Naveen Chandra Kushwaha: Leading Armour With Strategic Legal Planning & Advisory
Naveen Chandra Kushwaha
Head - Legal
Engaging in a one-to-one interaction with the team of CEO Insights magazine, Naveen highlights upon his professional journey and how he is making constant efforts towards steering Under Armour South APAC business towards globally recognized online and offline platforms while managing integral part of companies’ legal operations.
Throw some light on your professional background and experiences. What is it that led you to the sporting goods industry and keeps you motivated everyday?
Today, a qualified Company Secretary and Law Graduate, I started my professional journey way back in year 2005 with commodity market trading. Later, in the year 2007, I joined public listed company as a Company Secretary, looking after secretarial compliance function under Corporate Laws, SEBI guidelines and listing agreements. Further in 2010, I got an opportunity to manage independently Initial Public Issue (IPO) of consumer durable company and in record time of nine months, we had completed legal due diligence, drafting of prospectus, approvals from various authorities and listing with National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. Moving ahead, in 2012, I got an opportunity to work with the global reputed sporting brand 'Adidas group' where I was appointed as Legal Counsel and Company Secretary of Reebok India. It was soon after joining that I was given the task as a member of internal investigating team to investigate into the past financial irregularities of Reebok India and to assist top government investigating agencies of India in concluding their investigations. Post year 2015, I got involved into the business expansion and strengthening of internal control affairs of the Adidas group and got an opportunity to work on short term assignment at Adidas greater China, Shanghai, this is where I learned the various aspect of retail business arrangements, anti trust laws, privacy laws and best business practices of Asia Pacific region. During 2017-19, I worked with other multinational companies like Country Garden and Luxottica India (RayBan) and evolved myself with next level of professional legal experience.
It was in the year 2019 when I got the opportunity to join this renowned sporting and fitness brand ‘Under Armour’. Since then, have worked extensively for the expansion of Under Armour across
India. With the expansion of business of Under Armour in APAC region, has also been given additional responsibility for contractual legal support for business expansion in the South APAC region where I am working on various contract negotiations and drafting for Under Armour Singapore and other affiliate companies in Malaysia,Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Brunei, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Having worked across a range of companies over the years, today, I strongly believe that - ‘there is no shortcut to success, and it is essential to adapt yourself with dynamic changing world by way of feeding yourself with more knowledge and experiences’.
Tell us about Under Armour. What are the measures adopted by the firm to augment on its global reputation? What is it that gives you an edge over your competitors?
Being a US based Sporting and Fitness company, over the last one decade, Under Armour has expanded its market share into the international markets including APAC region. To make the brand into a globally recognized name, Under Armour adheres to best practices for compliance, ethics, employment, and management of the workforce. It has entered professional team sponsorship and individual athlete endorsements which facilitate a specific target market campaign. Further, to enhance its competitive edge, the company also utilizes several distribution channels that include owned retail and factory outlets, online sites, franchises, and affiliate companies.
At Under Armour, we represent for the following values and our vision is ‘to inspire you with performance solutions you never knew you needed and can’t imagine living without’. Working towards our mission ‘to make you better’ through the development, marketing and distribution of branded performance apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and youth, we at Under Armour are vesting our efforts towards building the high performing, high quality, extremely durable and comfortable products that customers wear to perform better.
Under Armour owns strategic advantage in comparison to its peers by way of its innovatively designed products that inspire you with performance solutions you never knew you needed and can’t imagine living without.
Based on your professional experiences from your previous ventures, what is the impact that you are bringing to the company with your current role?
Over the past years, I have worked with various retail and consumer segment multinational companies where I have earned rich experiences regarding various business model operations, drafting and negotiations skills, risk assessment and mitigation, compliances under various laws and rules including South APAC region. Some of the major assignments handled by me include Managing IPOs, Handling Merger and Amalgamation, Investigation of Financial Irregularities, Extending Legal support in Business Expansion across India and South Asia region, and much more.
To make the brand into a globally recognized name, Under Armour adheres to innovative product, ethical best practices for compliance and management of the workforce
Tell us about Under Armour. What are the measures adopted by the firm to augment on its global reputation? What is it that gives you an edge over your competitors?
Being a US based Sporting and Fitness company, over the last one decade, Under Armour has expanded its market share into the international markets including APAC region. To make the brand into a globally recognized name, Under Armour adheres to best practices for compliance, ethics, employment, and management of the workforce. It has entered professional team sponsorship and individual athlete endorsements which facilitate a specific target market campaign. Further, to enhance its competitive edge, the company also utilizes several distribution channels that include owned retail and factory outlets, online sites, franchises, and affiliate companies.
At Under Armour, we represent for the following values and our vision is ‘to inspire you with performance solutions you never knew you needed and can’t imagine living without’. Working towards our mission ‘to make you better’ through the development, marketing and distribution of branded performance apparel, footwear and accessories for men, women and youth, we at Under Armour are vesting our efforts towards building the high performing, high quality, extremely durable and comfortable products that customers wear to perform better.
Under Armour owns strategic advantage in comparison to its peers by way of its innovatively designed products that inspire you with performance solutions you never knew you needed and can’t imagine living without.
Based on your professional experiences from your previous ventures, what is the impact that you are bringing to the company with your current role?
