NextGen and their Role in the Family Business – Mombasa

CMS Kenya | Daly Inamdar Advocates (CMS Kenya) is the oldest law firm in Kenya tracing its origins to 1899 with offices in Nairobi and Mombasa, and is part of CMS, a future-facing international firm with more than 5,000 lawyers across more than 75 offices in 40 countries worldwide.

As one of the most reputable full-service civil law practices, CMS Kenya engages in all aspects of corporate, commercial, real estate, and dispute resolution services, and is recognised by international legal directories, including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and IFLR1000.

With over 40 experienced lawyers, a number who are dual qualified (England and New York), handling significant, ground-breaking, and noteworthy commercial transactions, CMS Kenya’s clients include Kenyan-owned companies, multinational corporations, development institutions, foundations, and private clients conducting business across Africa.

Faizal is a UK qualified lawyer and for many years has worked and advised, and is a trusted advisor to institutions, corporates and families across the Middle East, Africa and India. Faizal specialises in banking and finance and has advised corporates, family offices and families including on their international investment and holding structures.

Alfan Jiwa is a seasoned banker with over a decade of experience in the Affluent segment of the Kenyan banking industry, having worked across several banks in different capacities. He possesses excellent analytical and financial advisory services to the growing and demanding markets across the regions. His Dynamic and results-oriented leadership skills have proven to cultivate strong client relationships, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth through strategic account management. Adept at understanding client needs and delivering tailored financial solutions that align with their goals. He is passionate about the Islamic shariah banking in providing sustainable and ethical finance. He is the main lead at the Standard Chartered Bank Kenya for Islamic Shariah Banking connecting through the International Banking Proposition and offering the clients global diversified portfolios and cross-border capabilities.

Abdulhafeez is a Partner at CMS Kenya | Daly Inamdar Advocates. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Certified Professional Mediator. He has over fifteen years’ experience advising clients in Corporate and Commercial transactions and Dispute Resolution. He is well respected by clients for his practical and concise approach to the giving of legal advice. His main practice areas are property acquisition and development, mergers and acquisitions, banking securities and finance, employment matters and general commercial transactions. He also handles civil litigation and arbitration in land, employment, marine cargo and P&I claims. Abdulhafeez trained with Kaplan & Stratton, Advocates, Nairobi and then joined Inamdar & Inamdar, Advocates in Mombasa in 2006 where he become a Partner in 2009. Since the merger with Daly & Figgis Advocates in 2016, he has been the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Mombasa Office.

Paul started his career in 1990 with Mourant Du Feu & Jeune and worked with several well-respected private wealth companies before joining Suntera in 2018. He is CGI Diploma qualified and is skilled in private client relationship management and administration of varied structures for high-net-worth individuals and Family Offices for wealth preservation and succession planning. In his current role, he oversees the management of a team and client portfolio with a predominant focus of East Africa. His asset focus is predominantly commercial and residential investment properties, investment managed portfolios, oil and gas, and marine and aviation.

Richa Khataw is an Associate at CMS Kenya | Daly Inamdar Advocates, operating from the Firm’s Mombasa office. She is a key member of the Corporate Commercial, Private Client, and Real Estate Departments, where she provides comprehensive legal services to a diverse clientele, including multinational corporations, diplomatic missions, private equity investors, and high-net-worth individuals. Richa is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya having earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Cape Town. Richa’s practice focuses on Corporate and Commercial law, where she advises clients on corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and the negotiation of commercial contracts, including legal due diligence for high-value transactions involving multinational investments. She is also experienced in Real Estate, having advised on commercial leases, retail space transactions, and property management schemes, including work for diplomatic missions.

Kevin is a Partner in the Corporate & Commercial Department of the CMS Kenya | Daly Inamdar Advocates. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with experience spanning over a decade. Kevin has deep knowledge of corporate commercial law and extensive experience in advising both local and foreign clients on a diverse range of corporate and commercial matters. He has been involved in a myriad of complex national and multinational transactions, including large M&A deals as well as multifaceted corporate debt and equity restructuring. Kevin is a member of both the Law Society of Kenya and the East Africa Law Society. He was nominated by the Nairobi Legal Awards 2023 in the best corporate commercial lawyer category.

Paraag Rasik Devani is a distinguished partner at Grant Thornton LLP Kenya, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the firm. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants UK (FCCA), a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (FCPA(K)), and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (FCPS(K)). With extensive experience in auditing, taxation, company secretarial matters, insolvency, accountancy, client investigations, share valuations, and computerization, Paraag has been a pivotal figure in the financial sector. Paraag's guiding philosophy is to be a thorough professional with a clear vision of goals, maintaining honesty, ethics, and justice at all times. He believes that true leadership is about making others better through one's presence and ensuring a lasting impact in one's absence.

Bidanya Barassa is a dynamic leader, wellness entrepreneur, and transformational mentor whose multifaceted career spans the worlds of corporate strategy, fashion, leadership development, and holistic health. Currently serving as the Managing Director of Top Image Africa, a family business. Top Image Africa is a leading experiential marketing and brand activation agency in 12 African Countries and this year, last month ,TIA celebrated 30 years of excellency. Bidanya has successfully steered the organization for over 10 years, positioning it as a benchmark of excellence and pan-African impact.

Jennifer N. Barassa is a vivacious marketer extraordinaire, Digital Financial Services (DFS) expert,a goal digger and a graduate of University of Nairobi. Jennifer was the first African lady teacher at Lenana School. She left teaching to get into the corporate world in 1980 and her career has spanned from being a Sales Representative, Marketing Education Coordinator, Brand Manager, Business Development Manager, Country Manager to a Group Account Director. In1995, Jennifer left McCann Erickson to start Top Image Africa Ltd. Top Image Africa Ltd is a Below the Line Agency with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The company has been in operation for the last 30 years offering quality and extensive Below the Line activities, Experiential, Agent Quality Management (AQM), Digital Financial Services (DFS) to Mobile Network Organizations (MNO) and Micro Finance Service (organisation) across Africa and now to Asia.