Leadership

Experienced, effective leadership

Experienced, Effective Leadership

 

BW LPG India benefits from a strong team of leaders with deep experience in shipping, maritime operations, trading and investments. Leaders come from diverse backgrounds and ensure a balanced approach to how we do business with customers. We are guided by our Purpose, Vision and Values, and uphold high standards of integrity in all that we do. 

Board of Directors

Kristian Sorensen
Chairman

Kristian Sørensen
Board Member - Mark Ras
Member

Mark Ras
Masa Fujiwara
Member

Masanori Fujiwara
Board Member - Iver Baatvik
Member

Iver Baatvik
Board Member - Heather Cowan
Member

Heather Cowan
Chairman

Kristian Sørensen

Kristian Sørensen is Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is currently CEO of BW LPG. Mr Sørensen has over 20 years of experience in the LPG shipping industry where he has held several commercial and management positions. He started his career as a shipbroker in Lorentzen & Stemoco in 2002 before joining Inge Steensland AS (today Steem1960) in 2004 as a broker and later partner and Head of Gas department. From 2010-2013, he was responsible for expanding and heading its Singapore office. In 2016 he became CEO of Norwegian broking house Fearnleys, and also served as Deputy Group CEO for the Astrup Fearnley Group until 2021, when he joined Avance Gas as CEO.

Mr Sørensen joined BW LPG as Deputy CEO and Head of Strategy in September 2022. He spent two years in the Royal Norwegian Navy as a graduate of the Junior Naval Academy and holds a “Siviløkonom” degree from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). 

Member

Mark Ras

Mark Ras is a Member of the Board of Directors. Mr Ras is currently Managing Partner at Maas Capital Shipping B.V., one of the world’s leading institutional shipping equity investors. Its portfolio includes controlling and non-controlling stakes in shipping, intermodal and offshore services related assets. Mr Ras was Head of Department at Maas Capital when it was an independent subsidiary of ABN AMRO before it was acquired by EnTrust Global, a leading alternative asset management firm in 2021.

Mr Ras has an MBA from Nyenrode Business University.

Member

Masanori Fujiwara

Masanori Fujiwara is Commercial Director at GU Navigation Pte. Ltd. Since joining in 2019, he has led investment strategies and managed a diverse portfolio. Prior to GU Navigation, he developed various ventures in Offshore & Shipping fields at Mitsui & Co., Ltd., including Indian Flag specialized business. He started his career at Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) in 1997.

Member

Iver Baatvik

Iver has 10 years of investment banking background before joining BW LPG in 2018 working within the finance and commercial department.

Mr Baatvik has a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Oslo and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Administration from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington

Member

Heather Cowan

Heather Cowan has over 20 years of shipping experience on sea and on shore with Ship Owners and Technical Management Companies, including 13 years sailing in the Engine department. She joined BW LPG in 2016 as Senior Manager Fleet Supervision at BW LPG. She has held technical supervisory roles in addition to large-scale project management responsibilities.

Ms Cowan holds an unlimited Chief Engineer’s license.

Executive Leadership

Leadership Team - Captain Gaurav Bhatia
Director

Capt. Gaurav Bhatia
Leadership Team - Captain Rajesh Joshi
General Manager – Commercial Operations

Capt. Rajesh Joshi
Girish TN - Leadership team
Company Secretary

Girish T.N.
Anand K
Senior Manager – Accounts

Anand Krishnaraj
Director

Capt. Gaurav Bhatia

Capt. Gaurav Bhatia is Director of BW Global United LPG India Private Limited.

He was instrumental in the establishment of the joint venture between BW LPG & Synergy Group, and remains a key member of the team leading operations and strategy.

Capt. Bhatia has a career spanning three decades in shipping. He sailed for 16 years and is an experienced Marine Pilot. He also has deep experience in port infrastructure and management.

Capt. Bhatia joined Synergy Group in 2007 and since then has led different verticals within the Group. He also sits on the board of Indian National Ship Owners Association (INSA) and represents the company with all charterers and clients within India.

General Manager – Commercial Operations

Capt. Rajesh Joshi

Capt. Rajesh Joshi has 25 years of experience in shipping, including 18 years of sailing experience on gas carriers and oil tankers where he also accumulated experience in terminal requirements.

Capt. Joshi joined Synergy Group in 2015 as Marine Superintendent overseeing LPG Operations. He was promoted to General Manger – Commercial Operations with BW Global United LPG India Private Limited. He is currently the point of contact for major customers, and ensures flawless operations of our fleet of vessels.

Company Secretary

Girish T.N.

Girish T N has over eight years of experience in the field of secretarial compliances and vetting of contracts and agreements.

He joined the group Synergy Group in 2018 and currently is Company Secretary for BW Global United LPG India Private Limited.

Girish has completed Company Secretary certification from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and is a member of the said Institute. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in law.

Senior Manager – Accounts

Anand Krishnaraj

Anand Krishnaraj has over 14 years of experience in the field of financial management, assurance and taxation.

Mr Krishnaraj has engaged with organizations of all sizes and formats for assurance and tax consultancies before shifting his interest to financial management of ship owning and ship management entities. He has eight years of experience in shipping sector.

Mr Krishnaraj is a commerce graduate from University of Madras.

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