Over the past years, I have worked with various retail and consumer segment multinational companies where I have earned rich experiences regarding various business model operations, drafting and negotiations skills, risk assessment and mitigation, compliances under various laws and rules including South APAC region. Some of the major assignments handled by me include Managing IPOs, Handling Merger and Amalgamation, Investigation of Financial Irregularities, Extending Legal support in Business Expansion across India and South Asia region, and much more.
At my current role, I am playing cross jurisdictional legal function by the way of providing support to India and South East Asia region including assisting them in data protection including privacy and protecting intellectual property rights in the region. Working closely with various business teammates to avoid any anti-trust compliance issue, to strictly comply with ABAC policies and to follow code of conduct and best business practices while performing any business obligations in the region, these are some of my focus areas at present.
Tell us about the various milestones that you have achieved in your professional journey and have bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both individually and professionally?
In my professional journey so far, my most satisfying experience has been with the two top most sporting company 'Adidas and Under Armour'. It was during my work tenure at Adidas that I worked on ‘investigation of Reebok financial irregularities’, implementation of online compliance, learning the greater APAC region business structure and practices, and these projects significantly contributed to my skills. With Under Armour, I worked towards Business expansion of India and South APAC region, negotiation and drafting contracts by understanding the South APAC region foreign laws with regard to retail structure, e-Comm, supply chain, privacy and data protection laws. Learning and Execution have been a continuous process and we are marching ahead with it.
So far, in my tenure at Under Armour, the company has successfully established its operations in India and also expanded itself in South APAC region. For this I have been recognized with Under Armour Asia Pacific Recognition Award 'APAC Spot Bonus Program' to recognize display of Under Armour value with outstanding contribution in key initiatives and projects. During my tenure in Country Garden in year 2018 among 500 participants awarded 'Top 10 World Class Enterprises World Class Lecturer across globe’.
“Having worked across a range of companies over the years, Naveen strongly believes that - ‘there is no shortcut to success, and it is essential to adapt yourself with dynamic changing world by way of feeding yourself with more knowledge and experiences”
What is your vision and mission towards the road ahead?
Marching ahead, my vision is to be a happy and good human being and to meet this objective, I am leaving no stone unturned to enjoy the present and work hard, I believe that rest will eventually follow to fulfil your dream. There is very famous quote by Seneca, as per which, “There is no favorable wind for the sailor who doesn’t know where to go”, I find this very relatable and motivating. Hence, I follow a rule to be in present and focus only on giving my best in every aspect of life.
Naveen Chandra Kushwaha, Head Legal, Under Armour India
Naveen has overall 16 years of professional corporate experience (including 10 years in multinational companies) in the area of legal and compliance function. Currently, providing dedicated and broad range of legal support on a variety of commercial functions and day-to-day operational matters and all aspects of current business law and legislative changes, to the fast growing and expanding Under Armour business in South APAC region including India.
Hobbies:playing chess and travelling
Favorite Cuisine: South Indian
Favorite Book:‘Life’s Amazing Secret’by Gaur Gopal Das
Favorite Destination:Mountains
Tell us about the various milestones that you have achieved in your professional journey and have bestowed you with utmost satisfaction both individually and professionally?
In my professional journey so far, my most satisfying experience has been with the two top most sporting company 'Adidas and Under Armour'. It was during my work tenure at Adidas that I worked on ‘investigation of Reebok financial irregularities’, implementation of online compliance, learning the greater APAC region business structure and practices, and these projects significantly contributed to my skills. With Under Armour, I worked towards Business expansion of India and South APAC region, negotiation and drafting contracts by understanding the South APAC region foreign laws with regard to retail structure, e-Comm, supply chain, privacy and data protection laws. Learning and Execution have been a continuous process and we are marching ahead with it.
So far, in my tenure at Under Armour, the company has successfully established its operations in India and also expanded itself in South APAC region. For this I have been recognized with Under Armour Asia Pacific Recognition Award 'APAC Spot Bonus Program' to recognize display of Under Armour value with outstanding contribution in key initiatives and projects. During my tenure in Country Garden in year 2018 among 500 participants awarded 'Top 10 World Class Enterprises World Class Lecturer across globe’.
“Having worked across a range of companies over the years, Naveen strongly believes that - ‘there is no shortcut to success, and it is essential to adapt yourself with dynamic changing world by way of feeding yourself with more knowledge and experiences”
What is your vision and mission towards the road ahead?
Marching ahead, my vision is to be a happy and good human being and to meet this objective, I am leaving no stone unturned to enjoy the present and work hard, I believe that rest will eventually follow to fulfil your dream. There is very famous quote by Seneca, as per which, “There is no favorable wind for the sailor who doesn’t know where to go”, I find this very relatable and motivating. Hence, I follow a rule to be in present and focus only on giving my best in every aspect of life.
Naveen Chandra Kushwaha, Head Legal, Under Armour India
Naveen has overall 16 years of professional corporate experience (including 10 years in multinational companies) in the area of legal and compliance function. Currently, providing dedicated and broad range of legal support on a variety of commercial functions and day-to-day operational matters and all aspects of current business law and legislative changes, to the fast growing and expanding Under Armour business in South APAC region including India.
Hobbies:playing chess and travelling
Favorite Cuisine: South Indian
Favorite Book:‘Life’s Amazing Secret’by Gaur Gopal Das
Favorite Destination:Mountains