Previous Occupation: Vice President Finance, Pepsico. Prior to that, I worked at Cadbury and Procter and Gamble.
Present Occupation: Director Finance at General Mills India Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai
Sector: FMCG - Foods
Work Experience: Held various roles in finance; 22 years in total
Interests – Professional/Personal: 
Professional: Mergers & Acquisitions
Personal interest: Playing golf and the guitar

Can you tell us a little about your family background/history?
I belong to a business family from Kolkata. I am the youngest in my family. My older brother is a cardiologist in Mumbai. I have two older sisters one is a practising dentist and the other is a chartered accountant. Both are married.

My wife, Dip, is an architect and practises in Mumbai. My son, Dev, studies at Podar School in Mumbai.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards\special projects)
I have worked in some of the best companies in India in the FMCG - Foods sector. I began my career with Cadbury’s in Mumbai as a management trainee, then moved to Procter and Gamble, and finally worked at PepsiCo before joining General Mills in Mumbai.

Tell us about your profile pre ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB including your career progression?
My previous response answers the first part of the question. Currently, I am a member of the management committee of General Mills India and executive director on the board. Our prime objective has been to build a profitable business in India through organic and inorganic growth. We recently completed the acquisition and integration of a Pune based food company. General Mills is the sixth largest food company in the world and owns such brands as Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Big G, Cheerios, Haagen Dazs, etc.

Describe your fondest memory of ISB?
There are many! Some are:

• Late evening idly and beer at the Hyderabad Airport on my way back.
• The LRC, for the wealth of knowledge it gave me.
• My colleagues in my class. They are among the best people I have ever met and I fondly recall dancing and drinking with them at our gala parties during every term!

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?
Absolutely, I feel that I have grown intellectually and I’m able to articulate and communicate my thoughts much better now. I have become more aware of managing and nourishing “networks.” I have become more open in my thinking and also become more people-oriented. To me, the most lasting impression is that there is so much to learn. There is no limit as long as you are willing to stretch and make an honest attempt to learn as a student.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth? 
I am sure this will be revealed over the days and years to come, but for me it’s still too early to tell (I completed my PGPMAX in October 2012). However, I do feel that I am much more competent now than when I joined the course.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word
Sharpener.

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
An outstanding faculty and the depth of their knowledge. They stimulated my mind and made me stretch to see different perspectives. It was truly a humbling experience. I thought I knew all that I needed to know after 22 years of work, only to go through each term and realise how much more there was to learn.

Word of advice for the current class?
This is the most important investment that you will ever make in yourselves and it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Put in all that you have and use every moment at ISB to the fullest. Build your network and forge strong friendships.

What was your favourite course/class at ISB and why?
It’s difficult for me to choose. Strategy and M&A would probably score at the top of my list as my work requires me to use those concepts almost daily.

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.
Not any one person, but my whole class. They were a great sounding board and absolutely fabulous human beings. I miss them all.

In what areas can you contribute to ISB?
PGPMAX is a new course and has a unique course structure. Prospective students need to understand the challenges and stress of managing the intense requirements of the curriculum and their full-time work in their offices. I have spoken with prospective students at a few of the orientation sessions to help them make the right choices. I will continue to do this for future batches if required.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
My ability to influence decisions in my organisation, more so now, as I have greater clarity and conviction after completing my PGPMAX course.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see?
I work in the food industry. I see “convenience” – cooking simplified  as a significant emerging trend. Women today have many choices and don’t want to be tied down to the kitchen. They are willing to pay a “price” for convenience. Also, with a growing middle class and a fragmented food industry, we are likely to see the consolidation of smaller entities with larger ones.

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