CEO Insights India

Alayman's perspective of HR's responsibilities within an organization is often reductive. But in reality, an HR leader's role is the most complex one - given that they have to deal with the most critical asset for any business, i.e. human capital. Even operating complex machinery can become easier over time owing to the predictability of the machine, yet the same cannot be said about an HR's responsibility that entails them to work with people hailing from varied cultural backgrounds, beliefs, family upbringing, thought processes, emotions, and behavior pattern. Handling all these is not a cake walk. Having Said that, We introduce Bhawna Kirpal Mital as Head-HR at a Hero Future Energies perfect strategist who handles every HR-intricacy with flair.

As a leader with remarkable attributes to communicate an inspiring vision and lead the team into a high-performing family, Bhawna is heading the HR function at HFE - scaling the brand towards the zenith with her result-driven HR strategies. She handles a multicultural and multinational workforce and brings the entire team together. Having built an able HR team and driven by supportive management, she manages end-to-end HR functions through people processes such as employee engagement & retention, employee relations, HR operations, health & safety. Never letting go of opportunities to learn, Bhawna recently got certified in HR Strategy in Transforming Organisations from the London Business School. Kindly peruse the snippet of the exclusive conversation between CEO Insights and Bhawna.

What inspired you to start your career Human Resource segment?
I feel that my career in HR happened to be because it was destined. It has been 19+ years in the domain, but ironically, I never thought I would choose this field as a career. I have

been very much inclined towards science and maths since childhood. I also completed my bachelor's in physics and aspired to work in research and science-based projects. Later, I ended up joining Banasthali Vidyapith at Rajasthan to pursue MBA, with a preference for Finance, and that was the turning point. During a summer camp when I was exposed to the HR operations at Larsen & Toubro. The values, ethics, collaborative nature of work, managing employee life cycle ­ all initiatives related to manpower excited me. That's when I decided that HR is going to be my profession.

Throw some light on your professional background and experience before joining HFE.
I started my career with Encyclopaedia Britannica in the year 2000. Subsequently, I moved to a garment manufacturing company in 2002, which gave me new experiences and exposure to both the white and blue-collar workforce. After a brief period, I got an opportunity to work with Degremont (now SUEZ Environmet) as Executive HR, handling every HR aspect single-handedly. It was a critical phase of my professional journey. At the erstwhile SUEZ Environment/Degremont Ltd, I learned and managed the amalgamation of two cultures ­ Indian and French and showcased how HR acts as a facilitator in Company's growth by people-focussed interventions.

My last stint before HFE was at Tractebel Engineering, ENGIE (erstwhile GDF SUEZ group) for 6.5 years. There, I contributed to HR and Corporate Communications. I played a vital role in ensuring that the HR framework in the Indian entity is aligned to International HR processes. My major interventions in Tractebel have been on Talent Acquisition, Training, and development, Career progression, Mobility, and Compliances.

You have been a part of Hero Future Energies for almost nine years now. Highlight some of your contributions to the organization. How has been your journey with the company?
I joined HFE at an early stage (Jan 2013) and I have been part of the growth, by providing the required impetus from a `people perspective'. Today, we have expanded our offices/presence in India, London, Singapore, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

I believe that my biggest contribution has been in transforming it from a startup to an established and leading IPP in the Indian renewable space today. With Hero, I have had the opportunity of advocating the inclusive growth of communities. Hence, CSR has been part of HFE's journey right from the beginning. CSR team has been partnering with local people from communities to implement need-based projects that lead to the upliftment of their livelihood. Initiatives have been around water conservation, availability of clean drinking water to communities, solar street lighting, access to education, and women employability thru' ASHA centers.

Illustrate your leadership personality as an HR leader. What are your broader goals for HFE?
As an HR Head, I blend modern-day HR practices with the traditional Indian value system. I always have the zeal to take up additional responsibilities, multi-task, and actively manage Administration, IT, and CSR functions at HFE. I'm focused on positioning the company as a preferred employer by value-driven culture, positivity, empowerment, equal opportunity, compliance orientation, flexibility, accountability, health, and safety.

At present, my full focus is on ensuring the digitization of processes and systems for better productivity through the `Digital Journey' campaign while having data security at the core. All of my endeavours and passion are to make HFE a great place to work.

Bhawna Kirpal Mital, Head HR, Hero Future Energies
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
'Top 100 HR Minds', '101 Most Fabulous HR Leader (India)', '4th World Women Leadership Award', featured in the list of 'Asia's Most Influential Women Leaders in Renewable Energy'. She has been contributing towards women empowerment through WICCI's ­ UP Coaching Council.