Cassini Partners are seasoned, experienced turnaround specialists with a long track record in delivering value from challenged corporate situations.
They have worked in tier-1 management consultancies and investment banks in London and Tokyo, leading engagements across many sectors including telecommunications, leisure & entertainment, mining & minerals, heavy and medium industry.
They built their careers in London, Paris, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo we have for many years specialized in Emerging Markets. They also have worked in North, West, East and South Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Indonesia.
Cassini Partners are all set to launch on May 2, 2018. Company official Alaa Oumansour discussed with The Nation the operations of Cassini and who should attend the official launch ceremony.
Is it true that Cassini Partners only operates in Pakistan?
Yes. Cassini is uniquely focused on Pakistan. We do not operate in any other country.
Who should be excited about Cassini’s launch?
We work closely with companies facing challenges who are seeking to grow. So Cassini’s launch should appeal to the owners of such companies, typically in manufacturing, transportation and logistics.
Cassini Partners' profile is quite extensive, you have experience of working in several other countries? What brought you to Pakistan?
We have had the pleasure of working in Pakistan for over 10 years now, and we have very much enjoyed working with our Pakistani colleagues and business partners. During this period the country has changed a lot, and we’re very excited about the current momentum and growth we see everywhere. We want to play our part and contribute to the success and growth of the country and the prosperity of its people.
You will be dealing with companies facing financial challenges. Would you like to elaborate the idea for our readers?
We have been helping companies and their owners overcome financial and operational challenges for 20 years. Sometimes the answer lies in changing management and investing. Sometimes it’s right for a company to change direction and enter a new market. And other times, the company’s numbers need to be fixed, and business performance improved. We’ve successfully tackled all these situations many times over, and we’re proud to have helped owners move on, and back to growth.
What factors contribute to making a company (industry) financially challenged at first place?
Companies of all sizes can face challenges at many times throughout the business cycle. And these challenges can come from many quarters: from a new generation taking over a family business, to an expansion plan not delivering quite what was planned, or to a dramatic change in the competitive landscape. Some of the challenges can be avoided through better planning and risk management.
Why should Government of Pakistan be excited on Cassini’s launch? Are you going to assist them in any way?
Driving growth across the industrial base is very complex and requires action across many fronts. We’re very impressed with the government’s efforts to promote growth, through the Board of Investment and other bodies, and we support these efforts wherever we can. We find that our agenda of growth is very much aligned to the government’s agenda for development, so it’s natural that we should support their efforts wherever we can.
Do you think that modernisation of transport and logistics will help revive the descending industrial sector of Pakistan?
Absolutely. Every economy needs infrastructure to flourish and grow, and we see the recent and ongoing investments in Pakistan’s infrastructure as providing a vital and sustained boost to the country’s economy overall. This will be one of many factors which will continue to drive growth in Pakistan.
Turnaround specialist is an attractive word for a vulnerable business? Would you like to discuss this term (turnaround specialist) with our readers?
It’s a term which has acquired many meanings over the years. In our version, we see the turnaround specialist as someone who gets very much involved in how a company works and takes a personal and highly engaged view on what steps can be taken to improve a company, and what needs to happen to return it to growth. We like to do this from the owner’s seat, so we can quickly turn our plans into action and drive results.
What are the positives of operating in Pakistan? There must some potential in this part of the world? Tell us something about that?
Pakistan is a fantastic country. We thoroughly enjoy working with the business and government community, and we’re very much impressed with the energy and diligence of our colleagues and business partners. We love the cities we work in and appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the countryside. Pakistan is a large economy with bright future ahead of it. The potential will only be harnessed if the energy is there, and we do see that energy everywhere!