Vandana Ramdenee-Nathoo: Non-Exec Director

Vandana Ramdenee-Nathoo

BSc Computer Science and Business Studies, 1997

Based in:

Mauritius

Came to study at Warwick from:

Mauritius

First job:

Audit Trainee, KPMG (in Reading)

Strangest interview question:

Honestly, I love talking, so nothing feels strange! Whether it’s “sell me this pen” or “if you were a fruit, what would you be?” I treat every question as a chance to share my story, show my thinking, and maybe even make someone smile. But I've had really strange answers to some interview questions I've asked!

Best piece of advice received:

1. Listen more, speak less. Especially in boardrooms, where executive directors often know their business better than you. Observation, understanding, and thoughtful input make a far stronger impression than talking for the sake of it.

2. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. This isn't career based but it reminds me of the profound impact of parenting: shaping values, resilience, and leadership in the next generation is as important as any career achievement.

Advice to graduates:

1. Lean into your network – it’s more powerful than you realise.

Most of my opportunities came from people who knew my work, trusted me, and opened doors. So, start building those relationships early. Stay curious, stay connected, and show up with value. Your network will do more for your career than any perfectly crafted CV.

2. Let your name stand for ethics and good governance. In this sector, your reputation really is everything. Make decisions you can be proud of, communicate honestly, and hold high standards. It is possible to do business and sleep well at night, and the people who work this way go the furthest in the long run.

Ambitions for the future:

I deeply value my current roles, which bring both professional satisfaction and the work-life balance I prioritise at this stage. Going forward, if I take on additional board positions, I would continue to focus on organisations with impeccable governance records. I’m also keen to engage more with charity boards, where I can make a meaningful and lasting impact.

I currently serve as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the boards of three collective investment vehicles at MCB Capital Markets, one of which is listed jointly on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and the Botswana Stock Exchange; on the board of J. Kalachand & Co. Ltd; and recently on the board of ENL (now Almarys) Limited. I am also a member of the Ethics Committee of Small Step Matters.

Describe your current role and what attracted you to it.

Being a board member is a role I had long aspired to take on as I approached my 50s. It offers the balance I was seeking – meaningful strategic contribution without being tied to the day-to-day operational demands. I enjoy being at the helm of high-level decision-making, helping guide the organisation’s direction, governance, and long-term growth.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

What attracted me most is the opportunity to apply decades of experience in a way that creates real value: challenging constructively, supporting management, and contributing to stronger oversight and strategy. I am passionate about growing the business and, if I’m honest, sometimes even a little over-enthusiastic, but always with the organisation’s best interest at heart.

What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?

The most valuable skill I gained at Warwick was deep resilience. In the early 90s, very few people in Mauritius or even worldwide had even heard of coding, and I began a degree in Computer Science without any prior exposure to IT. It was daunting, and I had to put in far longer hours than most. But I decided early on that I wouldn’t quit, even if I knew I might never pursue that career. That determination to push through steep learning curves and stay committed has shaped every chapter of my professional life since.

Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at Warwick?

I always had a sense that I would eventually become an entrepreneur, following the path taken by both sides of my family. But at the time I chose Warwick, I didn’t have a rigid or predetermined career plan. What I did have was ambition, determination, and the willingness to work hard in whichever direction would allow me to grow. I trusted that if I committed fully, the right opportunities, and the right path, would reveal themselves.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My mornings begin with school drop-offs, which have become some of my most cherished moments with my children, a quiet window to connect before the day unfolds.

I prioritise fitness, both for my wellbeing and the way it resets my mindset. I’ve recently added resistance training, and it has brought a new balance of strength and energy into my routine.

The workday is a blend of board papers, emails, and meetings, paced across the day. I also dedicate time to reading the news, which is an essential part of staying informed and grounded in my roles.

Mealtimes are meaningful in our home. As a vegetarian family, we put real thought and care into our food, it’s one of the ways we slow down and reconnect.

And I often end my day with a busy social calendar, which I enjoy. Meeting people, sharing conversations, and learning from diverse experiences brings a lot of joy and richness into my life.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

I’ve had two defining challenges in my career.

1. Finding work–life balance when my children were young. In my early years in finance, I often came home to find my children already asleep. It became clear that something had to change. So, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: I resigned at the peak of my career.

I stepped back with the quiet confidence that my Warwick degree, my experience, and – most importantly – my reputation would bring me back when I was ready. And they did. That period taught me that careers can pause and still flourish, as long as your foundations are strong.

2. Navigating a CEO who didn’t trust the management team she inherited. This was a particularly tough moment. I was pregnant at the time, and it would have been easy to walk away immediately. But the resilience I developed at Warwick helped me stay grounded, stay professional, and not react impulsively.

Eventually, the entire leadership team resigned, not as a coordinated move, but because the environment had become untenable. Still, that experience strengthened my conviction in strong governance and healthy leadership cultures.

Both challenges reinforced one truth for me:

Your skills and qualifications matter, but it’s your character: resilience, integrity, and long-term reputation, that ultimately carries you through.

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were applying for jobs?

Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience, challenge, and role I took taught me something valuable and shaped the professional I am today. But yes, I would love to click 'undo' on some of my smaller mistakes!

What should current students or recent alumni be doing to move their careers forward?

For students and recent alumni, professional networking is essential. Yet too often, it’s treated as a transactional exchange – business cards or LinkedIn connections. True networking is deeper: it’s about presence, authenticity, and relationships that endure. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building trust.

Recently, my son, who's at Warwick in his second year, attended his first cheese-and-wine networking event and confessed he “had nothing left to say” at the end. A timeless truth in networking: you don’t always have to speak; you just need to listen. Most people love talking about themselves. If you show genuine interest and ask thoughtful questions, you’ll never run out of things to say. A practical tip: keep abreast of what’s happening in the world. A well-read, informed perspective not only opens and keeps conversations flowing but also makes you memorable.

And remember: your network is your fixed deposit. Cultivate it, enjoy it, and most importantly, stay real.

If there is one thing my career has taught me, it is this: many professional opportunities came from my network. From my early days in banking, to launching and growing an entrepreneurial venture, and later stepping into boardrooms, every role and opportunity has been the direct result of trusted relationships.

This is why I believe networking is not a side skill, it is the very foundation on which careers are built.