Meet Our Team
Board of directors
Handy Group is led by a strong management and Board-of-Directors team. Most of the board of Directors are members of Institute of Directors Of PNG. The team’s unique experience and insight allows the company to discover new opportunities and to grow to new heights.
Augustine Mano
Chairman
Mr Mano is the Chairman of Handy Group Limited and has a 20+ years working experience in the mining, oil, gas, hotel and property development and management.
Mr Mano is the longest serving Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Mineral Resource Development Company.
Mr. Mano graduated with Degrees in Economics and Arts majoring in Environmental Science from the University of Papua New Guinea and holds Master of Science in Petroleum Economics from Dundee University, Scotland.
He currently serves as Director on the board of MRDC, Mineral Resources Star Mountains, Mineral Resources Ok Tedi No. 2, Mineral Resources Ramu, Petroleum Resources Kutubu, Petroleum Resources Moran and Petroleum Resources Gobe. He is Chairman of the Pearl South Pacific Resort in Fiji, Star Mountains Plaza and Taumeasina Resort in Samoa. He is also serving as a Director on various company boards including Hevilift, PNG Air, Bank South Pacific and Ok Tedi Mining Limited.
Jesse Mano
Director
Mr Jesse Mano is an experienced executive and director with 10+ years’ experience in the finance and real estate industry.
He was appointed to the Handy Group Limited Board in May 2008. He has a Masters in Business, specializing in Professional Accounting from Australia’s leading university, Victoria University in Melbourne.
Currently serve in various boards in PNG, Fiji and Australia as board of Directors. Also member of PNG Institute of Directors, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Associate CPA Australia.
Dara Ola
Director
Mr Dara is a Company Director and has 39 years experience working in the Public Sector as Finance Manager and Senior Finance Examiner.
He is a member of the PNG Institute of Company Director and a business entrepreneur in PNG.
Joyce Mano
Director
Miss Mano is the Country Executive Director of Handy Finance Limited (Fiji & PNG). She holds a Master in Business Administration from the University of South Pacific and a Bachelor in Law from the University of Papua New Guinea.
With over ten 10+ years of professional and business experiences in PNG and Overseas, she is also an Entrepreneur in PNG and Overseas.
Sarah Kane
Company Secretary
Sarah Kane, an Australian citizen, is a highly qualified professional with a Bachelor of International Relations degree, which she obtained in 2012. She possesses expertise in Corporate Presentation, Corporate Communications, Publication of Corporate information, and Public & Media Relations. With her role as a Company Secretary, Sarah combines her educational background with her practical experience to effectively manage internal and external communication, publish relevant corporate information, and cultivate relationships with the public and media. Her qualifications and experience make her a valuable asset in driving successful marketing campaigns and maintaining strong corporate communication practices.
Senior Executives
Jesse Mano
Group Managing Director
Mr Jesse Mano is an experienced executive and director with 10+ years’ experience in the finance and real estate industry.
He was appointed to the Handy Group Limited Board in May 2008. He has a Masters in Business, specializing in Professional Accounting from Australia’s leading university, Victoria University in Melbourne.
Currently serve in various boards in PNG, Fiji and Australia as board of Directors. Also member of PNG Institute of Directors, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Associate CPA Australia.
Shiv Kumar
Chief Executive Officer
Shiv Kumar is the CEO of Handy Finance Fiji and PNG. With over 30 years of experience in finance and retail industries, he specializes in business and strategic planning, staff training and development, credit control and debtor’s management, and accounting. Mr. Kumar is skilled in Retail Finance Management, SME Savings and Lending Administration, Commercial Lending Administration, Banking, Risk Management, and Crisis Management. He holds an Executive MBA from Fiji National University and was a member of Fiji’s National Financial Inclusion Taskforce.
Jesse Mano - Group Managing Director
Mr Jesse Mano is an experienced executive and director with 10+ years’ experience in the finance and real estate industry. He was appointed to the Handy Group Limited Board in May 2008. He has a Masters in Business, specializing in Professional Accounting from Australia’s leading university, Victoria University in Melbourne. Currently serve in various boards in PNG, Fiji and Australia as board of Directors. Also member of PNG Institute of Directors, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Associate CPA Australia.
Shiv Kumar - Chief Executive Officer
Shiv Kumar is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) responsible for Handy Finance Fiji and PNG business. Mr. Kumar joined Handy Finance Fiji in 2014 and managed the overall operations in Fiji until July 2021 when following a restructure, he was appointed the CEO for Handy Finance Limited.
Mr. Kumar possesses some 30 years of experience in various industries and different levels of operations in Fiji and New Zealand. He has more than 10 years exposure in management roles, specializing in finance and retail industries, business and strategic planning, staff training and development, credit control and debtor’s management, and accounting. Further, Mr. Kumar possesses skills and exposure in Retail Finance Management, SME Savings and Lending Administration, Commercial Lending Administration, Banking experience, Risk Management, and Crisis Management.
Mr. Kumar holds Executive Master of Business Administration from Fiji National University. He also was a member of The Inclusive Products & Services Working Group under Fiji’s National Financial Inclusion Taskforce, a project of Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Fiji Bureau of Statistics from 2016 to 2019
Nilesh Maharaj - Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
With over 25 years of experience in Accounting, Finance & Management inclusive of Financial Management. Nilesh is a graduate, majoring in Accounting & Financial Management and Information Systems. He is currently pursuing his Postgraduate Diploma in Public Law. He is a self-made individual who has always believed in being practical and innovative. He has proven experience in Finance (Funding), Accounting, Taxation and has held many Senior Executive roles.