<B>A visionary leader</B>

The general manager of BAT from 1994 to 1996 started, three weeks ago, as CEO of Phoenix Beverages. He is enjoying the challenge and has set himself many objectives…

His smile shows his friendliness. His behaviour shows his unselfishness. He likes to chat about everything and, above all, helping people is his priority. It is with this personality that Richard Wooding has settled in his new working environment at Phoenix Beverages Limited.

What has really helped him is his fluency in many languages. Indeed, if you hear him speaking French, you will think that he is French. But he’s British! He also speaks Portuguese and some Malay. And he intends to learn another language: “Sometimes I use some Creole words. I want to learn more. I think it is important to speak Creole when you are in Mauritius.”

Though he has just started at Phoenix Beverages Limited, he is ambitious for the business. “This is a great business, but it could be greater! There are some key things we need to do to develop the business not just in Mauritius but also in the region for exports. We want this business to reach a world-class standard! And we will!”

But one thing that is certainly going to help Richard improve the business is his experience. He has been at the head of many organisations in different places. His first job was for a paper firm called Wiggins Teape Paper where he spent three years as trainee, salesman, marketing executive and finally as sales manager. Then he moved into the commercial world and he also wanted to work overseas.

The real adventure started in 1983 when he started working for Rothmans International in West Africa - Gabon, Togo, Benin and Senegal - until 1993. It continued when he moved to Singapore in 1996 as Chairman of British American Tobacco (BAT). In 1999, he moved to Malaysia for one year and a half as area manager for the Asia Pacific Region of BAT. In 2002 he joined Heineken International as the general manager in Chad and Rwanda in 2005.

Fishing has been his number one hobby for over 40 years as his dad used to take him fishing when he was very young. Motorbikes and hunting are his other outdoor favourites. But, at home, if he is not watching television, he is reading or surfing on the Internet.

Richard was born in Coventry, England on 22nd March 1959. He went to school there before moving to the University of Birmingham for a BA in English. He is married to a Brazilian called Carmen and they have four children. Sarah (23) and Petra (21) are in Europe. Jenny (12) and Norman (11) are doing their secondary education in Mauritius.

Richard has many wishes for the future, whether for his work, family or himself. But he has three main goals: “First of all, I want to build a solid foundation for my family. Then, I would like to give the best education that I can manage to my children. Finally, I wish to be remembered as somebody who helped people. I like helping people to grow and achieve things. My dad taught me to do so!”