Yash Arora: A Finance Veteran Playing An Impeccable Role In Transforming and Raising The Canons of India Economy
Yash Arora
Chief Financial Officer
been accredited with success of not only of raising debt of more than 25,000 crores for about 30 projects from Indian Banks, Financial Institutions & NBFCs, Multi lateral & Bilaterals institutions but also being successful in raising equity from financial & strategic investors. Yash is having expertise in all gamut of finance such as Corporate Finance, Accounting, Working Capital Management & Treasury operations, M&A, Investor Relationship, Costing, Taxation, Risk Management and Compliances legal &Secretarial function. Apart from having the privilege of managing a few M&A as well as private equity investment transactions, Yash also holds the expertise of working in large corporates viz JK Group, Indorama S P Lohia Group, GMR Group, Private equity fund & investment Banking and JV of Indian Oil & Adani Group. He has successfully managed several Corporate Restructuring for significant trans formation & value creation through the scheme of arrangement & restructuring (mergers & demergers), and business collaborations with strategic partners or financial investors.
Below is an excerpt of Yash’s interview with CEO Insights.
What inspired you to start your journey in the capital management and investment industry. What drives you as an industry leader?
As a student, I had a lot of interest in managing financial matters and doing the analysis of corporates’ financial performance. Even at the tender age of 15, I started investing in stock markets, and began helping
my father in managing the family’s financial & investments matters. Determination to do some thing different and new has given me many unique experiences such as working out a tax neutral business transaction within the ambit and the spirit of law, value creation through M&A activities, drafting of ‘White Paper’ on performance of Indian Railways, Buyers Credit LC arrangement for procurement of Domestic Linkage Coal for a large power project,instrument in reducing ‘Bills Discounting rate to LIBOR + 10 bp, and setting new industry benchmarks on accounting of claims pending court/tribunal orders. Further, having worked in corporates and a private equity fund made me a distinct professional having experience on both sides of the table with well rounded industry insights. The clarity of purpose discipline of values or principles and focus on outcomes are what drive me today.
What is the success mantra that has helped you reach where you are today?
I have always believed that a big journey begins with the small steps and taking small new initiatives on regular basis makes the person different be it on a professional front or personal. The best way to get some thing done is to begin. It is said that success is satisfying your self not proving to others. Being a teacher’s son, I possess high moral values which have pertinently guided me to maintain my integrity in matters of corporate governance irrespective of the position & situations.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both individual and industry leader?
I am a person who believes in ‘Never Giving Up’ and as a result there are many accomplishments that I cherish. Having said that the accomplishment that I treasure the most is 'Conceptualising Creation of HoldCo' which includes collating all the family holdings & Cross holdings, Drafting of ‘White Paper’ on Indian Railways and getting bills discounting facilities at LIBOR + 10 bp (while I was working in Bangkok). Some of my other achievements encompass the acquisition of a large corporate, leading arbitration proceedings & becoming a key witness and so on.
The clarity of purpose, discipline of values or principles, and focus on outcomes are the key driving factors for me
What is the success mantra that has helped you reach where you are today?
I have always believed that a big journey begins with the small steps and taking small new initiatives on regular basis makes the person different be it on a professional front or personal. The best way to get some thing done is to begin. It is said that success is satisfying your self not proving to others. Being a teacher’s son, I possess high moral values which have pertinently guided me to maintain my integrity in matters of corporate governance irrespective of the position & situations.
In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both individual and industry leader?
I am a person who believes in ‘Never Giving Up’ and as a result there are many accomplishments that I cherish. Having said that the accomplishment that I treasure the most is 'Conceptualising Creation of HoldCo' which includes collating all the family holdings & Cross holdings, Drafting of ‘White Paper’ on Indian Railways and getting bills discounting facilities at LIBOR + 10 bp (while I was working in Bangkok). Some of my other achievements encompass the acquisition of a large corporate, leading arbitration proceedings & becoming a key witness and so on.
How has been your response to the challenges inflicted by the covid affected market and the need for new strategies. How would you describe your role in tackling those challenges?
Covid has expedited the adoption of technology,so I will call it, “a blessing in disguise”. It has taught us new ways of working and managing businesses more efficiently. Now-a-days, most of the corporates are focussing on digitalization of the processes and focus has not been limited to self sufficiency but got extended to give better experiences to our customers/ stake holders. The focus has been to use more & more RPAs(Robotic Process Automation) & AI (Artificial Intelligence) to automate entire accounting and business processes. In a few years from now, it is expected that the ‘Blockchain Technology’ will replace over 500 years old conventional accounting system which will be a game changer for the Industry as well for the Government.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behaviour that you anticipate, and what are the opportunities that you foresee as a leader?
The phenomenal growth that the Indian Economy is witnessing, the Indian Corporate Bond market is expected to double by 2025, which will provide an additional platform for Indian corporates to raise resources at relatively cheaper pricing. The key strategic advantage in raising resources through bonds is servicing at longer intervals, say 6 months or yearly basis (not on monthly basis as is the case with Banks/NBFCs), and internal accruals can be used for growth purposes which in turn will help to improve liquidity and profitability. This will eventually create higher valuation for equity shareholders.
Yash Arora, Chief Financial Officer, Indian Oil Adani Gas
A seasoned finance professional with 28 years experience across diversified sectors creating value for stakeholders, Yash is a Chartered Accountant, qualified in 1993. He is a Certified Practising Accountant(CPA)from Australia and has done a one year Senior Management Program from IIM Calcutta. A qualified valuer from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Yash has also done a few certification courses.
Hobbies–Reading, Listening to music, playing Chess, and painting
Favourite cuisine– Indian & Mexican
Favourite Book–The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma
Favourite Travel Destination- Bangkok, Hongkong, Seoul & Goa
Awards & Recognition–Best Article ship Award
Covid has expedited the adoption of technology,so I will call it, “a blessing in disguise”. It has taught us new ways of working and managing businesses more efficiently. Now-a-days, most of the corporates are focussing on digitalization of the processes and focus has not been limited to self sufficiency but got extended to give better experiences to our customers/ stake holders. The focus has been to use more & more RPAs(Robotic Process Automation) & AI (Artificial Intelligence) to automate entire accounting and business processes. In a few years from now, it is expected that the ‘Blockchain Technology’ will replace over 500 years old conventional accounting system which will be a game changer for the Industry as well for the Government.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behaviour that you anticipate, and what are the opportunities that you foresee as a leader?
The phenomenal growth that the Indian Economy is witnessing, the Indian Corporate Bond market is expected to double by 2025, which will provide an additional platform for Indian corporates to raise resources at relatively cheaper pricing. The key strategic advantage in raising resources through bonds is servicing at longer intervals, say 6 months or yearly basis (not on monthly basis as is the case with Banks/NBFCs), and internal accruals can be used for growth purposes which in turn will help to improve liquidity and profitability. This will eventually create higher valuation for equity shareholders.
Yash Arora, Chief Financial Officer, Indian Oil Adani Gas
A seasoned finance professional with 28 years experience across diversified sectors creating value for stakeholders, Yash is a Chartered Accountant, qualified in 1993. He is a Certified Practising Accountant(CPA)from Australia and has done a one year Senior Management Program from IIM Calcutta. A qualified valuer from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Yash has also done a few certification courses.
Hobbies–Reading, Listening to music, playing Chess, and painting
Favourite cuisine– Indian & Mexican
Favourite Book–The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma
Favourite Travel Destination- Bangkok, Hongkong, Seoul & Goa
Awards & Recognition–Best Article ship Award