Agnello A.S. Fernandes

AGNELLO A.S. FERNANDES

-- by N.C.Mohandoss

“My progress and success have been a gradual process. The knowledge and wisdom of experts and abundant blessings from above have made my road to success much easier.. I don’t allow even the most difficult situations to frustrate me; but I use these moments to show my empathy to my clients and try to please them. It is challenging job and I like to take and overtake challengers” These are the opening lines of Mr. Agnello A. S. Fernandes, the Assistant Vice President of Fund Administration Department of Gulf Custody Company Kuwait.
Born in a small scenic village of Aquem Alto Margao Goa as the son of a sailor, Agnello completed his secondary education at Guardian Angel High School Sanvordem, Goa and later after his graduation came to Kuwait in 1975 in search of greener pastures. He started his career with Jassim Mohd Al Ali Al Wazzan in their indenting department as a junior clerk. After working there for 6 years, he joined KFTCIC, the biggest investment company at that time, in their Treasury back office.

He worked with them for 16 years and when the company finally merged with Kuwait Investment Company in late 90’s he moved to National Investment Company as settlement officer. He still remembers that April 2001 Sunday morning when his former boss and a colleague Mr. Ahmed Mohd Al Bahar called him over the phone and enquired whether he wished to join him at Gulf Custody Company which was newly formed that month. Knowing the aptitude the person has for work and appreciating the trust he put in him Agnello joined him as Senior Settlement Officer and since then there was never looking back.

Thanks to his hard work, Agnello rose to the position of Assistant Vice President in the same organization as of last year.


Gulf Custody Company are the biggest fund custodians in Gulf Cooperation Council countries administrating more than 80 funds and have U.S. Dollars 7 billion worth of assets under them. Major banks and investment companies are share holders in this company. They also have a full flegged branch office in Bahrain.

Just in the beginning of January 2008 “Money Markets Watch” a London based survey organization has awarded Gulf Custody Company “Best-in-Class - Gulf Markets” award for 2007 - and a five star rating based upon value added services, which puts Gulf Custody Company at the top of the domestic table. There are 70 employees working with us and most of them are from India. We work as a family and success of our Company is at the top of our priority list” says Agnello.

He further adds, “I am indebted to Mr. Ahmed Al Bahar The General Manager of Gulf Custody Company for having given me the free hand to learn, try new ideas and put my innovative plans to action and thank him for having faith in my capabilities which in fact has inspired me to better my achievements”



He also dedicates his success to his wife Mrs. Neeta Fernandes currently Executive Secretary with Gulf Crescent Company for the past 18 years, whom he calls his first critic. “As a matter of fact her constructive criticism has polished some of my talents brilliantly” he jokes. While the challenging job kept him busy in the office during the most hours of the day, she has successfully managed his house and family without Agnello having to feel the pressure of it. His elder son Allan S. Fernandes is a CIS Engineer graduated from American University at Springfield Missouri U.S.A. His younger son Allison is currently doing Aviation engineering at Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) at Mishref and soon will be going to Australia for further completion of his degree. His only daughter Alisha is in grade 8 in Carmel school, Kuwait. Agnello was the President of Navelim Youth Centre a Sports and Cultural organization in Kuwait for past 13 years and currently is their advisor now. His hobbies include sports, especially football, music and reading and he believes that life’s greatest things come in small packages.

A Gilmpse of Navelim Youth Centre
Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) has been one of the pioneering Social, Cultural and Sports non profitable organizations in Kuwait established in 1987.
At the onset of our Centre, it was decided that the main objectives of the Centre would be:
-To promote sport and conduct social activities in Kuwait
-To maintain cordial relations and provide co-operation and assistance in the field of sports and education to Indians preferably to the villagers of Navelim.

NYC’s contribution towards the cost of construction of the Rosary College premises back home in Goa as well as the Nazareth Home for the Aged and support towards the needy has been notable over the years. In Kuwait, NYC celebrate their annual village feast of Our Lady of Rosary, the patroness of Navelim Church in the month of November.

Soccer is one field NYC are popular among expatriate Indians in the Middle East. Since the inception of the club, NYC have always figured among the top teams in Kuwait. NYC are also the proud holders of all the 3 Silver Jubilee Tournament Trophies conducted in Kuwait i.e. United Goans Trophy,Goa Maroons Trophy and Rising Stars Club Recreative Trophy. NYC has also traveled to Bahrain and Dubai to play competitive and exhibition matches with expatriate teams.

NYC has been the first among the Goan football teams in the Gulf region to have a website (www.nycq8.com) of their own. The popular and prestigious NYC Rolling Trophy instituted by Navelim in 1993 has done 18 successful editions.

http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/om16.asp