Madhav Bhatia: Driving Innovation And Growth In The Construction Industry
Madhav Bhatia
Director
After earning a degree in civil engineering, he joined the family business as a project director, managing power sector projects, which included construction of chimneys and cooling towers. Seeking to broaden his expertise, Madhav pursued a master’s degree at UCL, gaining insights into project financing and global industry practices. Returning in 2021, he took on a directorial role, transitioning from power to road projects. Passionate about construction, Madhav combines deep-rooted dedication with innovation, driving Shivalik Buildtech toward a sustainable and impactful future.
In a recent interview with CEO Insights magazine, Madhav shared his strategies, future roadmap, and vision for the company. Let's read about it.
What is the most valuable lesson or experience you gained from University College London?
University College London taught me the value of networking and socializing. I met incredible people at UCL, who taught me the value of forming connections and relationships. Academically,
the course greatly improved my under standing of the economics in the construction sector. I acquired priceless knowledge about building projects, funding, and the inner workings of the industry, all of which have become crucial to my success and career path.
How have the skills you learned at the university been applied to your current role?
The abilities I acquired have been extremely beneficial, particularly in the areas of project financing and networking. In order to bring vendors on board, acquire materials, and oversee intricate partnerships, networking is crucial for anyone working on engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects. Building and leveraging professional relationships is a critical skill in our work, and UCL taught me how to do it effectively.
The information I learned about project financing has also been invaluable. It has improved my capacity to collaborate with banks, create financial plans, and effectively manage resources, all of which are essential as I lead and oversee our company.
How accessible were the faculty to students at the university?
All the professors are highly responsive to queries and are just an email away. I could send a professor an email late at night and usually get a response by five or six in the morning. They were very knowledgeable and willing to assist, and some of them still stay in contact with me today, even pushing me to do doctoral research.
What is your most memorable experience from your time at the university?
The dissertation procedure at University College London stands out in my memory the most. I got the chance to interact with senior managers from various international industries, including those in Malaysia, the U.S., India, the UK, and Spain. This process was tremendously enlightening and provided insightful connections. It stands out as the most memorable and influential aspect of my time at university.
How have the skills you learned at the university been applied to your current role?
The abilities I acquired have been extremely beneficial, particularly in the areas of project financing and networking. In order to bring vendors on board, acquire materials, and oversee intricate partnerships, networking is crucial for anyone working on engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects. Building and leveraging professional relationships is a critical skill in our work, and UCL taught me how to do it effectively.
We should work to make the construction industry a better, more professional place for innovation and development
The information I learned about project financing has also been invaluable. It has improved my capacity to collaborate with banks, create financial plans, and effectively manage resources, all of which are essential as I lead and oversee our company.
How accessible were the faculty to students at the university?
All the professors are highly responsive to queries and are just an email away. I could send a professor an email late at night and usually get a response by five or six in the morning. They were very knowledgeable and willing to assist, and some of them still stay in contact with me today, even pushing me to do doctoral research.
What is your most memorable experience from your time at the university?
The dissertation procedure at University College London stands out in my memory the most. I got the chance to interact with senior managers from various international industries, including those in Malaysia, the U.S., India, the UK, and Spain. This process was tremendously enlightening and provided insightful connections. It stands out as the most memorable and influential aspect of my time at university.
What is your leadership approach, and what guidelines or methodologies do you follow?
I support delegation and empowerment in my role as a leader. I grant my team the autonomy and freedom they need to succeed in their positions without placing needless pressure on them. I just expect account ability from them. Even though this method can present difficulties at times, especially when dealing with less productive and irresponsible people, I view every experience as a chance to grow and learn.
I also place a lot of emphasis on spotting and keeping talented people, which helps me effectively lead projects and my organization.
Where do you see yourself in the long term of your professional journey?
I see the development and expansion of my company as being entwined with my career path. We are making significant investments in the growth sector over the next five years to make the business more sustainable. Our company motto is “ Innovating Construction for a Better Tommorrow”. We really believe this and are working in line with it.
There are notable sustainability and automation gaps in the Indian construction sector in particular, which I hope to fill. I hope to increase productivity and propel advancement by integrating AI into the business's daily operations.
My goal is for our organization to become a leader in sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. The company's objectives and my own goals are in line, which promotes industry innovation and growth by taking a comprehensive approach.
Madhav Bhatia, Director, Shivalik Build tech
Madhav Bhatia has a Bachelor's in Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of Birmingham and a Master's in Construction Economics and Management from UCL. He also completed a skill development course in People Management at IIM Bangalore.
•Hobbies: Reading, Traveling, Listening to Music
•Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
•Favorite Travel Destination: London
I support delegation and empowerment in my role as a leader. I grant my team the autonomy and freedom they need to succeed in their positions without placing needless pressure on them. I just expect account ability from them. Even though this method can present difficulties at times, especially when dealing with less productive and irresponsible people, I view every experience as a chance to grow and learn.
I also place a lot of emphasis on spotting and keeping talented people, which helps me effectively lead projects and my organization.
Where do you see yourself in the long term of your professional journey?
I see the development and expansion of my company as being entwined with my career path. We are making significant investments in the growth sector over the next five years to make the business more sustainable. Our company motto is “ Innovating Construction for a Better Tommorrow”. We really believe this and are working in line with it.
There are notable sustainability and automation gaps in the Indian construction sector in particular, which I hope to fill. I hope to increase productivity and propel advancement by integrating AI into the business's daily operations.
My goal is for our organization to become a leader in sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies. The company's objectives and my own goals are in line, which promotes industry innovation and growth by taking a comprehensive approach.
Madhav Bhatia, Director, Shivalik Build tech
Madhav Bhatia has a Bachelor's in Engineering in Civil Engineering from the University of Birmingham and a Master's in Construction Economics and Management from UCL. He also completed a skill development course in People Management at IIM Bangalore.
•Hobbies: Reading, Traveling, Listening to Music
•Favorite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
•Favorite Travel Destination: London