Chandrika Choudhry : Navigating Global Taxation Systems With Vision & Precision
Chandrika Choudhry
Regional Head Taxation, Intertek
Chandrika Choudhry, the Regional Head of Taxation at Intertek, represents this spirit. Her philosophy of embodied learning guides her to take any challenge, no matter how difficult or unfamiliar.
This attitude has enabled her to become a matchless expert in taxation in several countries and develop agendas that ensure regulatory adherenceand business development.
She is central in Intertek, a 130-year-old service leader in total quality assurance, providing innovative solutions in the area of assurance, testing, inspection, and certification to companies across the world.
"Always be prepared for tomorrow as you never know which door is open for you"
With over two decades of experience, Chandrika specializes in direct and indirect taxation, international tax, transfer pricing, and compliance management. Her experience as a specialist is exceptional due to her strong technical skills, professionalism in execution, and fearlessness in solving new problems.
Through learning the spirit of law and remaining ever in the learning process, she has emerged as a transformational leader, which has helped to penetrate the complicated tax environments and achieve operational excellence and transformative business results.
We are delighted to engage in an exclusive interview with Chandrika, who walks us through her expertise, leadership style and vision.
How do you balance tax compliance with business growth across diverse regions?
Tax compliance and business growth go together when you align taxation with the entire business and supply chain cycle. My process for this involves determining areas and points of taxation, maximization of input credits, maintain robust documentation to support transactions and avoiding any tax leakages.
Understanding the business end-to-end allows us to integrate tax without disrupting operations. With subject expertise and the support of technology through automated accounting, invoicing, and compliance systems, we achieve seamless operations while staying fully compliant. This approach helps the business grow efficiently while minimizing risk.
Can you describe your leadership style and the key approaches you use to guide your team?
When working with Gen Z and millennials, there’s no single leadership style that fits. Flexibility and delegation are key. I focus on under standing each person’s capabilities through regular, open conversations, discussing how they want to approach tasks, and setting clear expectations and deadlines. I believe in them and ensure they possess the necessary resources and technology. It is a relaxed, interactive style - one that is personalized to each specific person, but lets them work in a manner that fits them and meets the target of the team.
How do you stay updated on industry trends and developments?
I stay updated through extensive reading of newspapers, economic journals, online resources and attending seminars. My long commute also gives me time to catch up on these readings. Additionally, working in a multinational environment allows me to gain practical experience by implementing these evolving
Tax compliance and business growth go together when you align taxation with the entire business and supply chain cycle. My process for this involves determining areas and points of taxation, maximization of input credits, maintain robust documentation to support transactions and avoiding any tax leakages.
Embrace patience, as impulsiveness can under -mine growth
Understanding the business end-to-end allows us to integrate tax without disrupting operations. With subject expertise and the support of technology through automated accounting, invoicing, and compliance systems, we achieve seamless operations while staying fully compliant. This approach helps the business grow efficiently while minimizing risk.
Can you describe your leadership style and the key approaches you use to guide your team?
When working with Gen Z and millennials, there’s no single leadership style that fits. Flexibility and delegation are key. I focus on under standing each person’s capabilities through regular, open conversations, discussing how they want to approach tasks, and setting clear expectations and deadlines. I believe in them and ensure they possess the necessary resources and technology. It is a relaxed, interactive style - one that is personalized to each specific person, but lets them work in a manner that fits them and meets the target of the team.
How do you stay updated on industry trends and developments?
I stay updated through extensive reading of newspapers, economic journals, online resources and attending seminars. My long commute also gives me time to catch up on these readings. Additionally, working in a multinational environment allows me to gain practical experience by implementing these evolving
regulations in collabo - ration with consultants and internal teams. The continuous education and practical application have made me keep up with any changes that occur in the industry, and I find this combination very effective.
What is your envisioned roadmap for the next five years?
In the next five years, I intend to upskill through a law degree. Being a Chartered Accountant the legal knowledge will supplement my knowledge of taxation, and this will boost my professional capacity. This would be a great addition to my growth, both personally and professionally while offering more profound solutions, enhanced compliance and litigation strategies. I also plan to take up a few relevant AI courses.
What advice would you give to upcoming leaders?
Be patient because acting impulsively may hinder development. Take the time to deeply understand problems and build strong technical knowledge, rather than relying solely on shortcuts or AI tools, which provide only surface-level solutions. Trust your creativity and human potential; machines are ultimately created by humans, and nothing replaces original thinking. Continually upgrade skills, be adaptable, and adjust to the fast-changing and dynamic environment in order to be ahead of the curve and manage disruptions efficiently.
Chandrika Choudhry, Regional Head Taxation, Intertek
A detail oriented sharp strategist, her expertise in taxation across geographies has helped navigate complex tax regulations to ensure compliance and build tax efficiency.
•Hobbies: Reading
•Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
•Favorite Travel Destination: Bali and the Philippines
•Favorite Cuisine: Mughlai and South Indian
Awards & Recognitions:
•Women Leadership Awards
•Internal Company Awards
What is your envisioned roadmap for the next five years?
In the next five years, I intend to upskill through a law degree. Being a Chartered Accountant the legal knowledge will supplement my knowledge of taxation, and this will boost my professional capacity. This would be a great addition to my growth, both personally and professionally while offering more profound solutions, enhanced compliance and litigation strategies. I also plan to take up a few relevant AI courses.
What advice would you give to upcoming leaders?
Be patient because acting impulsively may hinder development. Take the time to deeply understand problems and build strong technical knowledge, rather than relying solely on shortcuts or AI tools, which provide only surface-level solutions. Trust your creativity and human potential; machines are ultimately created by humans, and nothing replaces original thinking. Continually upgrade skills, be adaptable, and adjust to the fast-changing and dynamic environment in order to be ahead of the curve and manage disruptions efficiently.
Chandrika Choudhry, Regional Head Taxation, Intertek
A detail oriented sharp strategist, her expertise in taxation across geographies has helped navigate complex tax regulations to ensure compliance and build tax efficiency.
•Hobbies: Reading
•Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
•Favorite Travel Destination: Bali and the Philippines
•Favorite Cuisine: Mughlai and South Indian
Awards & Recognitions:
•Women Leadership Awards
•Internal Company Awards