Sandra McKersey is the Chairman and CEO of Sandra Foods International Ltd., a Bangladesh-New Zealand co-joint venture that employs over 300 young individuals in Bangladesh. Sandra McKersey herself is a passionate humanitarian and a committed Rotarian. Recently, she spoke to Bonik Barta about her humanitarian efforts, business venture, and the food industry in Bangladesh. Interview conducted by Minhazul Abedin.

You were a teacher, then you became involved in humanitarian work. Tell us about that. Did your upbringing and early childhood influence this path?

I was born in Scotland, and my family later immigrated to New Zealand. I suppose there was always a sense of risk-taking in my family. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher—there was never any doubt about that.

After teaching for 25 years, I decided I wanted to run my own business, which is difficult to do within traditional teaching. That led me to start a company called People Potential, which focuses on training adults and young people who didn’t quite thrive in a conventional school environment. It’s a vocational college that concentrates on helping students complete their qualifications instead of dropping out. Teaching those young people, many of whom have experienced failure, requires a special kind of educator.

When my business was still small, I became a Rotarian. At that time, Rotary was about networking and business, and I was quite new to business. I learned a lot from my fellow Rotarians, and through Rotary, I became deeply engaged in humanitarian work.

In a nutshell, I came from Scotland, became a teacher, started my own business, and through that journey, found my way into Rotary and humanitarian service.

From teaching to the food industry — what drew you to this sector, and why in Bangladesh? How did it all begin?

It does sound strange, doesn’t it? I’m not a baker, never have been, and probably never will be. I often tell my friends that I’ve never even made a Christmas cake, simply because I’ve been too busy doing other things. But business is business.

I first came to Bangladesh 11 years ago, in 2015, as a Rotarian. At the time, I was quite nervous. It mattered to me that I didn’t offend anyone. I wanted to make sure I dressed appropriately and showed respect for local customs. But from the moment I arrived, I was met with warmth and generosity. Everyone I met was friendly and gracious, which made everything much easier.

From there, one thing led to another. It’s been quite a journey from that first visit to becoming involved in Sandra Foods.

Sandra Foods in Bangladesh is a co-joint venture. How does that partnership shape the company’s business operations?

I’d say it’s a match made in heaven. I come from New Zealand, a country known for producing healthy, high-quality food and maintaining exceptional standards. The company is registered here in Bangladesh, and as a co-joint venture, I have significant input.

The real advantage, though, is the talented team we have on the ground. We’re fortunate to have so many capable and innovative people working within the business here. I was particularly lucky that the Tasbih Hussain family welcomed me as a partner, which made the joint venture possible.

What about the regulatory requirements in Bangladesh? How has your company navigated them?

It’s very difficult — certainly not easy. There are many regulations, and from an outsider’s perspective, it often seems unevenly applied. You can see people setting up stalls on the roadside, cooking and selling whatever they like with no oversight, no VAT, and no formal restrictions. They’re simply earning their daily bread.

For a company like Sandra Foods, it’s a completely different story. We face a long list of regulatory requirements. And as a small but growing business, that can make us an easy target. Large corporations have teams of lawyers and compliance experts to ensure they meet every rule. Smaller enterprises like ours don’t always have that kind of infrastructure.

Sometimes, inspectors can walk in unannounced without explanation or notice, which can be quite intimidating. Navigating that environment takes constant vigilance and a lot of resilience.

The food industry in Bangladesh is highly competitive, with many players in the market. How is Sandra Foods positioning itself for growth?

The industry is jam-packed with competitors. So we’ve had to create a clear point of difference. One of those is being a co-joint venture. From the very beginning, we’ve concentrated on maintaining uncompromising product quality. That’s been our priority.

It’s not easy—competition is fierce, and the cost of raw materials rises almost daily. Balancing that with the need to keep products affordable is a constant challenge. We can’t price ourselves out of the market, so quality becomes our defining feature.

We also take pride in our beautifully designed outlets and a strong management team. Our Managing Director, Tasbih Hussain, has more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, and his family has long been involved in the sector in Narayanganj. Their knowledge, reputation, and experience are behind our business. Saying that, despite being relatively small, we’re expanding steadily. In fact, we just opened our 17th outlet recently at Shwapno.

There have been several complaints and reports about food quality in Bangladesh. How does Sandra Foods ensure its products meet high standards?

First and foremost, we have excellent chefs who are very particular about quality. Our Managing Director, with his extensive experience in the food industry, immediately identifies any issues and ensures they are addressed without delay.

