ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
The FounderSyed Humayun Kabir, former chairman of Renata Ltd. (previously Pfizer Bangladesh Limited) and Founder of SAJIDA Foundation, was among the country's most respected business professionals and philanthropists. Aside from his illustrious career, those who knew him speak of a man of unflinching integrity, and of a life well lived with a strong sense of ethics who always saw the good in people. So, he took the unique step of vesting the majority of Renata's shares with SAJIDA Foundation.
1931
HOW IT ALL
BEGAN
Born in Calcutta in 1931, Syed Humayun Kabir was one of five children of his father, Syed Golam Kabir, and mother, Sara Kabir. He lost his mother at the tender age of four. His father's government career meant that he moved across various schools while growing up. Mr Kabir obtained an Honours degree in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka. He subsequently received his post-graduate degree in Pharmacy from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.
Having lost their mother at
a very early age,
Syed Humayun Kabir,
Kaniz Fatema, Alia Amin,
and Zohra Amin held a
strong bond with their father
during their formative years
1957
THE EARLY
YEARS
Mr. Kabir started his career in 1957 as an Assistant Manager at the Rashidpur Tea Estate in Sylhet. Here he married Sajida Fahmi. In 1963, Mr. Kabir moved back to Dhaka to join Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd. as a Senior Manager.
“In all economic development activities of our Chamber, he volunteered to render guidance, help, and cooperation. He discharged the onerous responsibilities of the President of this Chamber between 1974 and 1984. Our Chamber respectfully remembers his contributions to the Chamber's cause."
SYED NASIM MANZUR
PRESIDENT
METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
Mr Kabir distributing relief
to the children of plant workers
in the early 1960s
1972
From Pfizer to Renata:
TAKING OVER THE REINS
After becoming Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd.’s first Managing Director, Mr. Kabir worked his way up to be one of the most successful CEOs in Pfizer’s global business empire.
Syed Humayun Kabir handing over donations on behalf of Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd. to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after the great famine of 1974.
Conversion of Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd.
to Renata Ltd.
1972
TRANSFORMING BRAC TO BECOME
A FORCE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Syed Humayun Kabir played a pivotal role as a governing body member in various capacities from 1974 till 2015. Under his leadership, BRAC expanded its reach, implementing innovative programs in education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. Kabir's strategic vision and commitment to social justice shaped BRAC into a dynamic force for positive change, inspiring its ongoing efforts to empower marginalized communities.
Syed Humayun Kabir was
the Chairman of the
governing body of BRAC
from 1982 to 2001
and he continued as a
governing body member
till 2015
“His excitement and encouragement was an invaluable contribution to BRAC’s success. He has passed on his ideals and principles to his family organisation, SAJIDA Foundation.
I hope that Syed Humayun Kabir will be remembered as a pioneer for both BRAC and SAJIDA Foundation and both will be part of his legacy."
SIR FAZLE HASAN ABED
FOUNDER & CHAIRPERSON
BRAC
1979
MCCI:
AN ESTEEMED BUSINESS LEADER
Syed Humayun Kabir, a respected businessman and capable leader, served as the President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) from 1979 to 1980. He also served as the President of MCCI from 1984 to 1985, earning high esteem and fulfilling onerous responsibilities.
Syed Humayun Kabir was
the Chairman & President
of the MCCI, from 1979-1984
and 1984-1985, respectively
"Our Chamber respectfully remembers his contributions to the Chamber's cause. We also remember his leadership in our journey ahead."
Syed Nasim Manzur
President, MCCI
1988
AmCham:
PIONEERING A BUSINESS FORUM
Syed Humayun Kabir, as the founding President, spearheaded the establishment of the American Bangladesh Economic Forum (ABEF) in 1988, which subsequently evolved into the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) in 1996.
Mr Kabir was the
founding President of AmCham
1993
SAJIDA:
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Despite Syed Humayun Kabir's remarkable success in the corporate world, he was a simple, humble, compassionate, and conscientious man who was deeply devoted to helping the poor, disadvantaged and underserved. Based on Mr. Kabir's vision and commitment to serving those in need, the model for a unique social enterprise emerged as SAJIDA Foundation. SAJIDA owns 51% shares of Renata Limited, an enterprise that invested the majority of its holdings in charity. Syed Humayun Kabir's humble and philanthropic worldviews have structured the organisation’s unique set of values.
A promise that lasted
a lifetime; A gift
impacting millions
“SAJIDA Foundation served as a manifestation of Humayun's belief in the true meaning of his faith that all wealth is but a trust, which should be invested in doing good for the less privileged.”
REHMAN SOBHAN
BANGLADESHI ECONOMIST
FOUNDER, CENTRE FOR POLICY DIALOGUE
Inauguration of the
SAJIDA Hospital in Keraniganj
1993
PIONEERING LEADERSHIP
at the Centre for Policy Dialogue
Syed Humayun Kabir played a pivotal role in establishing and leading the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Bangladesh. As its founding Executive Director, he guided CPD in becoming a prominent think tank, known for its rigorous research and evidence-based policy recommendations. Mr Kabir's involvement was instrumental in shaping CPD's reputation and impact on policy discourse in the country.
Syed Humayun Kabir was
the founding member and trustee
of Centre for Policy Dialogue
from 1993 till 2015
"Kabir Shaheb represented a breed of people who lived by the standards which they wished to see in others and in our country."
DEBAPRIYA BHATTACHARYA
DISTINGUISHED FELLOW,
CENTRE FOR POLICY DIALOGUE
2015
A LASTING
LEGACY
SAJIDA Foundation has come a long way since 1993, when it was presented as a gift to his wife, Sajida Kabir, for their 25th wedding anniversary. The organisation has grown on the shoulders of passionate workers and the collective effort to understand on-ground needs before addressing them.
Syed Humayun Kabir
with his family
Mr. Kabir passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind an indelible legacy that lives on with SAJIDA's work and a life that continues to inspire people to serve those less privileged and those left behind.
Career Highlights
| Year | Title | Organization | Title & Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957-1963 | Assistant Manager | Rashidpur Tea Estate, Sylhet | Assistant Manager Rashidpur Tea Estate, Sylhet |
| 1972-1994 | Chairman & Managing Director | Pfizer Laboratories Ltd. (Bangladesh) | Chairman & Managing Director Pfizer Laboratories Ltd. (Bangladesh) |
| 1972-2015 | Member | Governing Body of BRAC | Member Governing Body of BRAC |
| 1979-1980 | Chairman | Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) | Chairman Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) |
| 1981-1982 | President | Bangladesh Employers Association | President Bangladesh Employers Association |
| 1982-2001 | Chairman | Governing Body of BRAC | Chairman Governing Body of BRAC |
| 1984-1985 | President | Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) | President Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) |
| 1986-1988 | Senior Fellow | Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies | Senior Fellow Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies |
| 1991-2003 | Executive Director | SAJIDA Foundation | Executive Director SAJIDA Foundation |
| 1991-2003 | President | Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) | President Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) |
| 1993-2015 | Founding Member and Trustee | Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) | Founding Member and Trustee Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) |
| 1994-2015 | Chairman | Renata Limited | Chairman Renata Limited |
| 1996-2001 | Founder Chairman | Transparency International Bangladesh | Founder Chairman Transparency International Bangladesh |
| 2001-2005 | Member, Trustee Board | Transparency International Bangladesh | Member, Trustee Board Transparency International Bangladesh |
| 2001-2008 | Director | BRAC Bank Ltd. | Director BRAC Bank Ltd. |
| 2004-2015 | Patron | SAJIDA Foundation | Patron SAJIDA Foundation |