CEO Insights India

In the financial sector where change and strategy-based decision-making determines organizational future, few leaders are capable of transforming the financial function into an effective growth driver.

Pooja Saini is one such leader. Her role surpasses the bounds of conventional finance function and she has powering consistent business success through her extensive experience and expertise.

With over 12 years of experience across India, the UK, Canada and the US, Pooja is known for elevating the finance function into a strategic business partner. Her career began in core finance, as she was one of the core finance employees hired by 1218 Global and IFFCO Tokyo’s India operations. These early experiences helped her build a solid foundation in compliance, financial reporting and audit preparedness.

Today, as the Group Financial Controller at Tide, Pooja manages the month-end close process of both Indian and international entities to ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial matters. She also leads regulatory preparedness, such as RBI PPI, FEMA, and GST preparedness, and leads automation to make processes lean and cost-effective.

Under her leadership, Tide has grown inter nationally and currently has a membership of more than 1.6 million across various markets such as India, UK and France, among others. Her leadership philosophy focuses on empowering teams, turning ambiguity into structure and transforming finance into a business strategy driver.

We bring you an insightful discussion with Pooja, as she reflects on her career journey and the leadership principles that shaped her success.

How do you effectively communicate and align with geographically and culturally diverse teams while managing both local and international entities?

I approach this through what I call the three Cs: clarity, consistency, and context. I establish clear reporting frameworks, standardized

processes, and common definitions, while remaining mindful of local regulatory and cultural nuances. Regular touchpoints, transparent documentation, and shared dashboards help maintain alignment across geographies.

Equally important is building trust through open communication. I ensure teams understand not just what is expected, but why it matters, whether it is timely period closure or standardized reporting.

How do you tailor your financial strategies to address the unique needs of different sectors while ensuring financial stability during economic or market disruptions?

I tailor financial strategies by first developing a deep understanding of each industry’s business model, revenue drivers, cost structure, regulatory landscape, and growth levers. Based on these insights, I design financial controls and strategic frameworks aligned with sector-specific realities.

Which core principles, values, and philosophies have consistently driven your success?

My leadership philosophy is rooted in ownership, transparency, integrity, and empowerment. Having benefited from strong mentors throughout my career, I understand the lasting impact a leader can have on both professional and personal growth.

I set clear expectations, provide context, and trust my teams to take ownership of execution, encouraging them to think beyond tasks and understand the broader impact of their work.

I believe in leading by example, main -taining integrity even in challenging situations, and standing firmly by my team. Continuous feedback, learning, and psychological safety are non-negotiable for me.

I strive to create an environment where individuals feel valued, responsible, and confident to share ideas openly, fostering both accountability and innovation.

How do you stay up to date with ongoing industry trends?

I stay updated with industry trends through a combination of

structured learning and active market engagement. I regularly participate in CFO and CXO forums, leadership networks, and professional platforms such as ICAI updates with close attention to regu -latory developments including RBI and FEMA guidelines, particularly in the fintech space.

I also engage consistently with peers, auditors, regulators, and business leaders to gain diverse perspectives. Beyond external sources, I remain closely connected to the business to track product changes, customer behavior, and operational trends in real time. This balanced approach enables me to anticipate shifts proactively rather than relying solely on published reports.

What future roadmap have you envisioned for yourself?

My long-term vision is to lead finance at a strategic level within a global, innovation-driven organization. I aspire to operate at a CFO or equivalent leadership level, where finance plays a central role in shaping strategy, governance, and sustainable growth.

Beyond titles, my focus is on building resilient teams, scalable systems, and a robust finance function that enables the business to grow with confidence, integrity, and long-term value creation.

Pooja Saini, Group Financial Controller, Tide

Pooja is a strategic finance leader who transforms complex regulatory environments into scalable, growth driven finance platforms combining governance, inno -vation, and execution excellence.

•Hobbies: Reading and travelling.
•Favorite Book: The Magic of Thinking Big Book by David J. Schwartz
•Favorite Cuisine: I enjoy tradi-tional North Indian cuisine, especially rajma chawal and chole bhature.
•Favorite Travel Destination: As a nature lover, I enjoy the serene and untouched beauty of the mountains, especially Landour in Uttarakhand, along with the rich cultural charm of Udaipur in Rajasthan.

•Awards and Recognition:

•Nominated by Deloitte to participate in the SheXO Next Mile Program, an exclusive leadership forum for women CFOs and senior leaders.
•Recognized as the youngest participant among distinguished women finance leaders in the program.