Prof Sanawar Choudhury
FCA, PhD, Chartered Accountant
Entrepreneur – Academic – Philanthropist
In a complex world where decisions often gets bogged down in layers of bureaucracy and good ideas often wither and die, Dr Sanawar Choudhury has always proven to be the exception to the rule. He makes things happen, infusing those around him with infectious energy and passion empowering colleagues to think big, innovate ideas and arrive at transformational solutions. Sanawar stretches goals with such intensity and focus that anything but success is unthinkable.
Sanawar started his journey in 1975 when he was at the age of 9. He came to the UK to join his father (late) Al-Hajj Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Choudhury, accompanied by his mother (Late) Al-Hajj Shamsun Nehar and only sibling brother, Soiful.
He received his formal education in the UK. He completed a BA (Hons) Degree in Accounting and Finance in 1989, qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 1992. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting from the University of Exeter (EXON, 2005) – amongst the many accolades he has received from both the profession and industry throughout his conspicuous career.
In 2001, Sanawar settled his young family in Dhaka and joined Bangladesh Bank as a World Bank Consultant advising on corporate reporting, foreign exchange management and internal control, working with the then Governors of Bangladesh Bank, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.
In 2006 he returned to the UK with his wife Nasima, daughter Nazma and sons Shaheenur, Shajahan and Shafiul.
During his extensive career Sanawar has undertaken strategic consultancy assignments both in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, working mainly in the Financial Markets and Corporate Reporting. Sanawar currently runs a number of successful businesses that extend from Professional Training to Warranty to Car Supermarket to Hospitals to Property. Professionally, he is senior partner of, probably, the largest Chartered Accountancy firm of Bangladeshi origin in the UK, RCi Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors.
As social activist and notable philanthropist, Sanawar has extensive social projects in both the UK and in Bangladesh, funded through his Choudhury Foundation. Current projects include educational establishments in Sylhet and his village home in Khashila, Jagannathpur. He always tries to stand by the needy people. He thinks, if the backward section of the society is engaged largely in the mainstream development process, the country can gain momentum to accelerate the economy.
He is a member of many British Bangladeshi organisations including as a Vice President of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He deeply feels about his motherland. He says, we have challenges like many other countries. But, we know how to transform challenges into opportunities. He is hopeful that Bangladesh will lead the world sooner or later.
