Saurabh Tamang: SGL's Legal & Compliance Chief Steering The Company Through Ever-Changing Regulatory Terrain
Saurabh Tamang
Head – Legal
Throughout his 15-year career, Saurabh has held senior or lead positions at several prominent international organizations. With vast experience in handling diverse legal matters and advising on a myriad of issues and disciplines, currently, he is offering contracts, legal, risk management & compliance, dispute resolution including litigation & arbitration, and regulatory assistance to Sahakar Global. Saurabh has worked extensively in the areas of law related to media & entertainment, information technology, real estate & infrastructure development, education, and finance and the company benefits immensely from Saurabh's counsel because of his extensive experience in handling a broad range of legal matters.
Below is an excerpt of Saurabh’s exclusive interaction with CEO Insights magazine.
What inspired you to venture into the legal domain?
My father is also a lawyer at the High Court of Sikkim, hence I come from a legal family. I feel fortunate to be a second-generation lawyer and I am delighted to say that my father has been the driving force behind my success and the guiding light on my path toward a career in law. Hence, I chose to venture into the legal field.
How would you define Sahakar Global as an organization and its current position in the market?
Sahakar Global has been the pioneer in the octroi and toll collection markets and is now an industry leader in the user fee collection and ECC Fast Tag business. It is also a formidable player in the real estate and infrastructure development sector. When it comes to user fee collection, Sahakar Global is the largest revenue contributor to the National Highway Authority of India, bringing in between 15 percent to 20 percent of the authority's overall income in relation to user fee collection. The company has been honoured by several groups for its philanthropic & social initiatives over the last three decades, in addition to its many accomplishments.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
Integrity and having fundamental beliefs that are congruent with the ideals and fundamental values of one's organization are, in my opinion, the cornerstones of effective leadership. Now, this would guarantee that the organization and all its constituents undergo favourable changes and expand. Accordingly, I adhere to a value-based leadership approach that is in sync with the aims and founding principles of the organization and I strive to ensure that I have the right perspective to advise and motivate all stakeholders. In this manner, I'll be able to contribute to the finest possible outcomes; as my constant endeavour is to ensure that I am able to assist, guide, and deliver the best legal solutions and results to all concerned.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization toward the future?
Generally speaking, I attempt to stay up with the changes in the rules and regulations as they pertain to my
Sahakar Global has been the pioneer in the octroi and toll collection markets and is now an industry leader in the user fee collection and ECC Fast Tag business. It is also a formidable player in the real estate and infrastructure development sector. When it comes to user fee collection, Sahakar Global is the largest revenue contributor to the National Highway Authority of India, bringing in between 15 percent to 20 percent of the authority's overall income in relation to user fee collection. The company has been honoured by several groups for its philanthropic & social initiatives over the last three decades, in addition to its many accomplishments.
Integrity & having fundamental beliefs that are congruent with the ideals & fundamental values of one's organization are, in my opinion, the cornerstones of effective leadership
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?
Integrity and having fundamental beliefs that are congruent with the ideals and fundamental values of one's organization are, in my opinion, the cornerstones of effective leadership. Now, this would guarantee that the organization and all its constituents undergo favourable changes and expand. Accordingly, I adhere to a value-based leadership approach that is in sync with the aims and founding principles of the organization and I strive to ensure that I have the right perspective to advise and motivate all stakeholders. In this manner, I'll be able to contribute to the finest possible outcomes; as my constant endeavour is to ensure that I am able to assist, guide, and deliver the best legal solutions and results to all concerned.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization toward the future?
Generally speaking, I attempt to stay up with the changes in the rules and regulations as they pertain to my
business and the company. To avoid falling behind the game, I do my best to follow current developments in the industry.
What are the major challenges you have encountered initially while establishing yourself as a successful leader in the legal domain? How did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?
In 2006, when I first started in the industry, legal counsels were not a significant element of most companies. There was little value placed on the work of inhouse lawyers. In addition, it was only regarded as a support role and an expense to the enterprise. However, this perspective has evolved through time, and I believe that at this point in time, the vast majority of businesses recognize the value and significance of the legal function. Increasingly, businesses are spending money on highcalibre attorneys with relevant expertise. This, therefore, was the first obstacle I had to overcome when I initially began my professional career.
In addition, I believe it is difficult to deliver a solution while simultaneously satisfying the company's legal and commercial needs. To ensure that I am well equipped to supply any legal and complian cerelated solutions, I prefer to regularly update myself on the latest developments, projects, news, changes in laws and regulations, and other industry-related challenges. It's also important for me to maintain professional relationships with other attorneys, judges, and business executives.
What is the future destination you are heading towards?
As a professional, I want to one day, be in a position to aid all groups with which I'm affiliated. Because I want to be there for them in whatever way I can, help them succeed in any matter related to the law, and set myself up to mentor the next generation of attorneys.
Saurabh Tamang, Head - Legal, Sahakar Global
Saurabh completed his Bachelor in Law from Government Law College Mumbai. He began his professional journey with JPMorgan Chase and then has been part of various prominent companies like Thomson Reuters, Blue Star Infotech, and GroupM (WPP Group), and also served as the Legal Counsel for Sikkim University (Central University). Currently, Saurabh is the Head of the Legal Department at Sahakar Global.
What are the major challenges you have encountered initially while establishing yourself as a successful leader in the legal domain? How did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?
In 2006, when I first started in the industry, legal counsels were not a significant element of most companies. There was little value placed on the work of inhouse lawyers. In addition, it was only regarded as a support role and an expense to the enterprise. However, this perspective has evolved through time, and I believe that at this point in time, the vast majority of businesses recognize the value and significance of the legal function. Increasingly, businesses are spending money on highcalibre attorneys with relevant expertise. This, therefore, was the first obstacle I had to overcome when I initially began my professional career.
In addition, I believe it is difficult to deliver a solution while simultaneously satisfying the company's legal and commercial needs. To ensure that I am well equipped to supply any legal and complian cerelated solutions, I prefer to regularly update myself on the latest developments, projects, news, changes in laws and regulations, and other industry-related challenges. It's also important for me to maintain professional relationships with other attorneys, judges, and business executives.
What is the future destination you are heading towards?
As a professional, I want to one day, be in a position to aid all groups with which I'm affiliated. Because I want to be there for them in whatever way I can, help them succeed in any matter related to the law, and set myself up to mentor the next generation of attorneys.
Saurabh Tamang, Head - Legal, Sahakar Global
Saurabh completed his Bachelor in Law from Government Law College Mumbai. He began his professional journey with JPMorgan Chase and then has been part of various prominent companies like Thomson Reuters, Blue Star Infotech, and GroupM (WPP Group), and also served as the Legal Counsel for Sikkim University (Central University). Currently, Saurabh is the Head of the Legal Department at Sahakar Global.