Abdul Razak Dawood was the Founder of Descon, which is involved in Engineering and Construction, Chemicals, Power and Inspection. He graduated in Mining Engineering from Newcastle University UK and in 1968 obtained his Master degree in Business Administration from Columbia University, NYC, USA. He started his career in the family business at Lawrencepur Woolen and Textile Mills in 1968 and was then transferred to Dawood Hercules Chemical Limited and became the Managing Director from 1973 till 1981. In 1981 he moved to Descon Engineering (Pvt.) Limited, as its founder and till date has been associated with Descon in the capacity of Managing Director and now as the Chairman.

Descon Engineering is perhaps the first Pakistani multinational company which is operating in six countries, and having four overseas manufacturing units and more than 30,000 employees. Descon’s employees include over 30 nationalities working in Pakistan and The Middle East. Razak Dawood oversaw the expansion of Descon from Engineering and Construction to Chemicals and Power businesses and now Descon is a recognized brand. He is a former Federal Minister and held the portfolio of Commerce, Industries & Production from November 1999 till November 2002 and also is a former Director of the State Bank of Pakistan.

Razak has been deeply involved in education for many years. His interest in education started when he became a visiting faculty member at the newly established MBA Programme at the University of Punjab. He taught from 1975 till 1981. His interest increased when he became one the founders of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and has been the Rector of the University from its inception. Currently he is Chairman of the Managing Committee of the University.

Recently he has joined the Board of Namal College to become an affiliate college of University of Bradford, UK and has joined the challenge to create a centre of excellence in a very backward area of Pakistan. He became a trustee of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital at its inception and remained with the hospital for 10 years. He was one of the founders and first Chairman of the Pakistan Business Council, a new forum on economic policies.