Vasudevan Ramaswami : Leveraging Decades Of Experience To Set Benchmarks In Financial Services
Vasudevan Ramaswami
Managing Partner
Achieving his B.E. degree from VNIT Nagpur and a Masters in Management Studies (MMS) from Mumbai University, Vasudevan Ramaswami holds over 35 years of experience in the financial services sector. Over the years, he has held leadership positions in renowned organizations like Citibank, Bank of America, American Express Bank, TCS, L&T Finance and Muthoot Fincorp, among others. Vasudevan has successfully led large teams, driven business strategies, and managed operations across various roles, including as Chief Executive of L&T Housing Finance Ltd and Chief Operating Officer of Muthoot Fincorp Ltd. Since 2023, he has focused on providing strategic consulting and advisory services individually and through Verts Management Consulting, helping businesses navigate transformation and growth challenges in the retail financial services industry.
CEO Insights engaged in a one on one interaction with Vasudevan Ramaswami. Let’s hear from him.
How have the skills you acquired in and out of the classroom of VNIT Nagpur been applied to your current position?
The four years I spent at VNIT Nagpur played a pivotal role in
shaping my independence, decisiveness, and appreciation for diversity. It also significantly enhanced my analytical thinking abilities. More importantly, my time in the hostel during those formative years broadened my outlook on life, equipping me to better navigate competitive environments and tackle challenges that come my way.
How have you leveraged the alumni network during your time as a student or after graduating?
The VNIT alumni association is a dynamic and rapidly growing organization. Many alumni contribute not just financially but also through various initiatives benefiting the institution and its students. Regular alumni meet ups encourage interaction and collaboration opportunities. I’ve had the chance to reconnect with several batch mates after a long time, and our 1982 batch was honored to sponsor the installation of Shri Visvesvaraya's statue on campus in 2020. It was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful contribution.
What memory from your time at VNIT Nagpur stands out the most to you?
Several memories stand out from my time at VNIT Nagpur, as it was my first experience of leaving home and family to live independently in the hostel. Meeting friends from diverse backgrounds and seamlessly integrating into a student community with a shared goal of earning a degree was truly enriching. The challenges of managing limited finances, staying up late for exams, and competing and collaborating with peers prepared me for life ahead. I cherish the camaraderie we shared and the support we received from professors in academics, sports, and cultural activities. Those four years were a perfect blend of fun and hard work for shaping my future.
Can you share your approach to leadership? What principles or methods do you follow as a leader?
I see myself as a participative and collaborative leader, focused on driving results through my team. A leader's success depends on harnessing the strengths of team members cohesively. I emphasize on having a clear strategy and plan to achieve organizational goals, with a focus on executable, measurable actions. Honesty in approach, actions, and feedback is essential, whether it is about strengths or areas for improvement. I believe in sharing best practices and helping others consistently improve, as I often say, ‘Paintings are of no use
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it
How have you leveraged the alumni network during your time as a student or after graduating?
The VNIT alumni association is a dynamic and rapidly growing organization. Many alumni contribute not just financially but also through various initiatives benefiting the institution and its students. Regular alumni meet ups encourage interaction and collaboration opportunities. I’ve had the chance to reconnect with several batch mates after a long time, and our 1982 batch was honored to sponsor the installation of Shri Visvesvaraya's statue on campus in 2020. It was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful contribution.
What memory from your time at VNIT Nagpur stands out the most to you?
Several memories stand out from my time at VNIT Nagpur, as it was my first experience of leaving home and family to live independently in the hostel. Meeting friends from diverse backgrounds and seamlessly integrating into a student community with a shared goal of earning a degree was truly enriching. The challenges of managing limited finances, staying up late for exams, and competing and collaborating with peers prepared me for life ahead. I cherish the camaraderie we shared and the support we received from professors in academics, sports, and cultural activities. Those four years were a perfect blend of fun and hard work for shaping my future.
Can you share your approach to leadership? What principles or methods do you follow as a leader?
