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Ramesh Kumar

Kuwait

Summary

Experienced Strategy & Finance Professional with 17 years of leadership and hands-on experience in all areas of finance including Strategy, FP&A, Corporate Finance, Operational Finance, Accounts & Controls, Process Improvements, Valuation, M&A, Funding, Treasury, and Capital Structure Management. Currently leading finance function of H&M MENA business, with overall experience in two leading multi-billion dollar international multi-business organizations and a regional logistics player. Experienced in working closely with Board, C-level executives, and Operations teams to enable Strategy, Finance & Investment decisions in multiple industries including Retail, F&B, Steel Fabrication, Insulation, Automotive, Logistics, Port Operations. Graduated in Finance, Strategy & Technology from premier schools in India (IIT and IIM).

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
2024
2024
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Head of Finance – H&M Mena

Alshaya Group
03.2024 - 07.2025
  • Company Overview: Alshaya Group is a multibillion-dollar enterprise operating in multiple sectors including F&B, Fashion, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy, Home Furnishing, Leisure & Entertainment with operations extending across MENA, Russia, Turkey and Europe
  • Www.alshaya.com
  • Leading the finance function for H&M MENA (~$0.6 bn) in ten countries with ~150 stores since March 2024
  • Leading the finance function, including FP&A, Financial Reporting, Strategy, and Accounts & Controls
  • Working with Business President & Al Shaya CFO to deliver top-line & bottom-line targets for the business
  • Some Key Changes / Initiatives:
  • Developed a long term strategic plan for H&M MENA to support Franchise contract re-negotiations with the host brand
  • Instrumental in negotiating with H&M host brand the detailed terms of a 5 year growth plan to enable investments in the brand
  • Built & developed the team to provide effective support in areas of planning, reporting, controls, process & decision making
  • Developed a long term strategic plan & projections for Starbucks business to support a partial divestment
  • Supported a system revamp to move to a new digital tech stack to drive digitalization of the business (Loyalty, CRM, etc.)
  • Revamped the KPIs and business performance reporting to enable timely and right decision making process
  • Implemented the right accounting, compliance, and process flow for launch of Starbucks MENA loyalty program
  • Got a private tax ruling from Dubai FTA to support the timely launch of Starbucks MENA Loyalty program
  • Developed and implemented the process for new channels viz
  • Delivery through aggregators, e-com platform Namshi
  • Instrumental in implementing Corporate BI platform and Oracle Planning tool (EPBCS)
  • Alshaya Group is a multibillion-dollar enterprise operating in multiple sectors including F&B, Fashion, Health & Beauty, Pharmacy, Home Furnishing, Leisure & Entertainment with operations extending across MENA, Russia, Turkey and Europe
  • Www.alshaya.com

Group Finance Head

Jassim Transport Company (JTC)
06.2019 - 09.2020
  • Company Overview: JTC is a leading regional player in logistics solutions and heavy equipment rental with operations in Kuwait, Qatar & KSA
  • It has four operating divisions Ports Management, Contract Logistics, Equipment Leasing and Power Rental
  • Www.jtckw.com
  • Led the finance function for JTC operations in Kuwait, Qatar and KSA
  • Managed a ~30 member finance team, including Financial Planning & Analysis, Strategy, Reporting, Accounts & Controls
  • Worked with Board, CEO, CFO, Division and Functional Heads to manage & deliver top-line and bottom-line targets/budget
  • Completed annual Budgeting and Strategic Planning for all four divisions and led the presentations for Board approval
  • Revamped the budget models to make it more bottoms-up, driven by operational and macroeconomic metrics/drivers
  • Designed and implemented a quarterly sales incentive scheme linked to three key KPIs to increase sales team effectiveness
  • Designed a structured bonus program for managers to align their KPIs and incentives to company’s targets
  • Automated operational data capture in Oracle to minimize manual data entry and improve accuracy of data and reports
  • Streamlined the operational data flow into financial/operational reports to make the reporting process more efficient, improve the accuracy and enable more value added and rich analysis to support business decision making
  • Led the development of a cost trend model to drill down each cost line item up to the account code level to enable understanding of items impacting cost
  • The model was extremely useful in cost optimization and other decision making
  • Streamlined the overtime cost capture process and set up an analytical model to link the overtime trend with key operational and financial KPIs to highlight any deviations from normal trend and to keep overtime cost in control
  • Analyzed the operational scheduling for Ports team and implemented improvements to deliver ~20% savings in overtime cost
  • Developed a bottoms-up pricing model for heavy transport (flat beds, low beds, water/fuel tankers) services
  • Evaluated over $ 50 mn investment in new equipment to meet the strategic goal of doubling revenue in 3 years
  • Led a multi-million-dollar investment in a 3PL warehousing facility to deliver 10% revenue growth
  • Prepared the road map for new revenue stream by JTC’s entry into Shuaiba port operations with significant capital outlay
  • Strengthened the analysis function by hiring analysts and training them to provide value added analysis to business
  • JTC is a leading regional player in logistics solutions and heavy equipment rental with operations in Kuwait, Qatar & KSA
  • It has four operating divisions Ports Management, Contract Logistics, Equipment Leasing and Power Rental
  • Www.jtckw.com

Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy, BD, M&A

Alghanim Industries
07.2017 - 05.2019
  • Company Overview: Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com
  • Led Corporate Strategy, BD and M&A initiatives for the group
  • Assessed and negotiated GCC wide franchising of an artisan Pizza brand with ~USD 10m investment
  • Executed $ 1m investment in a regional e-commerce player in the childcare segment
  • Evaluated an investment in $ 5m funds raising round for a mobility player based out of UAE
  • Developed business and investment strategy for Pre-Engineered Buildings (PEB/ Steel Fabrication) business
  • Engaged in a ~200m USD deal to acquire a regional PEB competitor with the potential to double revenue
  • Evaluated a ~50m USD greenfield capacity expansion for PEB business in India to achieve 25% growth in top-line
  • Assessed a high margin product line expansion by acquisition of an established player to increase revenue by 25%
  • Managed a strategic procurement transformation initiative across the group with target savings of 10-15%
  • Developed a road map for Alghanim’s entry into Power Sector with USD ~3 billion investment through partnerships with multiple international stakeholders viz
  • Developers, consultants, financing institutions, etc
  • Appraised investment in a USD 600m Wind Power project in Saudi through an equity partnership with a Saudi Group
  • Assessed an investment in $ 25m fundraising for a Commercial Real Estate in Amsterdam to generate ~14% IRR in 4 yrs
  • Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com

Senior Manager, Corporate Treasury

Alghanim Industries
05.2014 - 06.2017
  • Company Overview: Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com
  • Selected to drive high priority Corporate and Treasury initiatives
  • Executed a multi-billion dollar valuation of Alghanim Industries, to support wealth distribution among the Alghanim family, through independent external evaluators (among Big 4)
  • Managed the process end-to-end
  • Divested USD ~350k investment in a South East Asian Insulation player to generate IRR significantly higher than hurdle rate
  • Arranged a USD 50 million loan from Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) in KSA to refinance equity investment in an insulation plant to enhance return on equity
  • Reduced group’s financing cost by USD ~5m annually by renegotiating and restructuring banking relationships
  • Restructured a USD 150 million investment in Turkey for tax optimization and saved USD 100k annually
  • Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com

Senior Finance Manager, Engineering & Logistics

Alghanim Industries
05.2012 - 04.2014
  • Company Overview: Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com
  • Promoted to lead “Engineering & Logistics” finance team
  • Managed a ~25 member finance team including Financial Planning & Analysis, Strategy, and Accounts & Controls, acting as finance business partner to the business heads to manage & deliver top-line and bottom-line targets/budget
  • Completed annual budgets, provided analytical and decision support for ~$200 million businesses
  • Instrumental in geographical expansion of Engineering business with $250k investment in Qatar to deliver 20% growth
  • Led the change management in the finance department by stabilizing the closing of books through newly installed SAP, re-designing the reporting process and pre-SAP reports to leverage the new ERP system in supporting business decisions
  • Re-designed the incentive schemes for sales and operations team to make it more effective in achieving business results
  • Streamlined expense analysis to a more insightful, efficient, and automated process to help business decisions
  • Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com

Finance Manager

Alghanim Industries
06.2009 - 04.2012
  • Company Overview: Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com
  • Led group-wide strategy, budgeting/re-forecasting, business review processes, monthly management financial reporting, financial evaluations, portfolio analysis, capital allocation, and capital planning decisions for the multi-billion-dollar group
  • Modelled and prepared the business case for ~100m USD investment in XCite’s (Kuwait’s market leader in Consumer Electronics) geographical expansion into the rapidly growing Indian market to enable 25% top-line growth for XCite
  • Instrumental in USD ~10m investment in ten XCite Express stores to deliver 20% revenue growth
  • Engaged in acquisition (EV~150m USD) assessment of a South-Asian consumer electronics retail target to enable geographical expansion of consumer electronics business into South-East Asia with potential to increase revenue by 25%
  • Key contributor in driving USD ~5m revenue growth in 12 months with USD 0.5m investment by expansion of Alghanim’s private label Wansa to UAE to cater to export/re-export market in MENA and CIS countries
  • Instrumental in USD ~5m acquisition of a leading coffee brand in Kuwait to enable Alghanim’s entry into the F&B sector
  • Assessed a GCC wide franchisee for a Turkish brand of children’s furniture, Cilek, with an initial investment of USD 1m
  • Conceptualized & led the implementation of Corporate Business Intelligence program at Alghanim Industries
  • Executed a USD ~200m investment in a greenfield Stonewool insulation manufacturing facility in Saudi
  • Executed Alghanim’s entry into plants retailing through market assessment and USD 0.5m acquisition of an existing player
  • Prepared the road map for Alghanim’s entry into Oil & Gas sector in co-ordination with Schlumberger Consulting
  • Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com

