Uitvlugt boy now Vice President of multi-billion dollar company
Chris Latesh Singh
Chris Latesh Singh

ALTHOUGH Chris Latesh Singh migrated to Canada more than 30 years ago, the West Coast Demerara Village of Uitvlugt continues to hold a special place in his heart. In fact, he credits the enormous career success that he is enjoying today to what he had learned on the streets of Uitvlugt as a child.

Chris with his mom (third from right) and sisters Dolly, Indira, Seeta and Angie.

Chris, 48, was born at Ocean View, Uitvlugt and moved to Uitvlugt ‘Front’- another section of the village- when he was nine years old. “I spent five years living in Uitvlugt [Front] and it was easily the best years of my life. I have stayed close with many families and have enduring relationships even to today,” he told the Pepperpot Magazine in an online interview recently.

Although the family ran a thriving business in Guyana, Chris recalled that his dad, Niranjan Singh (now deceased), wanted to provide more opportunities for the family. So, in 1985, the family “tearfully” left Guyana. While he often debated whether or not to leave Guyana, it was a foiled robbery at their home which helped Mr. Singh to make his final decision.
He had a booming pharmacy and medical practice in Uitvlugt and strongly believed in keeping the community healthy and doing whatever it took to achieve that objective.

“Quite often, late at nights, he would be summoned from his bed to assist someone, even when he knew that in most cases, they would not be able to pay. He never turned anyone away,” Chris recalls about his dad.

Chris conducting a presentation or SAP in Barcelona

Even though he is no longer around, his values and work ethics remain with his children. “To this day, his name only brings forward positive conversation,” Chris said.
Mrs. Betty Singh, Chris’ mom, was also a successful businesswoman who ran a distribution business for the entire West Coast of Demerara. She solely held the wholesale distribution rights for cooking gas, tobacco and alcohol.

“She was and continues to be, extraordinarily kind and generous. She gave freely to others who were less fortunate and made kindness a currency. I think I get my sense of humour from her too; she’s quite the prankster,” Chris says.

The youngest of six children, Chris has four sisters, Dolly, Indira, Seeta and Angie. When Chris was just nine years old, his brother, Amrit- who was the eldest- passed away.

EVERYONE IS EQUAL

Chris with his uncle and friend from Uitvlugt

Chris recalls that both his parents were passionate defenders of the doctrine that all lives are equal and that they resented anyone with racist beliefs. “I was taught at a young age that Afro Guyanese and Indo Guyanese were equals. This made me integrate into a predominantly Afro community of Uitvlugt quite well.”

At 10 years old, Chris was the captain of the Uitvlugt, Under 14 football team. “Most of my successes today can be credited to what I learnt from the streets of Uitvlugt,” he said, adding, “I learnt that poor people had ambitions and hopes no different than the rich. I learnt that cleanliness was not restricted to any race. I learnt that courage was greater when hardships were present. I learnt that religion had nothing to do with who you worshipped but how you treated others.”

As a child, for instance, he ensured that he helped the needy. “I made sure that wealth was distributed to others less fortunate. Sometimes I would sneak money to help my friends who had little. To this day, I love to help in any way that I can. Some people lacked the vision and practice of selflessness and equality and they viewed this generosity as stupidity.”

A PROSPEROUS CAREER

Chris’ dad Niranjan Singh and one of his sisters

Over the last 18 years, Chris has been visiting Guyana twice every year and has hosted a party for his mom almost every year at the Pegasus Hotel, which happens to be her favourite place. “Normally, 20 of us return to celebrate. I would love to return on a semi-permanent basis and run a business in Guyana,” said Chris.

In Canada, he helps to run a $30+ Billion a year business and works with most of the largest companies on the planet. He is the Senior Vice President and Global Head for Customer Success Management for a company called SAP.

SAP has over 94,000 full-time employees globally and is the world leader in Enterprise Application with over 413,000 customers worldwide and a market cap of over $126 Billion.
Consulting, business development, head of innovation and engineering, software and development, cloud computing and services are some of the key positions that Chris has held.

Chris has said that he would love to bring his experience to Guyana but three factors which restrain him are historic corruption in the country, security and marginalisation of the experienced in Guyana. “Perhaps it can be attributed to persons who may have faked or overstated their experience, and as such many people in the business sector or government feel wary of what you have to offer. I have the means to invest. However, because of the above-mentioned factors, I have been deterred. I do see the people asking for more transparency and at least the government has taken some steps in this direction,” he said.

While his plan is being on the SAP Corporate Board someday, Chris said his ‘daydream’ job would be to become the Chief of Police in Guyana. “So many people desperately want to have security. On Maslow hierarchy of needs, security is amongst the most basic of needs. I have the firm belief that if you complain about something, you better also have the solution,” he said.

Becoming the top cop would not be a significant challenge to Chris because he said he has done this kind of reform on a much larger scale and would, therefore, welcome the opportunity to fix security issues locally. “The people of Guyana are the very finest in the world and are deserving of a country where you can walk freely and sleep peacefully at nights. Guyana has produced a lot of talented people,” he said.

“It needs to be a place where people feel comfortable to grow and where opportunities are open to those willing to work hard. Guyana is a place like no other; culturally diverse and rich in its heritage. Its beauty is incomparable. I, one day, wish to see her fulfill her true potential.”

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