Getting to Know the Men of EER

The team here at EER are most definitely the heart of our company.  Their passion and dedication are vital to our growth and they are on the front line of all the work we do.  We know how committed they are to going the extra mile for our clients, so getting to know them will help you understand more about who EER really is as a company.  Following on from our recent article interviewing the amazing women of EER, we thought it would be a good idea if the chaps took a turn.  So allow us to introduce you to some of the strapping guys who shape the team here in the office.

First up is our Accounts Executive Paul Sarmiento who is quite the musical virtuoso on the guitar, piano and drums but is less confident in his singing ability:

Which famous person inspires you the most?  That would have to be Walt Disney.  He was actually fired for ‘lacking imagination’ which just goes to show you should let what people say stop you from moving forward.

Who inspires you in your life?  My late grandfather Jesus Sarmiento was extremely generous and kind-hearted.  I remember how giving he was, encouraging people to come into our home and share a meal.

If you could travel anywhere right now for one week, where in the world would you go?  I would head straight to Japan, I think the country is so beautiful and they have such a fascinating culture and delicious food.

Danish Khan is our Finance Team Lead as well as being an avid sports fanatic and proud philanthropist:

Who inspires you in your life?  My mother, Kanwal Zahid – she is a mentor, friend and my best supporter.  Her love and encouragement have got me to where I am today and I will be forever grateful.

If you could travel anywhere right now for one week, where in the world would you go?  I would have to say Switzerland because of its natural beauty and scenery.

How do you think the way we work will change post-Covid? For many of us, the pandemic has been the most significant and traumatic experience of our lives.  Its impact has been felt by individuals, society and the workforce.  I think it is too early to say what the lasting impact will be in the way we work, but I think the ‘new normal’ will see us shift to a more blended environment with a lot more virtual elements.

Self-confessed emotional cry baby Bernard Edward Benigno De Guzman Jr is one of our Corporate Services Executives and a frustrated actor.  He likes to cheer himself up with music and pro-wrestling though!

Which famous person inspires you the most?  Pro-wrestler Allen Neal Jones, also known as AJ Styles.  His work ethic has won my heart!  He reminds me to do your best no matter where you are and enjoy the process as much as the result.

What did you find most challenging about Covid?  Balancing the right emotion at any given moment.  We had to work really hard to maintain our professional work whilst feeling so overwhelmed on a personal level.

How do you think the way we work will change post-Covid? I think people will be more sensitive towards those around them.  We need to understand when they are struggling with something difficult inside and be more patient in our dealings with them.

Who inspires you most in your life?  My father, Bernard Edward De Guzman Sr.  He was a naval architect with an amazing work ethic.

Slick mover Minhaj Atiq Khan is our Public Relations Officer and recently won first prize in the dance competition at our EER annual seminar!

Which famous person inspires you the most?  One of the most famous actors in Bollywood Salman Khan who is such a good person and an inspiration on how to be kind to others.

If you could travel anywhere right now for one week, where in the world would you go?  At the moment I would most like to go back to my home country to see my family – I am missing them a lot.

What did you find the most challenging about Covid?  It was definitely hard to keep safe and maintain distance from others.  But the government guidelines have done a lot to help the situation here in the UAE and if we can keep it up, hopefully Covid will be behind us very soon.

Well said, Minhaj, we will be keeping our fingers crossed!