Saurabh Agrawal is a name that has been making headlines in the business world for his exemplary contribution to the Tata Group. As the Group CFO of Tata Sons, he has been instrumental in shaping the conglomerate’s financial strategy and has been one of the most important appointments made by Tata boss N Chandrasekaran over the years.
Agrawal is an investment banking veteran with a career spanning over two decades. He started his career at Standard Chartered Bank as the regional head of corporate finance (South Asia) and later headed investment banking at DSP Merrill Lynch. He then moved to the Aditya Birla group, where he served as the head of corporate strategy before joining Tata Sons.
Agrawal’s expertise in deal-making is well-known in the industry. He spearheaded the biggest M&A deal in India, the $23 billion merger of Vodafone and Idea. He was also a driving force behind the acquisition of Jaypee Group’s cement assets by UltraTech Cement. Agrawal has also restructured Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd and Grasim Ltd. He advised Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) during its IPO in 2014.
Agrawal’s success can be attributed to his educational background and his vast experience in the financial sector. He holds a chemical engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta. He has also been a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the ‘Young Achiever Award’ by Business Today.
Agrawal’s contribution to Tata Sons has been significant, and his efforts have been duly recognized. In FY22, his annual compensation climbed by 21 percent to Rs 26 crore from Rs 21.45 crore the year before. His role as the Group CFO has been crucial in the group’s growth and expansion plans.
Agrawal’s financial acumen and deal-making skills have helped the group expand its footprint in various sectors, from salt-to-software.
In conclusion, Saurabh Agrawal is a financial whiz who has made an indelible mark in the Indian business landscape. His deal-making and financial restructuring expertise has made him a valuable asset to the Tata Group. As the Group CFO of Tata Sons, Agrawal continues to steer the conglomerate towards growth and expansion, and his contributions are sure to leave a lasting impact on the group’s future.
