Steve Jordan talks to Rahul Pillai as he departs the company he has helped to build for the last 22 years.

Rahul Pillai has now left his position as CEO of Interem in Dubai and India. His last working day was 31 March.  He was with the company for 22 years and he leaves behind a company that has prospered under his stewardship. But, he says, it’s time for a change.

During those years Interem has grown from being unknown, into a major brand on the global stage.  Ironically, perhaps, the company has just had its best year ever, but Rahul doesn’t see that as a reason to change his decision.  Quite the reverse.  “You must always hang your boots up in the best year,” he said.  That said he has made sure that there is a succession plan in place. “My whole team is there to take on the responsibility with ease.”

So Rahul can leave with an easy conscience as he begins to plan what comes next.  At just 47 years old, that will definitely not be retirement. He built Interem up to its successful position as an employee. “I wanted to exit on my terms to do something for myself,” he said.  “If I am to do that, I need to do it while I am still in my forties.”

What will that be?  Will it be in the moving industry or is he considering something completely different?  Rahul doesn’t know yet.  He doesn’t have a non-compete clause to restrict him so it could be something industry related, then again he might take a different tack. “I don’t want to be an employee anymore.  I want whatever I do next to be enjoyable, enriching and rewarding to me and society at large.” Of course, he’s in the right place.  Rahul lives in southern India and the country is enjoying a trend of impressive growth.

Rahul decided to leave Interem last August but didn’t make the official announcement until February.  Since then, of course, expressions of interest have come in, but he’s not rushing into anything. “It was a very big decision for me to leave the company I had been with for over 20 years, so I am not about to jump into something without properly evaluating it first.”

Although he wants to do something for himself, he is open to working with the right partner should one come along.  “It’s always good to have a partner,” he said. “It enhances the strength of the organisation and it’s a faster way to grow.” 

Photo: Rahul Pillai.