7 Questions on Leadership

Name: Peter Huang


Title: CEO


Organisation: BESTT Group

After losing his job at the university due to the Tian An Men Square incident, Peter Huang came to Australia in 1991 with $100 in his pocket, no friends, no relatives, no government subsidy, and very little English.

He did dishy and professional cleaning for his first two years in Australia before getting into real estate in 1993. Within four months, he became the no.1 agent in Qld amongst Nationwide Realty's 55 offices. He opened his own real estate company in 1995, built his double award-winning Pacific Center in 2001, and was ranked 32 by PWC amongst Qld's top 400 private companies in 2003.

Under BESTT Group, its group of companies now include Yong Real Estate, Claybourn Fashion, BESTT Proeporties and many other companies like The Kooralbyn Valley resort and Brisbane River Golf Course, with their development projects' completion value of around $1b

Name: Peter Tyler

Title: Non Executive Director/Chair

Organisation: Various

I have led companies in the fields of Advanced Composites, Technical Plastics, Electronics/Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
I have a passion for Leadership, Manufacturing and the development of people.
I currently Chair a privately owned Environmental Products and Services business, a PE owned digital kiosks business and a VC/PE backed AI/Composite Tooling Business. I am also acting as a Board Advisor on the Marine sector to a VCT backed, London based, advanced composites company. I have previously held Board roles in the UK, US, Netherlands, UAE, and Slovakia.

Name: Prashanth E G

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Organisation: Market Simplified

Prashanth Ganapath has over 20 years of broad experience in building profitable strategic business units, driving business line growth, and streamlining operations. In his current role as COO at Market Simplified, he plays a crucial role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. Prashanth is committed to delivering innovative business strategies and client-focused solutions that enhance efficiency and profitability for the organization.
Under Prashanth's leadership, Market Simplified has become a leading provider of mobile-first digital solutions for financial institutions. He has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge technologies that have transformed the way financial institutions engage with their customers. Prashanth's ability to identify emerging trends and leverage them to create innovative solutions has helped Market Simplified stay ahead of the curve in the fintech industry.

Name: Professor Silvester Henderson


Title: Professor & Chair (Tenure) & Dean (Acting/Past)*


Organisation: Los Medanos College/College of Alameda*

Professor Silvester Carl Henderson
Recently honored with the A2MEND Educational Leadership Award -2020, Professor Henderson is also the recipient of the Albert Nelson 2019 Marquis “Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award”. Professor Silvester Carl Henderson is a nationally recognized Professor, educator, conference motivational speaker, business owner, respected real estate investor, community artistic organizer, musician/artist, internet radio blog personality, and conductor of the Gospel Song.

Professor Henderson was recently Re-Elected to the “Executive Committee” for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC). Comprised of 14 members, the ASCCC "Executive Committee" is the major governing board, that advises and advocates for changes and implementation regarding new educational laws and policies. This body supports academic and professional matters for 72,000 California Professors and two million, two hundred thousand students. As the Chair of the “Part-Time Committee” and Emeritus Chair of the “Equity Diversity & Action Committee”, for the ASCCC, Professor Henderson, advocates, for Faculty Diversity, Foster Youth, Inmate Education, and academic access for African American Males. Inducted into the “2017 Pittsburg Entertainment and Arts Hall of Fame”, Professor Henderson earned his Bachelor of Music and his Master of Arts Degrees from San Francisco State University.

He taught there from 1984 to 1994 as a Professor/Lecturer of Piano and Music Theory. During the Fall of 2016, The Gospel Academy Awards, Inc. presented Professor Henderson with a “Gospel Music Academy Award” for his efforts in promoting “Higher Education”, through the usage of African American Gospel Music. Presently, he serves as the Full-Time Tenure Professor of Choral/Vocal Activities and Emeritus Chair of the Music Department at the Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California.

Professor Henderson directs the College Chorus, Chamber Chorale, and the Gospel Choir. In addition to those responsibilities, he also teaches voice classes, applied vocal lessons, music theory, class piano, musicianship, classical piano, and gospel piano. During the Fall of 2000, Professor Henderson developed a “Gospel Piano Curriculum”, which was the only collegiate academic course of its type in the State of California. Mr. Henderson is an Emeritus Professor/Lecturer of African American Studies and Music from the University of California, Berkeley, where he served as the original director of the internationally acclaimed Young Inspiration Gospel Choir (YIGC) from 1985 – 2005. In April of 1992, YIGC recorded their first live album entitled, “The Gospel Experience”.

