Cruising from being a student with a knack for mathematics to Head of Strategy and Principal Actuary at Zamara Group is everything Nikhil Dodhia envisioned in his career.
After schooling in Kenya, he earned a scholarship to attend the University of Sheffield, where he studied Computer Science and Mathematics. He later pursued a Master’s in Actuarial Science at Bayes Business School. But while his education provided the much needed technical expertise, it was his family’s support and a chance encounter with an actuary that steered him toward his true calling.
‘‘When in school, I had quite an avid passion for maths as well as computing. So, through that, my dad would introduce me to a couple of people here and there. One of the persons I met used to be my aunt’s neighbour; he was an actuary. He told me, ‘If you do have such a strong passion for maths, you know one of the careers to go into is to become an actuary’’’.
Nikhil spent his early career life abroad before coming back to move things locally. He worked for Canada Life, where he spent several years as an actuarial analyst before moving to KPMG, where he qualified as an actuary and took on roles in consulting.
"One thing that condition taught me is that the mind is a very powerful tool and so long as you are determined and you put your mind to it, anything is possible."
His path reached a new height when he transferred to KPMG East Africa, where he set up and led the actuarial practice, growing it into a million-dollar business.
At Zamara, Nikhil has had a steady climb. Initially brought on board as a principal actuary, he became instrumental in driving strategy for the group. He is responsible for overseeing the company’s various lines of business in their countries of operation, helping the group expand and solidify its position as a key player in the African and Middle Eastern markets.
He says his most remarkable achievement has been leading the establishment of Zamara’s office in the UAE.
Despite the technical nature of his work, Nikhil values the human side of business. ‘‘At Zamara, our higher purpose is to create a financially secure and prosperous society which includes coming up with solutions and looking at ways that we can make an impact within the world.’’
His personal life, however, has been a battle to defy gravity. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with acute cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that left him temporarily paralysed.
‘‘One thing that condition taught me is that the mind is a very powerful tool and so long as you are determined and you put your mind to it, anything is possible. My recovery has been almost three times better than what the doctors expected, given where I came from.’’
When not managing strategy and mentoring teams, Nikhil enjoys playing a variety of sports, including golf and paddle, often with his wife. He also indulges in his passion for wildlife photography, spending time capturing the beauty of Kenya’s landscapes and wildlife.
Looking to the future, Nikhil hopes his legacy will align with Zamara’s higher purpose. “I want to look back at the end of my career and know that I made an impact on the financial well-being and literacy of millions of people, If we can help create a more financially secure society, I will consider that my greatest achievement.”
-Marion Sitawa