Senior Financial Analyst

Alghanim Industries
06.2007 - 05.2009
  • Company Overview: Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com
  • Led group-wide strategy, budgeting/re-forecasting, business review processes, monthly management financial reporting, financial evaluations, portfolio analysis, capital allocation, and capital planning decisions for the multi-billion-dollar group
  • Modelled and prepared the business case for ~100m USD investment in XCite’s (Kuwait’s market leader in Consumer Electronics) geographical expansion into the rapidly growing Indian market to enable 25% top-line growth for XCite
  • Instrumental in USD ~10m investment in ten XCite Express stores to deliver 20% revenue growth
  • Engaged in acquisition (EV~150m USD) assessment of a South-Asian consumer electronics retail target to enable geographical expansion of consumer electronics business into South-East Asia with potential to increase revenue by 25%
  • Key contributor in driving USD ~5m revenue growth in 12 months with USD 0.5m investment by expansion of Alghanim’s private label Wansa to UAE to cater to export/re-export market in MENA and CIS countries
  • Instrumental in USD ~5m acquisition of a leading coffee brand in Kuwait to enable Alghanim’s entry into the F&B sector
  • Assessed a GCC wide franchisee for a Turkish brand of children’s furniture, Cilek, with an initial investment of USD 1m
  • Conceptualized & led the implementation of Corporate Business Intelligence program at Alghanim Industries
  • Executed a USD ~200m investment in a greenfield Stonewool insulation manufacturing facility in Saudi
  • Executed Alghanim’s entry into plants retailing through market assessment and USD 0.5m acquisition of an existing player
  • Prepared the road map for Alghanim’s entry into Oil & Gas sector in co-ordination with Schlumberger Consulting
  • Alghanim Industries is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, which is among one of the largest privately-owned companies in the GCC
  • It is in 30 plus businesses, represents 300 plus brands, and employs ~14,000 employees across 40 different countries
  • Www.alghanim.com

Summer Intern

Aranca
Mumbai
04.2006 - 06.2006
  • Company Overview: Aranca is an Independent Research Provider for global Investment Banks, Venture Capital Firms & Hedge Funds
  • Prepared business model for a US-based private Telecom equipment firm and arrived at equity value
  • Received pre-placement offer in recognition of excellent performance shown
  • Aranca is an Independent Research Provider for global Investment Banks, Venture Capital Firms & Hedge Funds

Software Engineer

Geometric Software
Pune
10.2003 - 05.2005
  • Concept, design and implementation of new modules in Solidworks (World’s #1 3-D CAD/CAM package)
  • Contributed to $5.5 mn increase in sales of SolidWorks by designing and implementing a new feature Section View Depth, which was launched successfully giving SolidWorks a competitive edge over Autodesk’s Inventor
  • Received employee stock options for being an outstanding performer (top 5% of employees)

Education

CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst

CFA Institute

MBA - Finance & Strategy

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
01.2005 - 01.2007

B.Tech. - Mechanical

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
01.1999 - 01.2003

Personal Information

  • Date of birth: 03/25/80
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Visa status: Article 18, Transferable

Custom

Start-Up Business Plan, 2006, Developed a business plan for an online food-ordering portal to raise $1 million of venture capital funding.

Timeline

Head of Finance – H&M Mena

Alshaya Group
03.2024 - 07.2025

Group Finance Head

Jassim Transport Company (JTC)
06.2019 - 09.2020

Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy, BD, M&A

Alghanim Industries
07.2017 - 05.2019

Senior Manager, Corporate Treasury

Alghanim Industries
05.2014 - 06.2017

Senior Finance Manager, Engineering & Logistics

Alghanim Industries
05.2012 - 04.2014

Finance Manager

Alghanim Industries
06.2009 - 04.2012

Senior Financial Analyst

Alghanim Industries
06.2007 - 05.2009

Summer Intern

Aranca
04.2006 - 06.2006

MBA - Finance & Strategy

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
01.2005 - 01.2007

Software Engineer

Geometric Software
10.2003 - 05.2005

B.Tech. - Mechanical

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
01.1999 - 01.2003

CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst

CFA Institute

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Ramesh Kumar