Our Team

Manoj Satija
CEO & MD

Mr. Manoj Satija is the founder of Valad Business Solutions providing the vision and strategic direction for the company. He is source of inspiration and motivation. He has been very successful entrepreneur managing various companies across globe past 3 decades .

He started his career with SCI as Marine Engineer & since then has been a part of marine industry. He sailed for 9 years before joining Wallem Shipmanagement as Superintendent.

He is a Bachelor of Marine Engineering from the most prestigious Maritime institute, D.M.E.T in India. He has passion for yoga and meditation.

Rahul Pandit
Executive Director

Rahul Pandit joined Valad Business Solutions as Executive Director. He joined Valad since its inception in 2006 & is responsible for providing strategic directions along with the CEO.

Prior to joining Valad, he sailed for 13 years on different types of vessels before he signed off as a chief engineer with K.C.M.A & got on to a shore job with Vigil Marine Services where he served as a General Manager responsible for overall business activities in India.

Rahul Pandit is a Marine Engineer from D.M.E.T & holds Class 1-Motor Certificate

Pravin Rai
Director / VP-IT Enabled Services

Pravin Rai joined Valad Business Solutions as Manager – ITES in 2006 and since than has played a pivotal role in growth of the organization. He was entrusted upon with the responsibility as VP – IT Enabled Services in 2009 and currently holds this position.

Pravin brings with him over a decade of professional experience in shipping and IT. Before joining Valad, he worked with Ulysses Systems, Greece as Marine Domain Expert (Business engineer). Prior coming to shore life he sailed on different types of vessels with Eurasia Ship management and NYK Ship management as engineer officer from 2000 to 2005

Pravin is a Marine Engineer from Mumbai and holds degree in Business Administration from New Southern Hampshire University, USA.

Nick Pearson
Business Development Manager–Europe & Middle East

Nick joined Valad Business Solutions as Business Development Manager in 2006. He brings with him 40 years of experience in maritime industry.

His experience includes Sales and Marketing Director with Samsung HI, Commercial Manager with FBM Babcock, Business Development with Three Quays and assisting companies including Lockhead Martin in USA and Clifford Chance London. He also worked with Mega Yacht industry by standing at a Yacht new build in Italy, assisting with the initial set up with Privatsea.com and as a witness of fact at London arbitration.

Nick is a member of the Nautical Institute and holds a Class 1 Master Mariners FG certificate

Jay Rajpal
Business Development Manager

Jay joined Valad Business Solutions as Asst. Manager – Business development in early 2008; At Valad, he manages business development functions & is actively involved in marketing activities of the company viz: branding, advertising and public relations.

Prior to joining Valad, Jay has worked with Arctern Inc; where his team was responsible for new client acquisitions & customized recruitment for clients acquired in US. At GTL, he was responsible for work force management activities to ensure service levels set by the client were met. At Kemco International Ltd, TZ, he was responsible for marketing, sales & distribution in Dar es Salaam along with Import functions right from documentation to arrival at the ware house.

Jay holds a Bachelors degree in commerce from Mumbai University, India. When not working, he enjoys reading, watching cricket, trekking and spending time with family and friends.

Madhukumar Pillai
Sr. Project Manager

Madhukumar joined Valad Business Solutions as Asst. Project Manager in 2007. At Valad, he is responsible for data management & implementation of data, training on PMS software to personnel onboard & ashore. In 2009, he was promoted as Senior Project Manager and currently holds this position.

Madhukumar brings with him 13 years of professional experience in shipping industry. Before joining Valad, he sailed on different type of vessels from 1994 to 2007 & lastly signed off as a third engineer with A.P. Moller Maersk.

Madhukumar is a Marine Engineer.

Umesh Kalhapure
Project Manager

Umesh joined Valad Business Solutions as Asst. Project Manager in 2009. At Valad, he is responsible for data management & implementation of data, Digitization projects and training on PMS software. In 2010, he was promoted Project Manager and currently holds this position.

Before joining Valad, he sailed with Dyancom Tankers Management Ltd.

Umesh is a Mechanical Engineer and Gold Medal holder of MERI (Marine Engineer Research Institute, 16th Batch).

Kalicharan Singh
IT Manager

Kalicharan joined Valad in 2007 as Assistant Manager & evolved as IT Manager. He has 6.5 years of experience in IT, telecom and marine industries in the area of designing, manufacturing, software development and project management. He has been involved in projects on PC Controlled systems for IC Engine, Pelton Turbines.

Prior Valad, he worked with an IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) incubated Company ‘Wilcom Technologies’ in Research and Development.

Kalicharan holds Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Mechanical from Mumbai University.