The album is placed in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute’s Gospel Music Division, and accordingly, they named YIGC as the "finest" university gospel choir in the nation. The choir sold over one hundred thousand copies of this historic recording. In November of 1998, The “Second Gospel Experience” was released, which has been shared by over forty-five thousand purchasers. The Professor’s achievements can be found in “Gospel Digest” World News and World News. In January 2015, Professor Henderson was appointed as Professor/Lecturer of Choral/Vocal Activities for the College of Alameda’s Department of Music. From this appointment, the “Gospel Explosion Community Concert Series” was created.

Professor Henderson has organized community concerts and performed with celebrity classical opera artists, gospel, jazz, broadway stars, rhythm and blues artist, and musical greats such as Richard Smallwood, Reverend Daryl Coley, the late Walter Hawkins, and the Love Center Choir, Kurt Carr, Quincey Fielding, Ron Kenoly Sr., V. Michael McKay, the late Helen Stephens and the Lighthouse Singers of Marin, Ca, Micah Stampley, Jon Gibson (the artist who paired with Stevie Wonder for the remake of “Have a Talk with God”), Billy Porter (New York Broadway Star and Soundtrack Artist for Bette Midler’s “First Wives Club”), James Iglehart (New York Broadway Star from Aladdin), Vesta, Howard Hewett, Kenny Lattimore, Gerald Albright, LaToya London, Chris Walker, Kathy Taylor Brown, Kevin LeVar, Anita Wilson, and most recently Keisha Renee, the vocal artist from the TV show entitled “The Voice”.

Mr. Henderson has served as musician and Minister of Music for over thirty-eight years at the Bay Area’s prominent Palma Ceia Baptist Church, located in Hayward, CA. During the Professor’s early administrative leadership, one of Silvester’s most endeared accomplishments was to manage, organize and lead the entire department to record their “First Album/CD” entitled, “One Body In Christ”. Over ten thousand copies of this highly successful musical creation were sold and have been shared with listeners as far as Japan and Africa. Over the course of close to forty years, Professor Henderson has been the recipient of many prestigious educational, religious, and community awards. He won the National Piano Competition from the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., which was founded by the late gospel legend Reverend James Cleveland.

He was also nominated by the Bay Area’s Gospel Academy Awards as the Outstanding Pianist of the Year from 1992-1996. Professor Henderson was named the “Most Influential African American Educator” by the Intel Corporation and the City Flight News magazine, in 2001. The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. awarded him the "Outstanding Community Leader Award. Professor Henderson was honored with two City Proclamations by the California cities of Pittsburg and Martinez. These honors were awarded for his continuing efforts in using Gospel Music as a tool to support the value of “Higher Education”.

Both cities named the first Saturday in May, “Gospel Celebration Day”. The Offices of Emeritus Congressman Pete Starks, Congressman Eric Swalwell, along with Emeritus Mayor Michael Sweeney, have bestowed upon Professor Henderson “Congressional Honors” and “Certificates of Commendation”, for bringing academic recognition of the artistic value of the gospel song through unifying African American and Latino American communities. California Assembly Members Johan Kleh, Jim Frazier, Susan Bonilla, and Senators Liz Figueroa, Ellen Corbett and Mark DeSaulnier, have presented Professor Henderson with many California Legislature Resolutions and Political Documents of Recognition for his extraordinary musical achievements and his work as an educator and artist to the people of Contra Costa.

“Mr. Gospel/Jazz Production (Professor Henderson’s Performing Company) has arranged entertainment for personalities such as Reverend Jesse Jackson – “Operation Push” (Silicon Valley Branch, Honorable Emeritus Assemblyman Willie Brown, La Casa de las Madre, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and many noted political and county organizations. The professor was also awarded the 2004 “NAACP Educational Integrity Award”. On April 25, 2005, the University of California at Berkeley, College of Letters and Science, presented Professor Henderson with an “Educational Commendation” for his twenty years of highly valued service to the university and campus community.

