Partner in Charge for Business and Tax Advisory at KPMG Fiji, Renu Chand will retire at the end of next month after close to two decades of service.
Ms Chand joined KPMG Fiji’s Business Services Group as a senior manager on January 30, 2005 and was admitted as a partner in January 2007.
While paying tribute to Ms Chand, Managing Partner, Lisa Apted said she has held several important and instrumental roles.
“From Head of People, Performance & Culture and Head of Learning & Development to Chief Information Officer and National IT Security Officer as well as Privacy Liaison Officer, and most recently, Partner in Charge of Fiji Business & Tax Advisory Services,” Ms Apted said.
“Renu was instrumental in the establishment of the initial pilot and ongoing Fiji Dynamix set up and our new Nadi office in 2023, following the integration with KPMG Australia,” she said.
“Leading by example and living KPMG’s values, Renu has continued to build trust, bring innovative solutions to her clients, and deliver exceptional client service experiences at every opportunity.
“Renu is a deeply trusted professional, and the high calibre of her diverse client base is testament to the value clients place in her.”
Transition of client engagements
Ms Apted said the transition of engagements across Renu’s portfolio of clients is underway, including personal introductions to new engagement partners.
She said continuity of engagements and maintaining a high quality of service is paramount to us as a firm, and we will work with clients to ensure a smooth transition.
“Any queries can be directed to me or to any of your new engagement partners as appropriate.”
A ground-breaking female business leader
She said Renu is a past president and treasurer of the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants and was the first female Fiji member to become a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
“She is immediate past president of the Fiji New Zealand Business Council and the first female to take on this role.
“Her tenure with the Council culminated this year in her leading the very successful Fiji & New Zealand Business Councils joint conference at which both Fiji and New Zealand’s Prime Ministers were keynote speakers.
“Her other roles included being a member of the Advisory Board of the School of Business and Economics at the University of Fiji, former Chair of the South Pacific Stock Exchange Annual Report competition, a former judge for the Women in Business awards, Prime Minister’s Excellence Awards and Fiji Sports Annual Awards.”
A focus on community and children
As well as her business and professional affiliations, Ms Apted said Renu serves on a number of non-profit and charitable organisations, some of which she has had very long and dedicated associations with.
“She sees her involvement increasing post-retirement as she pursues her passion for the safety and the wellbeing of children as well as continues to be a strong advocate of equal opportunities for women and diversity in the workplace.”
Renu’s plans
Ms Apted said Renu will take some time off to have a very well-deserved break.
“This will include spending some time with her parents and her three daughters who reside overseas.
“During the lead up to Christmas, Renu is visiting Mt. Taranaki and experiencing NZ’s biggest Spring celebration – Taranaki Garden Festival.
“Lots of deep-sea fishing is already booked with her husband in some of Fiji’s most popular as well as best kept secret wild fishing spots.”
Sota tale
Ms Apted said sota tale beautifully describes our bidding of farewell to Renu as she retires from the firm but remains a close friend and colleague to many of us, as well as a valued alumnus of the firm.
“We extend our very best wishes to Renu and are grateful that we can extend our deep gratitude for her leadership, strong role modelling and caring mentorship.
“We also extend our sincere thanks to her husband Parmesh and daughters Nandini, Surina and Raina for the unwavering support they have provided to Renu and for sharing her with us.
“Renu’s friendship, thoughtfulness, continuous drive for excellence and commitment to community are the hallmarks of her character which have left a deep impression on those, like me, who have had the honour of working with her.”
