Board of Directors

Gary Awai

Chairman

Mr. Gary Awai currently serves as Chairman of Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU). He is the Chief Executive Officer of Development Finance Limited, where he has worked for the past ten (10) years, with a distinguished banking career spanning more than forty (40) years. During this period, he has held senior management positions at several local financial institutions.

Mr. Awai is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a member of the Society of Management Accountants of Nova Scotia, Canada. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Andrews University, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada. He is also certified as an ISO 31000 Senior Lead Risk Manager.

His professional expertise includes treasury risk management, foreign exchange trading, structured trade finance, corporate finance, strategic management accounting, and investment banking. At TGU, Mr. Awai brings extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of financial governance, supporting the Company’s commitment to operational excellence and national energy development.

Vishan Girwar

Deputy Chairman

Mr. Vishan Girwar is an Attorney-at-Law and corporate executive with a record of leadership across the legal, governance, and business sectors of Trinidad and Tobago. As Deputy Chairman of Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU), he contributes to the Board’s strategic oversight of the Company’s governance framework, operational performance, and long-term sustainability.

Mr. Girwar has appeared before the High Court of Justice and the Magistrates’ Court in civil, criminal, and public law matters. His areas of practice include corporate governance, industrial relations, property law, and regulatory compliance, providing strategic legal guidance within complex regulatory and commercial environments.
In addition to his legal practice, he serves in an executive capacity at a leading engineering and project management firm, where he advises on corporate governance, compliance systems, and business development initiatives. His leadership has strengthened accountability structures and enhanced operational discipline.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Staffordshire University, United Kingdom. Mr. Girwar remains committed to supporting TGU’s mandate of operational excellence, prudent governance, and sustainable energy development in service of Trinidad and Tobago.

Keith Surujbally

Director

Mr. Keith Surujbally is an accomplished information technology and business professional with more than twenty-one (21) years of experience across the energy, public, and private sectors. He possesses extensive expertise in cybersecurity, systems management, and project execution, and has led the implementation of several mission-critical information and communications technology (ICT) initiatives throughout his career.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Distinction, specialising in Project and Supply Chain Management, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Computing.

Mr. Surujbally combines technical acumen with strategic leadership, driving innovation, efficiency, and digital transformation within complex operational environments. At Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU), he contributes to strengthening governance, technology integration, and business continuity in support of the Company’s operational excellence.

Savitri Samaroo

Director

Ms. Savitri Samaroo is an Attorney-at-Law and mechanical engineer with more than fifteen (15) years of combined professional experience in law and engineering. She brings a unique multidisciplinary perspective to the Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU) Board, applying her legal, technical, and analytical expertise to support sound governance and operational decision-making.

She has represented clients in the construction, contracting, and engineering sectors in civil, labour, and corporate matters, and has also undertaken pro bono work in criminal appeals and public law. Prior to entering the legal profession, Ms. Samaroo worked internationally in Canada, Germany, and the United States as a Mechanical Engineer specialising in the design, analysis, and optimisation of mechanical systems.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours from Western University, Canada; a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. Hons) from the University of London, United Kingdom; and a Legal Practice Certificate (LPC) with Distinction from BPP University, United Kingdom.

At TGU, Ms. Samaroo’s multidisciplinary background and leadership experience contribute to advancing the Company’s commitment to people development, community partnership, and operational excellence.

Riaz Seecharan

Director

Mr. Riaz Seecharan was called to the Bar in England and Wales at the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn and subsequently to the Bars of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados and Grenada. As an Advocate Attorney, he has extensive experience in construction, energy, banking, insolvency, commercial and corporate law, having litigated matters at all levels, including the appellate courts (Court of Appeal, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and Caribbean Court of Justice).

Mr. Seecharan holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. Hons.) from the University of the West Indies (UWI, Cave Hill), a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Legal Studies with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo, Canada, the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC – Very Competent) from the BPP University Law School, London and the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Hugh Wooding Law School. He has completed Master of Laws (LL.M.) courses in Advanced Corporate Insolvency and Corporate Governance (UWI, Mona Campus), as well as the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Claims and Disputes Course (FIDIC Academy, Geneva, Switzerland) and has served as external corporate counsel for several companies in Trinidad and Tobago.

As an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Group Certified Civil and Commercial Mediator (London, UK), Certified Mediator and Mediation Trainer by the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago (MBTT), he has successfully facilitated numerous mediations including appellate matters and has delivered regional training initiatives.

At Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU), Mr. Seecharan brings legal, technological, financial, corporate governance and dispute-resolution expertise and experience to the Board, supporting the Company’s commitment to good governance and sustainable national development.

Peter Machikan

Director

Mr. Peter Machikan is a qualified accountant and Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) with more than thirty (30) years of experience in the oil and gas sector. He is also a member of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.

Mr. Machikan began his career in auditing at Ernst & Young before transitioning to the oil and gas industry, where he gained extensive experience in exploration and production, holding senior finance roles across multiple organisations. His expertise spans financial management, corporate governance, and strategic business operations within complex energy environments.

He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for a group of companies providing services in the logistics and energy sectors, where he oversees financial strategy, compliance, and organisational performance.
At Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU), Mr. Machikan brings strong financial and governance expertise to the Board, supporting the Company’s strategic objectives, operational efficiency, and stakeholder value creation.

Raquel Hall

Director

Ms. Raquel Hall is a research and policy professional with extensive experience in public administration, socio-political research, and policy development. She currently serves as a Research and Policy Officer at the Law Reform Commission, where she contributes to the preparation of policy briefs, stakeholder engagement strategies, and national consultations that strengthen institutional effectiveness and promote transparent governance.

Ms. Hall has worked collaboratively with policymakers and civil society to advance data-driven approaches to public sector improvement. She also serves on the Cabinet-appointed Bailiff Committee, where she has facilitated training for licensed private bailiffs and supported the development of the first asynchronous training programme for the sector, including the successful integration of the AGLA-Moodle Learning Management System.

She holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Public Sector Management and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Government with a minor in International Relations from The University of the West Indies, a Diploma in Project Management from the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), United Kingdom, and a Certificate in Finance for Non-Finance Leaders from the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. At TGU, Ms. Hall brings expertise in governance, policy design, and stakeholder engagement, supporting the Company’s commitment to accountability, innovation, and sustainable national development.