Registered in the “International Star Registry” was an honor bestowed upon Professor Henderson on May 7, 2005. Professor Henderson is included in the “Who's Who Among America's Teachers”, and “Cambridge Who’s Who Registry” of Executive and Professionals. Additionally, he is part of the Remington’s Registry of Professionals, which only recognizes one thousand of the most noted “Successful Executives and Professionals” in the United States, once a decade, as part of the Library of Congress. “Professor Henderson was honored on April 29, 2006, by the 35th Academy of Gospel Music Awards” in the area of “Sacred Choral Music”. On July 28, 2011, AOL’s “Patch Online” Newspaper featured a story that “Celebrated” his many achievements.

On January 12, 2012, he was presented with the “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Community Award” from Dow Chemical located in Pittsburg, CA. This award was given to him because of his highly successful efforts in promoting higher education and diversity through the usage of Gospel Music. Moreover, the Professor was the winner of the “Professor of the Year” award for the 2012-2013 academic years, sponsored by the Los Medanos College Academic Senate. Professor Henderson has been the owner of “Mr. Gospel Properties and Investments” for close to three decades. Because of his business acumen, the San Francisco Chronicle honored the Professor with a featured story on August 7, 2012, entitled, “Mr. Gospel lifted by Music, Investments and Houses”.

This article is an international publication of his success, business acumen and unstoppable perseverance. Professor Henderson was named "Quarterfinalist" for the International Grammy Association's Music Educator Award, 2014. During the Fall of 2013, he was appointed “Academic Senate President” for Los Medanos College. On April 26, 2014, Professor Henderson was awarded the 2014 “Community Service Award” from the East County Branch of the NAACP. On October 21, 2014, Professor Henderson was presented with the 2014 “Art Recognition Award” from the Contra Costa County Arts and Culture Commission.

On July 1, 2016, Professor was voted/appointed as “President” of the “Faculty Senate Coordinating Council” for the Contra Costa Community College District. This position required the Professor to serve as a communication link between the Senates of the participating campuses and the District Chancellor and/or his/her representatives. Most recently Professor Henderson served as the Acting Dean of STEAM for College of Alameda. Under this post, he served as the central manager for the Divisions of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Professor Silvester Carl Henderson’s educational objective is to ensure a permanent academic home for African American Music within Higher Education.

Professor Henderson married Cecile Henderson during his early twenties. The Professor resides in Stockton, California, and is the father of three daughters named Carlena, Celisse, and Charde.

Name: Radesh

Title: Retired pensioner

Organisation: Jalaka concrete

Left school std 5 worked from photographer to owner to being bankrupt at 20 to start as driver n end up being director of a listed company n after 28 years conflict of interest started a cement company bought a manufacturing company rebranded ran 15 years but during COVID lock down struggled financially but during the July riots in Durban factory was looted with property n life in danger for keeping people in employ n circumstance not conducive decided to have a holiday from working n looking for ways to improve human relations for conducive n peacefull living on our planet by looking after our soil n air n water as money cannot buy these elements for our future generation.

Name: Rahil


Title: Chief Information Officer


Organisation: Essar Oil UK Ltd

Accomplished and results-driven expert with 33+ years of expertise in driving strategic initiatives and delivering sustainable economic value. Trusted advisor at CXO levels for renowned organisations including Enron, BG, Tata, and Essar Group. Adept in board advisory, governance, and management roles across diverse sectors such as Energy (Oil & Gas), Utilities (Gas & Power), EPC, Manufacturing, Telecom, and Consultancy.

Excels in executive management, corporate governance, M&A transition/integration implementation, and business strategy. Recognised for expertise in enterprise performance management, business process transformation, and leading change programs. Exceptional consulting skills enabling the delivery of best-in-class client services. Proven ability to lead and thrive in dynamic international environments, with hands-on experience in the UK, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia.

Name: Rajendra Deshpande


Title: CEO


Organisation: Business Value India

As a Consultant and Trainer, my purpose is to analyze and Develop Business Value for organizations and individuals.

My strength is my innovative analytical mindset and powerful diverse network. I am honored to be nominated as a member of Leaders Excellence, Harvard Square. an exclusive members-only club for business leaders. I am One of the few individuals who have research in social science and Business Management. This helps me in Having a Holistic Perspective of issues that we deal in different Organizations. This helps me in making a difference with Business Leaders.

