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
tight bond with their father
during their formative years.
1957
THE EARLY
YEARS
Mr. Kabir started his career in 1957 as Assistant Manager at Rashidpur Tea Estate in Sylhet, where he married Sajida Fahmi. In 1963, Mr. Kabir moved back to Dhaka to join Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd. as 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
Distributing relief to the children of
plant workers, early 1960s.
1972
From Pfizer to Renata
TAKING OVER THE REINS
Transitioning to become Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd.’s first Managing Director, Mr. Kabir worked his way up to become 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.
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. Thus, the model for a unique social enterprise emerged as SAJIDA Foundation, based on Mr. Kabir's vision and commitment to serving those in need. 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 SAJIDA Hospital, Keraniganj
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.
“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
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 |