Previous Occupation: Business Consulting, M&A, Corporate Strategy
Present Occupation: Manager – Corporate Treasury and M&A, HPCL Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL)
Sector: Oil and Gas
Work Experience: 8.5 years
Interests – Professional/Personal:
Professional: Corporate finance, M&A, general management and organisational development.
Personal: Travelling, cooking, community development – youth development

Can you tell us a little about your family background/history?
I was born and brought up in Delhi. I come from a well-educated family where both my parents are graduates from top universities. Education was always emphasised right from childhood, and this helped shape my career.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards\special projects)?
I recently completed two big fundraising projects of more than US$2 billion. I have been instrumental in refinancing the debt portfolio of my organisation to achieve lower interest rates and higher maturity of term loans. The initiative was recognised with two highly prestigious awards – the Chambers Asia Pacific Awards 2012 and EuroWeek Asia.

Balancing my professional achievements with the joy of serving society, I work on a variety of community projects. I lead the Youth Development Programme where local youth are trained in small-scale entrepreneurship. Training is imparted through the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), an industry body established by the Planning Commission of the government of India.

Tell us about your profile pre ISB, and give us a recap of your professional life after ISB, including your career progression?
I am currently managing the corporate treasury function at HMEL where I look into five desks – project finance, capital markets, FX, M&A, and risk and audit. This is my first experience of working with an Indian corporate and I must say that the experience is equally enriching and rewarding. The kind of trust senior management places in you is unparalleled and the responsibility that you get to handle is marvellous.

I went to ISB in 2010 with seven years of work experience. I started my career with Evalueserve’s business research wing, which catered to clients across the Americas and Europe. Thereafter, I moved to Accenture to work in the consulting domain. At Accenture, I got to work with some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies and help them grow organically and inorganically. While there, I worked in more than six countries in senior roles and have handled large projects and cross-cultural teams. This journey has transformed me into a seasoned professional.

Describe your fondest memory of ISB?
As a true-blooded ISBian, I do not have one “fondest” memory because each day, some new adventure unfolded. For me, rushing to an 8 AM lecture after an all-night party, getting my head massaged by my professor while asleep during a lecture, birthday dunkings, Atrium team sessions, boring pre-placement talks, and alum “gyan” sessions – all these are cherished memories. However, one memory that always remains close to my heart is Solstice.ISB is a lot more than what just happens on campus. It is inspiring to see so many talented people under one roof; we can be proud of this community.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
ISB has taught me how to cultivate relationships and manage expectations. Now, I am more agile in my approach in gauging expectations. I have also learnt how to embrace different opinions from various people – be it family, friends or colleagues. Since I know the expectations, I can manage my time more effectively, which helps me balance multiple responsibilities.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
Through a plethora of opportunities, ISB contributes to your career development as much as you want – you just need to ask for it. While you are on campus as a student, you have access to top industry leaders. You get to network with industry honchos, politicians and bureaucrats, established alumni and academicians, all of whom help you grow professionally in the long run.

As an ISB alumnus, you get industry respect. The ISB name is well recognised in the industry. The ISB network stretches far and wide and is growing by leaps and bounds day by day. In my current role, I work with almost all the domestic and international banks and legal firms, and you won’t believe how beneficial the ISB network has proved to be. In each key position, you have one ISBian there to help you become successful in your role.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word?
Transformational.

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB ?
It’s tough to pick a single highlight, but I would say that when my three big projects came to the delivery stage, I felt that I had really accomplished something. As part of the ELP project, I was consulting one of India’s premier engineering firms on international expansion; as part of ProBono consulting, I was advising the Dean’s office on a fundraising strategy for ISB’s future projects; and as part of PaEV, I was working with three like-minded batch-mates to put together a pitch for a financial consulting company.

Managing the requirements for three major projects in addition to my studies was a challenge for me. I took them on thinking that I would manage, but I must confess I really had to work day and night for several weeks to make sure that I met ISB’s high standards.

Word of advice for the current class?
Do not lose your focus!

ISB is a place where many people get disoriented. The fast pace of life at ISB is enough to stream your energies towards activities that are not required. I have seen many people get distracted from their studies and career development and waste their time thinking that they are enjoying a yearlong party at a five-star resort called ISB.

Please utilise this year to get to know more people (we were a batch of 600… now, 770 is big enough!), develop networks, don’t restrict yourself to one, and develop relationships that will stand by you for the next 30 years of your professional journey.

What was your favourite course/class at ISB and why?
Corporate Finance and Negotiations Analysis were my two favourite classes. Corporate Finance taught me several concepts that still come in handy. After spending more than eight years in the domain, I am still amazed to find how much more there is to learn.

Negotiations Analysis is a fantastic course that I recommend to everyone. I believe that life is a big negotiation. From the time you wake up in the morning until you fall asleep, you constantly negotiate with people, and many times, with yourself.

Was there anyone during your time at ISB who acted as a mentor for you? Tell us a little about this relationship and why it was valuable.
Each faculty member at the ISB – whether permanent or visiting – acted as a mentor. There was something to learn from each one of them. Some taught courses while others taught us how to become successful in our professional lives.

In what areas can you contribute to ISB?
I would be really happy if I could contribute to the career development of the current class and fellow alumni. As an alumnus, I am available for mentoring sessions and to act as a guide during placement sessions. I also would like to contribute by building the ISB brand on various platforms. We are standing at a crucial point where alums can play a vital role in making the ISB brand shine.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
Complete ownership of the activity and total trust from the senior leadership. This mode of operations puts me in an entrepreneurial environment, which opens new horizons of thinking and leading large businesses. This not only helps me build knowledge but also establish myself in the industry as a known professional.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see?
In the oil & gas sector, I have seen how the landscape is changing and how international companies are focusing more and more on upstream activities. Refining capacities at large are consolidating and will further tend to consolidate. With refining margins at an all time low, refineries are supported by high-end petrochemical units integrated within the oil refineries to give better GRM (gross refining margins). India is a geography where the subsidy burden on essential oil products such as diesel and LPG is huge. We need to quickly move to a regime where the allocation of these natural resources is undertaken by more prudent means.

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