Satish Kanabar is a retired Banker having worked in Corporate Banking all his life. He retired from the role of a Corporate Director after 41 years with one of the major High Street Banks. During his career he led a number of Corporate Teams and assisted hundreds of Medium sized businesses realise their ambitions of successfully growing their businesses.
Satish also believed very strongly that organisations that are successful have a duty to put something back into the community. Over the years, his Team raised substantial amounts for a number of local children's charities. To him this was as satisfying as helping clients becoming more successful!
Having retired in 2014, Satish is busy pursuing his life outside of the Corporate world by not only utilising skills gained over the years but also things that provide a varied balance in life. He is a Trustee of Michael Sobell Hospice and also sits on the Finance Committee as well as chairing the Banking and Investment committee. He is a volunteer for Contact the Elderly. Satish also runs his own Consultancy business that seeks to help businesses grow.
Retirement gives an opportunity to take on fresh challenges and Satish is an keen walker having undertaken many climbing and walking expeditions including 3 times the London to Brighton Walk for various charities. A keen golfer, spiritual learning, Yoga and travel add variety although his Bucket list seems to be getting longer as his thrust for learning continues. He is well known in the community having also written articles for Asian Voice in the past.
Which place or city or country do you most feel at home?
Whilst I have been fortunate to have had an opportunity to travel widely, having spent 45 years in London, I definitely count London as my home...a city with much diversity and tolerance which is well respected around the world.
What are your proudest achievements?
Due to circumstances at the time, I had to leave school at the age of 16 and start full time work. Either directly or indirectly hundreds of people helped me during my career and I feel a sense of satisfaction that I reached such a senior position with a Global Bank. The journey taught me so much and took me to places I would never have done otherwise. I feel eternally grateful to all those that gave me a helping hand along the way.
What inspires you?
Kindness. Especially from those I least expect. In my life I have come across many situations where those with little are the first ones to help those in need. I see it here in UK where whenever there is a catastrophe somewhere in the world ordinary people who are not well off are the first ones to put their hands in their pockets to help. I have also seen, when travelling in India, how quickly the poor people willingly offer their beds to their overseas guests whilst they sleep on the floor.
What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Initially in my career I felt that not having had a University Degree was holding me back. However I soon realised that actual experience and perseverance was of equal importance and so I was able to progress regardless. I did however study in the evenings and obtained my Banking Degree. When occasionally I came across any difficult bosses, I had learnt from my experience how to work around them. I soon realised that there was something to learn even from bad leaders...if nothing else I learnt how not to behave!
Who has been the biggest influence in your career to date?
These have mainly been people outside of my work environment. Firstly my immediate family who supported me by sacrificing so much as I was making my way up the Corporate ladder, a special mentor and a very decent human being who was with me most of the time and guided me on many occasions and still does (he is now a true friend and I still look up to him as my mentor and who would be embarrassed if I say his name here). Finally two very special people...Morari Bapu and Pragjibhai Ladwa who whilst influencing my life outside of my career, helped instil in me certain values that helped me in my career especially when I came across challenges where I needed more than just normal "business solutions" taught in text books.
What is the bet aspect of your current role?
Being able to choose where and how I spend my time. For example I can choose which clients I want to deal with, which charities to work for and leisure and learning areas that give me most satisfaction. As I learn more, I am finding that there is much I do not know and with little time, it is good to have the opportunity to choose what I believe to be right for me.
And the worst?
Wish I had more time to work on my "bucket list".
What are your long term goals?
To continue to do things that make a difference to others, become a better human being and not have any regrets when my time is up.
If you were Prime Minister what one aspect would you change?
Create genuine opportunities for those with aspirations to improve their lives so they too can have a better lifestyle and thus contribute by way of taxation. The huge division that we currently seem to have between the "haves" and the "have nots" is not good for the future of any nation. This does not mean that the rich have to become poor to make the poor rich. There has to be fairness in society to enable all to improve their lives.
If you were marooned on a desert island which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Most probably Jiddu Krishnamurti who was one of the greatest thinkers of our time. He had a great skill in letting others think for themselves, question everything and work towards one's own mental freedom.