I see myself as a participative and collaborative leader, focused on driving results through my team. A leader's success depends on harnessing the strengths of team members cohesively. I emphasize on having a clear strategy and plan to achieve organizational goals, with a focus on executable, measurable actions. Honesty in approach, actions, and feedback is essential, whether it is about strengths or areas for improvement. I believe in sharing best practices and helping others consistently improve, as I often say, ‘Paintings are of no use
unless they are displayed to appreciate and learn from’.
With over 35 years of experience, what has been your journey to success, and what would you consider your key to achieving it?
Throughout my career, I’ve always believed in working towards a clear, coherent goal, supported by a well thought-out strategy, a strong organizational structure, capable human resources, and disciplined execution. Breaking down the plan into smaller milestones with a robust measurement system is crucial for tracking progress. Collaborative teamwork has been key to my success, and I’ve been fortunate to work with talented colleagues along the way. However, things don’t always go as planned, and when challenges arise, it’s essential to pause, reflect, and quickly course-correct. Adapting to change has always been a priority. I compare the business landscape to a game of chess, which teaches strategy, planning, resource management, execution, patience, and sometimes sacrifice, all of which are essential for achieving long-term goals.
What key factors do you consider when recom- mending solutions to your clients?
Our purpose is to 'Be a trusted partner in helping organizations achieve their business strategy, transformation, and growth'. When it comes to consulting and providing effective solutions, we focus on understanding the unique needs or challenges of each client. We collaborate with clients to pinpoint their specific requirements, create a clear, actionable plan, and guide them through its execution to ensure successful results. Our approach follows a six-step process, including Discovery, Proposal, Agreement, Design and Delivery, Implementation, and Review.
What is the future path you are aiming for?
The goal is to continue exploring consulting opportunities in retail financial services, including banks, NBFCs, HFCs, and fintechs. Additionally, I see potential in offering industry-agnostic services, particularly in human resource management and corporate governance.
Vasudevan Ramaswami, Managing Partner, Verts Management Consulting
With over 35 years of experience, Vasudevan Ramaswami is a seasoned leader in the financial services sector, having held senior roles at major organizations like BOFA, American Express, L&T Housing Finance, and Muthoot Fincorp. He now is a partner in Verts Management Consulting.
With over 35 years of experience, what has been your journey to success, and what would you consider your key to achieving it?
Throughout my career, I’ve always believed in working towards a clear, coherent goal, supported by a well thought-out strategy, a strong organizational structure, capable human resources, and disciplined execution. Breaking down the plan into smaller milestones with a robust measurement system is crucial for tracking progress. Collaborative teamwork has been key to my success, and I’ve been fortunate to work with talented colleagues along the way. However, things don’t always go as planned, and when challenges arise, it’s essential to pause, reflect, and quickly course-correct. Adapting to change has always been a priority. I compare the business landscape to a game of chess, which teaches strategy, planning, resource management, execution, patience, and sometimes sacrifice, all of which are essential for achieving long-term goals.
What key factors do you consider when recom- mending solutions to your clients?
Our purpose is to 'Be a trusted partner in helping organizations achieve their business strategy, transformation, and growth'. When it comes to consulting and providing effective solutions, we focus on understanding the unique needs or challenges of each client. We collaborate with clients to pinpoint their specific requirements, create a clear, actionable plan, and guide them through its execution to ensure successful results. Our approach follows a six-step process, including Discovery, Proposal, Agreement, Design and Delivery, Implementation, and Review.
What is the future path you are aiming for?
The goal is to continue exploring consulting opportunities in retail financial services, including banks, NBFCs, HFCs, and fintechs. Additionally, I see potential in offering industry-agnostic services, particularly in human resource management and corporate governance.
Vasudevan Ramaswami, Managing Partner, Verts Management Consulting
With over 35 years of experience, Vasudevan Ramaswami is a seasoned leader in the financial services sector, having held senior roles at major organizations like BOFA, American Express, L&T Housing Finance, and Muthoot Fincorp. He now is a partner in Verts Management Consulting.