From my point of view, assessing food quality isn’t my expertise. I couldn’t judge whether something is excellent or not—that’s not my role. In fact, very spicy or very hot food isn’t for me, so I’m actually a difficult person to feed here in Bangladesh. Fortunately, I have this family and team who go to great lengths to make sure I’m properly cared for.

For us, building a trusted brand is essential. Many customers have told me they love our food, and that’s what we aim for. I hope you try it and enjoy it as well.

Sandra Foods primarily focuses on bakery and pastries. Are there plans to expand the business further?

We already operate several cafés linked to our bakery business, along with a few restaurants, particularly in Banasree. Over time, most of our outlets will offer seating to provide full customer service.

We also prepare a wide range of food, including Chinese and Bangladeshi dishes, with Bangladeshi breakfasts being especially popular. Our approach is guided by the market. We don’t decide what people should like; we listen to what customers want us to make and tailor our offerings accordingly.

I was speaking with a customer in Banasree recently who told me she’s grateful because Sandra Foods is there. She brings her family here every morning and evening. Globally, people are getting busier and increasingly seeking ready-made meals. While there is plenty of street food available, that’s not our market. Our goal is to provide high-quality food for people to enjoy in our cafés or take home.

Technology and innovation are critical in any industry. How does Sandra Foods integrate technology into its operations?

Take our live bakery, for example. All the machinery must run with precise timing, have the right amount of power, and strict hygiene standards are essential. It’s fascinating to watch bread move directly from the oven to the outlet.

Another key area of our growth is in food delivery. That requires a high level of technical capability to meet customer expectations. Operations have to be smart, quick, and reliable, often promising delivery within half an hour. Meeting these standards consistently is essential to maintaining the quality our customers expect.

You recently helped establish a dormitory for 100 orphans. Could you tell us how Sandra Foods is contributing to community development in Bangladesh?

During COVID, we launched several initiatives at Sandra Foods. We distributed food baskets to several villages and even hired an ambulance service. I think, any company operating in Dhaka and Narayanganj has a responsibility to support the local community. If we have leftover food at the end of the day, it is donated to those in need.

From my perspective, providing employment is the most meaningful contribution a company can make. It gives people dignity, allows them to learn new skills, and fosters independence. That perspective comes from my background as a teacher. Beyond that, Sandra Foods offers an opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced management team to grow the business and expand its impact, further benefiting the community.

Overall, how does Sandra Foods view the food industry in Bangladesh? Where is it headed, and what are the company’s growth plans for Sandra Foods for the next five to ten years?

The food industry itself is very challenging. Success requires commitment, hard work, and a clear understanding of your goals. You have to know your market niche and consistently seek customer feedback to ensure your offerings meet expectations.

We follow a path of continuous improvement. As a business person, I prefer steady, manageable growth rather than expanding too quickly. Our aim isn’t to compete in size with large providers; we want to be recognized for quality and reliability. Trust in our food is paramount. First, we consolidate and ensure all systems are running smoothly, and then consider expansion.

Looking ahead, we see opportunities in community food delivery, offering frozen products, and developing items with longer shelf life. Shelf-life management is crucial for bakery operations, and research and development in this area will support sustainable growth.

Profit margins in the bakery sector are narrow. It requires meticulous management and a disciplined team to grow successfully. I’m proud to be part of Sandra Foods. Coming from New Zealand, seeing this dedicated team and all these outlets carrying my name is remarkable. Even my family can hardly believe it.

You were awarded the Queen’s Service Medal, Rotary Service Above Self award, and inducted into the Northland Business Hall of Fame. How does being recognized for your work feel? What has guided your journey?

I was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 2010 for my contributions to education and the community. That honor isn’t just for me. It represents my family, my team, and the Rotarians I’ve worked with. No one achieves anything alone; it’s always a collective effort.

I wrote a book called Just Say Yes, which reflects my approach to life. I consider myself ordinary, but saying yes to opportunities has led to a busy, exciting life full of meaningful experiences. My Rotary work, for instance, took me from New Zealand to Africa, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Malaysia, and earned me the prestigious Rotary Service Above Self award—again, made possible by collaboration.

Transitioning from teaching to business required reading a lot of books, learning a lot of lessons, and failing a lot of times. I was honored as the first woman inducted into the Northland Business Hall of Fame. And I think it’s about resilience. It’s about failing and trying again.

I love being in business and working with Sandra Foods. I focus on helping the company reach its potential, leveraging my perspective as a woman and as someone who has navigated both education and business to see opportunities others might miss.