OCI Global, the Dutch chemicals company that has come under pressure from an activist investor this year, has hired Elliott Advisors’ former director of communications to lead its IR and communications efforts.
Sarah Rajani worked at Elliott Advisors, the UK affiliate of prominent activist investor Elliott Investment Management, between 2016 and 2022.
During this time, she ‘led and advised on all aspects of the firm’s communications and public relations activities across Europe and Asia, overseeing many of the firm’s high-profile activist campaigns,’ according to a statement from OCI.
OCI is currently undertaking a strategic review following calls from shareholders, including activist firm Inclusive Capital Partners, for the company to search for ways to unlock value.
In May, OCI said it had been ‘receptive to comments made by shareholders’ and started a ‘comprehensive review of all our business lines’. The findings are expected to be published before the end of the year.
Senior roles
Prior to Elliot Advisors, Rajani held senior roles across a range of listed companies and financial services firms. She was global head of communications at both Actis, the infrastructure investor, and private equity firm Apax Partners.
Before that, she served as group communications director at British retailer New Look, where she supported the company through its 2010 IPO. She was also global vice president of strategy and IR at Samsonite.
Earlier in her career, Rajani worked in equity research at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Citigroup. She studied mathematics and economics at Cambridge University and is a CFA charterholder.
‘We are delighted to announce that Sarah is joining the OCI management team, in this newly expanded role,’ says Hassan Badrawi, group CFO at OCI, in the statement.
‘This is an exciting time for OCI, and Sarah’s background in strategic and shareholder communications will be invaluable in driving our global investor relations and communications strategy forward through this next phase of growth and transformation.’
Rajani takes over from Hans Zayed, who is moving to a new role in the company following 10 years working in IR, notes OCI.
