Former Fiji Revenue and Customs Service chief executive Jitoko Tikolevu and Chartered Accountant Nitin Gandhi have been appointed as FRCS Board Directors for a term of three years.
Their appointments, made under Section 4 of the FRCS Act 1998, became effective on July 16, 2024.
FRCS Chief Executive Udit Singh noted that the new directors bring valuable expertise and perspectives that will guide the organization with effective strategic direction and oversight.
Singh emphasized that their diverse talent and expertise will enhance the board’s strength and impact, aiding in the achievement of strategic objectives as FRCS strives to be a world-class revenue service, excelling in revenue collection, border protection, trade, and travel facilitation.
Background
Tikolevu served as Fiji’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2023. He was CEO of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority from 2007 to 2015 and held the position of Deputy Board Chair for the Fiji Development Bank and Investment Fiji until December 2015.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Studies from the University of the South Pacific and a Masters in Taxation from the University of Auckland.
“I am looking forward to contributing and working together with the current FRCS Board,” Tikolevu stated.
Gandhi is a Chartered Accountant and the former managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a fellow of the Australia and New Zealand Chartered Accountants, a former president of the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants, an accredited mediator, a former president of the Fiji Red Cross Society, and a current member of the International Federation of Red Cross Audit and Risk Commission in Geneva.
With over 38 years of experience in assurance, taxation, and advisory services across various industries including tourism, aviation, energy, manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and financial services, Gandhi also recognized the challenges facing FRCS in its reforms and administrative systems.
“There is a need to embrace globalization and digitalization to ensure FRCS serves its customer base efficiently and fairly. Modernizing tax compliance and developing systems accordingly is key to the country’s economic development,” Gandhi commented.