CEO Insights Magazine

With a huge responsibility vested upon the economy and business today, power and energy are critical industry sectors worldwide. To lead this industry there are significant leaders contributing to its overhauling, and MD. Abdur Razzaque Ruhani, CEO of Acorn Infrastructure Services Ltd. (AISL)- a growth-oriented power producer in Bangladesh, is one of them. Holding a Mechanical Engineering degree from the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) and having attended several courses at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Dhaka University, MD. Abdur Razzaque Ruhani is a widely recognized expert and a seasoned industry executive with over 20 years of professional experience in the Power, Energy, and Telecom sectors. Let’s know more of him!

Could you give a brief account of your professional background and experiences? What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

My professional experience is extensive in the Power, Energy, and Telecom sectors. While my career kickstarted as the Sales and Service Engineer at GETCO in 2001, I gradually grew to leadership roles, joining Bangla CAT (dealer of Caterpillar in Bangladesh) as Assistant Manager, Power Systems (2005); Bangla Trac Communication (an SBU of the Bangla Trac group) as Manager, Corporate Affairs (2008) and then Chief Operating Officer (2012). Besides, I was acting in a dual role as Project Director of the AISL Power Project. In 2014, I moved to AISL (the power generation unit of Bangla Trac Group) as Chief Operating Officer, and then got promoted to the CEO role in 2016, and also became the youngest CEO of the power generation industry in Bangladesh, at the age of 39. Besides, I am also the assigned CEO of other power generation organizations (Acorn Infrastructure Services Unit-2, Unit-3, Bangla Trac Power Unit-1, Uni- 2) of Bangla Trac Group from the date of the inception of those companies whose combined capacity is 600 MW. I became the Executive Director for Bangla Trac Group in February 2017 and the Board Director of Paramount Btrac Energy Ltd., 200 MW HSD based power plant in February 2018. I have also been invited to speak at numerous industry conferences and events. The motivation that fuels my daily routine is the deep passion that I hold for our business, and my dedication to achieving results and improving the company’s performance- overcoming challenges & opportunities and realizing the company’s vision, values, and culture.

You possess two decades of experience. How has been your path to success and what is your success mantra?

My path to success has been encouraging, interesting, and challenging. While, my Mechanical Engineering degree, provided valuable hands-on experience and helped me to develop a deep understanding of the technical aspects during my early career as an engineer, Management provided me the opportunities in different leadership and executive roles in this organization enriching me with management skills, strategic planning, and decision-making. However, it was my continuous thrive for developing a skillset that helped me to succeed in the executive role, understanding the company’s short- and long-term  goals through dedication and ownership, supported by an effective & efficient team.

How would you define Acorn Infrastructure Services as an organization and its current position in the market?

Acorn Infrastructure Services Ltd. (AISL) is a part of Bangla Trac Group, a conglomerate operating in multiple business sectors such as power & infrastructure, information technology, telecommunication, and retail. As a group of experts and innovators in the power and energy field, we responsibly create dependable, safe, and innovative energy solutions to power a sustainable future for Bangladesh.

In the Power sector, we have a combined capacity of 800MW IPP Power Plants connected to the Grid on a BOO basis in different locations in Bangladesh. Among them 300MW HFO-based IPP power plant by the name of ACORN Infrastructure Services Limited and a 500MW Diesel-based IPP power plant by the name of Bangla Trac Power Limited. Starting with its initial capacity of 100 MW in 2012, the present combined capacity is 800 MW and counting. As a part of business diversification, we are focusing on Renewable Power projects especially using wind turbines.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team?

I inspire and motivate employees to achieve goals and objectives by using their full potential, and so my leadership methodology functions through ownership, strategic planning, establishing clear goals and expectations, promoting effective communication, and effective people management. I continuously strive to align the employee’s goals with the company’s goal, ensuring each team member understands their role and the expectations relative to their performance, thereby emphasizing owning the company and sharing responsibilities working role-specific, directed by right delegation, communication, and effective people management.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

Acorn Infrastructure Services Ltd. (AISL) as a dependable, safe, and innovative energy solutions provider is focused on expanding business in Power & Energy and Technology industry and contributing to society through different charity and philanthropic works. While personally, I want to grow fulfilling my leadership responsibilities and enjoying happiness in my personal life.

In light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?

Hold an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, understand the industry and company’s goals, build a strong team, understand team members, own the company and team, focus on results, communicate effectively, adapt to changes, and accept challenges.

MD. Abdur Razzaque Ruhani, CEO, Acorn Infrastructure Services

Holding a Mechanical Engineering degree from the Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) and having attended several courses at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Dhaka University, MD. Abdur Razzaque Ruhani is a widely recognized expert and a seasoned industry executive with over 20 years of professional experience in the Power, Energy, and Telecom sectors. He was also a member of the National Grid Code Review Committee. He has been elected and currently functioning as Vice President (Finance) of the Bangladesh Independent Power Producers Association (BIPPA) and Organizing Secretary, Mechanical Engineers Alumni Association of RUET. Besides that, he is actively playing roles in different professional bodies such as Vice President of Executive Committee, Association of Engineers Bangladesh (AEB), Fellow Member of The Institution of Engineering, Bangladesh (IEB). He was the Honorary Secretary, of Telecommunication Infrastructure Operators of Bangladesh (TIOB).

Awards & Recognition:

• ‘Outstanding Sense of Ownership and Extraordinary Team Player’ by Bangla Trac Management.

• ‘Leading Light’ fastest completion among Govt Fast Track Projects of 200 MW and 100 MW HSD power plants in the Private sector as Project Director.

• ‘17 Years of Guidance & Inspiration’ for outstanding contribution in Bangla Trac Group

• ‘Man of the Match’, and ‘Most Wicket Taker’ in the Inter Department Cricket Tournament, RUET

• Best Batsman, Bangla Cat Cricket Tournament

• Man of the Final & Man of the Tournament, Bangla Cat Cricket Tournament

• Hobbies: Enjoying Cricket, Football

• Favorite Cuisine: Bengali

• Favorite Book: The Holy Quran

• Favorite Travel Destination: Turkey