He is one of the few professionals in the world having successfully integrated synergy of acclaimed Research in Managerial & Social Sciences. Was Invited By Leading Institutions and Universities in the USA, South Africa, IIM, and TISS in India. He is a Distinguished author, Keynote speaker, and Guest speaker. Rajendra Deshpande has total international experience of more than 50 K hours and 20k Sales and Marketing interactions. in Pharma, Healthcare, Travel, Tourism, Domains.

Last Five years working as Business Value Development Consultant. He advises Businesses, Start Ups, Incubation centers, Individual Executives, MBA students, faculties for Career growth and Business Models for growth. He has established and Developed Pharmaceuticals businesses, Education Institutions, Travel, Tourism in last 30 yrs. Has Worked in International American Hospitals, Pharmaceutical companies as Head of Marketing, Trainer, and Consultant. He is active in social organizations as a National General Secretary of the Leading Social Organization for Constructive program.

Name: Rakesh Sharma

Title: ceo

Organisation: Business Supplies and Equipment

Accounting to Share brokering then mine and finally logistic

Name: Ram C. Pal


Title: Founder, Managing Director & Group CEO


Organisation: Nakshatra Business Management & Udisha Studios

I am a distinguished leader known for my exceptional skills and transformative leadership. With a strong educational background and extensive experience, I have made a significant impact in various organizations.
Having obtained a master's degree in business administration, I honed my leadership abilities and developed a deep understanding of effective management strategies. Throughout my career, I have held key leadership positions in multiple industries, guiding teams and organizations towards success. I am recognised for my visionary thinking and ability to inspire others. I have a talent for identifying opportunities and implementing innovative solutions that drive growth and deliver exceptional results.
My strategic mindset and forward-looking approach have been instrumental in navigating challenges and transforming businesses. As a leader, I am known for fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. I believe in empowering my team members, encouraging their professional development, and leveraging their unique skills and perspectives to achieve shared goals.
My approachable demeanor, excellent communication skills, and approach to mentorship have made my a respected and admired leader. My leadership style is characterized by integrity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. I am dedicated to continuous improvement, embracing change, and guiding my team through various transformations. My exceptional leadership has not only propelled organizations to new heights but has also positively influenced the professional growth and success of those around me. With a proven track record of accomplishments, I continue to make a profound impact as a leader, inspiring others and leaving a lasting legacy in the organizations I have served.

Name: Ramesh


Title: Founder


Organisation: The Mindspring

Ramesh is an accomplished Certified Leadership Coach, Digital Partner, and C-Suite Advisor with a track record of leading successful transformations for F500 organisations. Before becoming a full-time Leadership Coach and C-suite advisor, Ramesh worked for over three decades in the IT industry across geographies, spending nearly a decade in the USA. He previously led business divisions with revenues exceeding $300 million and scaled technology delivery organisations to 4000+ associates.

Name: Rana Pratap Singh

Title: Executive Vice President - Digital Transformation

Organisation: Pine Labs

Global Technology Leader with two decades of experience in leading Global Engineering Teams for directing end-to-end Enterprise Solutions activities comprise design, architecture and implementation of software products and services including customer management across US, EMEA, and APAC markets.
Possess in-depth expertise in working across Fintech, Utility IoT, Energy, POS, BFSI, E-commerce, Business Analytics, Security Solutions and Embedded Systems domains. Proven organization management and leadership track with exceptional talent development and management skills. Received several corporate and global recognitions for the innovative products engineering and deployments.
Active member of CII, ASSOCHAM, ETtech, FICCI, NASSCOM, IEEE, Smart Energy Network, UBS, Startup India, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, SVS and various FinTech forums.

Name: Rangaraj Perumal


Title: CFO


Organisation: Gloabl Pipelines Group

Seasoned finance professional qualified to B.Com., ACA,CPA,CMA, ICWA and CFA- level I with 23 years’ experience in industries of varied interests in UAE/ MENA and India ranging from Infrastructure to Equipment leasing and transportations, Engineering to Contracting, Oil & Gas to Aviation support services, FMCG to Retail, manufacturing from Paper to PCBs, LV switchgear and sheet metal food manufacturing, having excellent expertise in Strategy, financial management, Fund raising, Corporate restructuring, M & A, Buy and sell side advisor, Business to enterprise valuations. Risk management to compliance, IFRS to US GAAP, Taxation, ERP and MIS.