A wave of CXO intelligence introduces the changing priorities of finance leadership in industries. Tax transformation and regulatory vigilance to treasury innovations, digital finance, healthcare funding and risk management are some of the views through which these leaders of finance are moving beyond control functions to become strategic enablers of growth, resilience, and value creation in a rapidly changing economic environment.
TAX
Tax 4.0 - From Back Office to Boardroom
Tax 4.0 is the transformation of the taxation in India as the back-office compliance role to a strategic boardroom role. Abhinav Sogani, Vice President - Global Head of Taxes, the Tata Consumer Products Limited, discusses how today tax influences business credibility, risk management and growth, which are inspired by proactive regulation, increased transparency and international standards such as BEPS and Pillar Two. The current tax leadership involves closure of litigation, forward-thinking and mutual compliance throughout the functions and the use of technology including automation, analytics, artificial intelligence and blockchain. No longer boring, tax has now turned into an essential facilitator of resilience and value creation, and the role of tax leaders is now seen as reputable counselors balancing between compliance, opportunity and reputation in a very complex business world.
LOANS
Major Challenges in Mortgage Loan Valuation Process
India’s mortgage loan valuation process continues to face challenges such as inconsistent practices, limited standardisation, and reliance on manual assessments. Satinjeet Singh, Vice President at Yes Bank, discusses how gaps in valuation expertise and pressure on independent valuers can heighten credit risk. He underscores the growing importance of technology, including AI-driven valuation models and data analytics, to improve transparency and efficiency, advocating a balanced, hybrid approach that strengthens both customer experience and credit discipline.
ADVISORY & CONSULTING
Financial Innovations Transforming Operational Efficiency in Textile Industry
The textile industry is witnessing a fundamental shift as digital finance, supply chain innovation, and fintech-led solutions redefine operational efficiency and liquidity management. Vikram Oza, Board Member & CFO at Jindal Worldwide Ltd., explains how tools such as supply chain financing, digital payments, TReDS platforms, and API-led integrations have streamlined working capital cycles and enhanced cash flow visibility. He emphasizes that embracing financial innovation not only drives operational agility and scalability but also enables textile enterprises to focus on growth, resilience, and long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive and evolving industry.
LEADERSHIP IN FINANCE
Finance Leadership in Emerging Markets: Lessons from South Asia's Media Sector
The financial landscape of South Asia’s media sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital growth, evolving revenue models, and rising cost pressures. Rohit Gupta, CFO and FP&A Head – South Asia at Warner Bros, shares how finance leadership is shifting from traditional control functions to strategic partnership, balancing creative freedom with financial accountability. He highlights the growing role of data analytics in forecasting, the rise of hybrid revenue models across digital and OTT platforms, and the need for disciplined capital allocation to manage volatility and ensure sustainable growth in emerging media markets.
CORPORATE FINANCE
Future of Corporate Finance: Emerging Trends in Treasury Solutions and Cash Management for MNCs
The future of corporate finance for multinational corporations is being shaped by increasing cross-border complexity, digital transformation, and India’s growing role as a global investment hub. Ankit Arora, Senior Vice President at YES BANK, explains how MNCs are adopting agile, technology-driven treasury and cash management solutions to manage risk, optimise working capital, and improve returns. He highlights the rise of API-led platforms, AI-enabled supply chain finance, and the expansion of global capability centres in India, positioning the country as a strategic centre for treasury innovation and long-term value creation.
HEALTHCARE FINANCING
Sustainable Healthcare Financing: Balancing Cost, Quality, and Accessibility
As healthcare systems face rising costs and growing access challenges, finance leadership is playing a pivotal role in shaping sustainable models of care. Sandhya Jayaraman, Group Chief Financial Officer at Narayana Health, outlines how sustainable healthcare financing requires balancing affordability, innovation, and access. She highlights scalable models such as micro-insurance, value-based care, and public–private partnerships to bridge healthcare gaps, while leveraging digital health, preventive care, and efficient resource allocation to deliver high-quality outcomes without escalating costs.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
RBI Maintains Vigil on Food Inflation Risks Amidst Evolving Economic Conditions
Amid global rate-cut expectations and easing inflation in developed economies, India’s monetary policy stance remains guided by domestic price stability concerns. Gaura Sengupta, Chief Economist at IDFC Bank, notes that while strong domestic growth, easing core inflation, and improving credit quality provide room for a shallow rate cut cycle, persistent food inflation risks—largely influenced by monsoon outcomes—continue to shape the RBI’s cautious approach.
REINSURANCE
Unraveling the Nitty Gritty of Reinsurance: Then, Now and the Future Outlook
As India’s insurance market evolves amid privatization, climate risks, and rising complexity in global risk transfer, reinsurance has emerged as a critical pillar of market stability and capacity building. Parijat Dutta, Former General Manager at GIC Re and Member of the Reinsurance Advisory Committee at IRDAI, reflects on the sector’s journey from a tariff-driven regime to a highly competitive, data-intensive marketplace, highlighting how underwriting discipline, treaty structures, and long-term reinsurer relationships will shape the future of India’s insurance and reinsurance ecosystem.
TREND SETTER
Odisha to Launch India's First Global Fintech Hub in Bhubaneswar on Aug 21
Odisha launched India’s first Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar on August 21, positioning the state as an emerging global FinTech and InsurTech hub. The centre will be based on the collaboration with GFTN and NUS-AIDF in Singapore, dedicated to digital skilling, innovation, and startup acceleration. Over 7,000 professionals are planned to be trained in five years. In line with Vision Odisha 2036 and 2047, the project will increase financial inclusion, enhance digital economy, and increase the contribution of the financial services sector to the GSVA of the state by a significant margin.
Nippon India Mutual Fund Launches India's First AMC Branch in Leh, Ladakh
The Nippon India mutual fund is a historic milestone since it has established the first branch in India of an asset management company in Leh, Ladakh at 11,500 ft, a significant milestone to financial inclusion in one of the most remote areas of the country. The move will enhance financial literacy, offer access to regulated investment products to the local residents and defense personnel, and incorporate Ladakh more closely with the capital markets in India. Even though there is still minimal in the categories of mutual fund penetration in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh although there has been significant growth in AAUM, the project is likely to ensure that the region fills in the investment gap and that the mutual fund ecosystem is consolidated in the coming years.
