It is sometimes very fascinating and incredible to see how people can demonstrate their talent, entrepreneurial capabilities and corporate leadership very modestly without any public exposure or much publicity. Such attributes very fittingly relate to Late Abu Syed Mohammad Obaidus Subhan (officially known ASMO Subhan), popularly known as 'Boro Shaheb' among his colleagues and subordinates in Duncan group in Bangladesh, and as 'Abu' among his colleagues in Camellia or Lawrie Group PLC in UK - the ultimate holding company of Duncan group in Bangladesh. 

After my one-year service in Saudi Arabia in a private investment company, I returned to Bangladesh and joined United Insurance Company under Duncan group in a managerial position.

It was during the company's initial period when work was ongoing for setting up of all systems and procedures to be put in place and my responsibilities were to lead these initiatives.

Those ultimately ended up taking the company for initial public offering (IPO), which was handled very competently under my stewardship.

Subsequently, many other insurance companies followed the systems of United Insurance in regards to its very first and unique experience in IPO.

In a rewarding note, I was then transferred to Duncan Brothers with the responsibility of handling finance and accounts of non-sterling companies and a tea company named Surma Valley Tea Company - a sterling company wholly taken over by United Insurance.

Duncan Brothers and its associated companies have long legacy and history in carrying out its business operations in the then British regime.

It has been observed that Duncan Brothers and its associated entities have been maintaining high level of business ethics, transparency and demonstrating adequate social responsibilities without much of publicity.

Abu Subhan joined the group as its chief executive in Bangladesh in mid-80s.

Thereafter, Duncan Brothers took different dimensions expanding its business to insurance and finance sector (United Finance).

It was amazing that this gentleman had a towering personality to influence the British owners and management to expand its business in Bangladesh.

As a part of this expansion, Camellia House in Paribag was also built as its corporate office with a unique feature of aristocracy and modern architecture of the time.

Still today, Camellia House is exclusive in nature as opposed to countless multi-storied commercial buildings in Dhaka.

Late Abu Subhan was a patriot and always supportive to growing talents, especially in art and culture. The vast collection of paintings which Camellia House currently holds certainly possesses huge monetary value, and it is not known whether any other local business conglomerate has such kind of huge collection of artwork.

His dress was also unique using shirt made of Rajshahi raw silk.

Way back in mid-90s, Duncan initiated a safe drinking water project. Considering the cost of production, market demand, tax and VAT implications etc., the project was not financially rewarding.

But, without thinking much about its commercial viability, Duncan group went forward with the project to serve the society with the perspective of providing safe drinking water.

It was, indeed, a precious requirement at that time.

Immediately after the successful operations of this project, Abu Subhan initiated a world-class school project, and the project eventually came into existence under the name of Sir John Wilson School as a separate body managed by Social Services and Management Trust.

It was run without any commercial motive but the surplus income from the school was earmarked for charitable purposes.

The school rapidly expanded and became one of the best and most reputed English medium schools in Bangladesh.

Furthermore, he initiated and established the first ever complete hospital facility namely Camellia Duncan Hospital under the umbrella of Camellia Duncan Foundation for tertiary and improved medical treatment of tea garden labourers and staff.

Incidentally, I was fortunate enough to be associated with these dynamic projects at its formative stages as a person working with finance, and supported Abu Subhan in accomplishing his visions.

Apart from his main duties to lead Duncan Brothers and its associated entities, Abu Subhan has always had an interest to intricately identify the social needs and come forward for the required help and support.

I left Duncan group and joined public practice in 1998 when Abu Subhan rewarded me with a memorable farewell considering the interest and growth of HodaVasi and the CA profession as a whole.

He told Todd Smith, deputy managing partner of Deloitte Asia Pacific, that we are sacrificing Nesar for growing HVC and your gain is our loss.

Unfortunately, Abu Subhan died at a premature age. It is always difficult to find a replacement for this kind of exceptional personality with a good number of human qualities.

His family members have formed a charitable organisation in his memory in the name of Abu Subhan Welfare Trust under the initiative of his surviving wife Nasreen Subhan, popularly known as Millie Subhan.

The Trust primarily focuses on healthcare, particularly of the aged people in rural areas.

In remembrance of this inspiring personality for all the noble works which he had set in motion, we pray that may Almighty grant him peace in the eternal world.

The writer is a senior practising chartered accountant and a past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).