Working abreast with the Chief Executive, today's CFOs are not just practitioners of traditional finance. They are a friend, philosopher, and guide for the CEOs and are experts in business, macroeconomics, analytics, risk management, acquisition, retention, and more. A particularly fi ne example of a versatile, energetic, successful, modern-day CFO is Radha Ramanujan, Chief Financial Officer at Ashirvad Pipes India, and winner of the “Most Influential CFO” award by CIMA - 2015.

The industry veteran with nearly three decades of experience in strategic and operational aspects, she has played a significant role in the evolution of many organizations of different sectors. She was part of organizations like Reliance Retail Lifestyle Group, Landmark Group/SPAR (Middle East), Coats UK, Aditya Birla-Madura Garments & Arvind Mills, FMC Corporation, USA, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (Govt Co.), Wipro Infotech, ITC Hotels & Chai Point. Her association with giants in retail, textile, agrochemical, aeronautical, IT, hospitality, and F&B industries, enhanced her expertise in leading the organization with efficiency and contributing to its growth. At present, she is working with Aliaxis SA – Ashirvad Pipes P Ltd since Sept 2019. In an interview with Women Entrepreneur India, Radha shares details on her personal life, professional journey, and further endeavours that are inspiring.

Brief us on your household, educational and professional background.

Born in a very humble Brahmin Iyengar Family, I believe in cultural and traditional values. My father was very upset to have his second kid also a female and did not come to see me for 11 days, till the naming ceremony. His only aim was to get his two daughters married.

I studied the first standard at the age of 3 in Ooty and was very strong in academics. When minimum age was introduced for writing 10th exams, my age was increased by two years, and now realising how much I will lose in earning retiring two years early. I was always the youngest in my class. Being part of an orthodox family, I was not allowed to wear any modern clothes, still managed to participate in school athletics competition without informing parents. I won many certificates of merits in sports and cultural activities and could go upto participating in a district-level competition. I secured State Rank in Accountancy in 12th grade and joined the prestigious Ethiraj College, in Chennai under sports quota. I Completed B.Com and simultaneously passed shorthand & typewriting higher grade exams.

I am a cost accountant and company secretary and, have proven records of establishing cross-functional partnerships to turn around companies. Converted strategies into operating models with clear actionable. My strength was increasing the profitability. Apart from heading finance and secretarial functions, have also headed Planning & Supply chain, Procurement, IT, HR/ Admin & Legal functions. I worked very closely with the CEO’s in setting start-ups for large conglomerates/ MNC’s, established e-commerce for lifestyle and hypermarket business, set up manufacturing plants, distribution and retain networks. Once of the first set of employees in FMC, Reliance Trends, was so thrilled when the first invoice was made and now they have become over a billion dollar companies in India. I could bring in nationalised banks to lend for a start up and felt happy when they said that they are lending because I would not have chosen to work with a wrong company. Very lucky to have got encouraging bosses throughout my career.

You have been courageous enough to follow your passion, even while being in a conservation family. Were there any challenges you encountered during this journey - personally or professionally?

Yes, I did face many challenges. I got married in 1990 and moved to Bangalore at the age of 21. I took up the clerical job (stenographer/secretary) as could not stay idle at home. I had my first baby in 1991. An accident during pregnancy resulted in the boy having a complication. We got over with a few major and multiple minor operations for the baby while continuing the career and not stopping studies. I successfully become Grad CWA in 1993 and AICWA immediately.

“Radha has proven records of establishing cross-functional partnerships to turn around companies”

We had our second boy in 1997. To our surprise, the second boy also had challenges, not speaking till 3 years though doctors could not diagnose any specific disease. Taking support of some crèches, I managed to continue the job while persuading Company Secretary Course. I became a company secretary in 1999. Meanwhile, the second child started showing some progress and the first child started becoming an all rounder in studies and sports.

At the age of 35 (actual 33) I became the CFO and Co. Secretary for FMC India , part of a leading American Multinational, while my first son managed to win the All India NTSE scholarship & Gold Medal in the Australasia Mathematics competition. He has earned so much reputation in turning around a Startup, a few high net worth group introduce me as mother of Srinath Ramanujan, which I am very proud off.

Family plays a crucial role in a person’s growth. How supportive has your family been through your journey? And, how do you manage the work-life balance?

While I was born as an unwanted girl, I made my father feel so proud of me. After getting the first professional qualification I moved to a management position. I did not have a mother in law and my parents lived in Chennai. Father got into dialysis quite early in life and my mother had to shuttle here and there. She was an inspiration and back bone of my success, and my sons took over some responsibilities from me. I thank the creches who used to take care of my kids.

I have not once diluted my responsibilities as a mother and wife. I had to change my cooking style to the taste buds of kids, included onion/garlic, etc., which were not allowed at our house earlier. We ensured eating only at home to prevent any disease to children because of outside food and to create dependency on me (a bit selfish) and not to lose out their love and affection in the career progression.

I managed hectic travel in such a way, I travel on weekends - morning evening flight, etc., and to a large extent imposing work only on self and not on anyone else. The process of balancing home and office also trained the children to be self–dependent and they can also manage cooking for their survival and at times make special dishes as well. My modest and humble husband has always managed with whatever was available and never halted me in my career progression.

I am proud to say that I am a down-to-earth cousin for my lovely cousins, a lovely sister for my sister, and a jovial friend for my friends. I lost my Mom recently otherwise I was also a nice to have daughter.

Radha Ramanujan, Chief Financial Officer, Ashirvad

Awards & Accolades :

• State Rank Holder in Accountancy in II PUC

• Cleared both professional exams in the First attempt

• Won “Super Women Achiever in Retail” awarded by Asia Retail Congress in 2009

• Won Runner award given by global as “Leading Woman CFO in India” in 2011

• Won “Most Influential CFO” award given by CIMA in 2015

• Exemplary Women Leadership Award received in the 10th Express Logistics & Supply Chain Summit – 2016

• Recognized by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India as one of the top 10 women leaders – 2017

• 100 Top Retail Minds in India – Asia Africa Retail Congress- 2018

• Guest speaker in Retailers Association of India, Exito, IeRS, Regional Chapter of ICS, and a few other associations.