Table of Contents
Hussain Dawood is a well-known Pakistani individual who was born in Bombay, British India (now Mumbai) on September 20, 1943. He is renowned for his admirable contributions to philanthropy, education, and business.
Early Life and Education
Hussain Dawood was born into a Memon family, with renowned businessman Seth Ahmed Dawood as his father. Hussain Dawood’s relationship with Pakistan began when his family moved to Karachi in 1947, during the Indian division. He worked hard to complete his higher studies, earning a 1966 degree in metallurgy from Sheffield University.
His pursuit of knowledge brought him to the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where he graduated with an MBA in 1968.
Career
Hussain Dawood, who first held the position of Group Finance Director, made a substantial impact on the family business in Pakistan after completing his studies. His proficiency and aptitude for leadership were rapidly recognized, and in 1973 he was appointed Managing Director of Dawood Lawrencepur, a textile-focused public limited company.
In 1974, Dawood’s rise was furthered when he became a board member of the family-owned company and became heavily involved in merger and acquisition activity. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dawood Hercules Chemicals Limited, an entity that preceded the Dawood Hercules Corporation, as a result of his commitment and commercial acumen.
Dawood was essential in helping the company grow in the late 1990s, which led to the purchase of Engro Corporation. He assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Dawood Hercules Corporation after the death of his father. He became Chairman of the Board of Engro Corporation, a broad conglomerate with interests in food, energy, polymers, fertilizers, and food processing, in 2006.
Philanthropic Work
The Dawood Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation formed in 1960, has been a pivot for promoting formal education, healthcare, and disaster assistance in Pakistan. Dawood inherited the chairmanship of the foundation in 2000, directing its operations, which include numerous schools and informal education initiatives, as well as funding for the Engro Foundation.
Communities impacted by natural disasters such as the 2004 tsunami, the 2005 earthquake, and the 2010 floods have benefited greatly from his donations to disaster relief operations. In addition, he is the original benefactor of the Beaconhouse National University Tarogil Campus in Lahore’s Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design.
Dawood’s philanthropic work has not been limited to education and disaster relief. He has also served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and founded the Karachi School of Business & Leadership (KSBL), a graduate management school aimed at developing effective leaders.
Personal Life
Hussain Dawood’s personal life includes his marriage to Kulsum, and the couple is blessed with four children: Azmeh, Shahzada, Sabrina, and Samad. Tragically, in June 2023, Dawood experienced immense personal loss when his son Shahzada and 19-year-old grandson, Suleman, were among those who lost their lives in the submersible Titan when it imploded during a tourist expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic.
Leave a Reply