Chandan Goswami : Driving Success Beyond Finance With Strategic Leadership And Success Vision
Chandan Goswami
Chief Financial Officer
He boasts a career spanning over two decades with a diverse and holistic journey in finance. Having spent nearly 15 years in Corporate and Investment Banking, he worked with leading institutions such as HDFC Bank, BNP Paribas, and Natixis. During this time, Chandan managed complex financial transactions, including Mergers & Acqui- sitions, Project Finance, and Commodity Financing, while gaining exposure to industries like oil and gas, metals, and aviation. During his time in banking, he witnessed the evolution of global finance, navigating pre-euro crisis challenges.
Chandan held key roles on Corporate Finance, including leading the corporate finance function for the $2 billion Sterling and Wilson Group including its IPO period and serving as the Chief Strategy and Business Officer at PRESPL, also guiding its finance function. He made a strategic shift from banking to the corporate side, bringing his expertise in finance to the renewable energy sector. Overall, his leadership, built on broad exposure to various industries and transaction types, continues to shape Jakson Green's success where the company has grown to a revenue of over 4,000 crores and diversified from EPC to IPP and from electron to complex Hydrogen its derivative energy forms.
He is an integral part of this growth, assisting the company with its need for growth capital but also in managing the risks and processes required for a diversified growing business. The company is raising capital not only for its IPP business but also other businesses like Biofuels and H2.
CEO Insights magazine is proud to interact with Chandan in an exclusive interview.
Can you share more about your journey as a finance professional and how it has shaped your understanding of finance today?
I've spent a significant amount of time in both banking and on the corporate side, and that has given me a very holistic view of finance. When you look at finance, you can either be a provider of finance or a consumer of it. I started my career as a provider of finance in banking, and over time, I realized that this only gives you part of the picture.
While working as a lender, I had the chance to interact with multiple industries, including oil & gas, metals, mining, consumer sectors, and even airlines. I was fortunate to be exposed to various types of transactions, especially during the pre-Euro crisis era when the world was more adventurous with exotic financing. Capital was flowing freely both into and out of India, and I had the opportunity to be a part of some exciting cross-border transactions and expansions.
However, as a banker, you only see a fragment of the broader financial landscape. At some point, I recognized that I needed to experience the corporate side to complete my understanding of finance and business. That’s when I made the transition from banking to corporate finance. I even spent about a year and a half in pure investment banking before moving fully into the corporate world. In hindsight, it was a good decision, as it has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate beyond just finance.
My career has exposed me to a variety of industries and clients, allowing me to observe diverse business models, growth stra- tegies, risks and challenges. This exposure has enriched my perspective, equipping me with insights that I now apply in my current role.
With your extensive experience in both national and international markets across various industries, what unique perspectives do you bring to your team at Jakson Green?
Indian firms often exhibit unique operations with agility and a clear understanding of the complexities within the domestic market. This stands in contrast to the more structured approaches typically found in developed economies. One of the strengths of Indian corporates lies in their
Can you share more about your journey as a finance professional and how it has shaped your understanding of finance today?
I've spent a significant amount of time in both banking and on the corporate side, and that has given me a very holistic view of finance. When you look at finance, you can either be a provider of finance or a consumer of it. I started my career as a provider of finance in banking, and over time, I realized that this only gives you part of the picture.
Balancing agility and operational structure is crucial for succeeding in today's rapidly evolving market landscape
While working as a lender, I had the chance to interact with multiple industries, including oil & gas, metals, mining, consumer sectors, and even airlines. I was fortunate to be exposed to various types of transactions, especially during the pre-Euro crisis era when the world was more adventurous with exotic financing. Capital was flowing freely both into and out of India, and I had the opportunity to be a part of some exciting cross-border transactions and expansions.
However, as a banker, you only see a fragment of the broader financial landscape. At some point, I recognized that I needed to experience the corporate side to complete my understanding of finance and business. That’s when I made the transition from banking to corporate finance. I even spent about a year and a half in pure investment banking before moving fully into the corporate world. In hindsight, it was a good decision, as it has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate beyond just finance.
My career has exposed me to a variety of industries and clients, allowing me to observe diverse business models, growth stra- tegies, risks and challenges. This exposure has enriched my perspective, equipping me with insights that I now apply in my current role.
With your extensive experience in both national and international markets across various industries, what unique perspectives do you bring to your team at Jakson Green?
Indian firms often exhibit unique operations with agility and a clear understanding of the complexities within the domestic market. This stands in contrast to the more structured approaches typically found in developed economies. One of the strengths of Indian corporates lies in their
ability to adapt quickly to market changes. However, there are areas where we can enhance our capabilities, particularly in systems and processes. I believe my hands-on experience with international companies has helped me recognize the importance of integrating global best practices into our operations.
As Indian companies increasingly become international players, understanding the expectations of stakeholders from different regions becomes essential. My experience allows me to foster an internal culture that not only appreciates these global standards but also emphasizes a more process oriented approach to business.
The value I bring to my team lies in creating a synergy between agility and structure. By understanding the complexities of the business environment and implementing robust processes, we can achieve a balanced approach that meets the needs of both local and international stakeholders.
What strategies do you employ to maintain the financial health of Jakson Green?
Maintaining financial health at Jakson Green requires balancing growth with risk management. As we navigate the unique opportunities in the sustainable energy sector, I focus on fostering a culture of financial prudence among teams. This involves educating colleagues about holistic business perspectives, ensuring we don't overlook potential risks while pursuing aggressive growth. By creating new capital sources and encouraging collaboration, we can support innovation and make informed decisions to reach our ambitious vision.
What future roadmap do you envision for your career?
In the short term, my focus remains on fulfilling my responsibilities as a finance leader while contributing to a positive and thriving organi- zational culture. As the company continues to reach its goals over the next two to three years, I envision taking on broader business leadership role, integrating financial insights with strategic decision-making. Additionally, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of finance leaders, empowering them to lead the company to even greater success in the future.
Chandan Goswami, Chief Financial Officer, Jakson Green
Chandan’s experience which gives understanding of demand and supply of risk capital, from both the banking and corporate sides, has positioned him not only as a finance leader but also as a strategic success leader at Jakson Green.
As Indian companies increasingly become international players, understanding the expectations of stakeholders from different regions becomes essential. My experience allows me to foster an internal culture that not only appreciates these global standards but also emphasizes a more process oriented approach to business.
The value I bring to my team lies in creating a synergy between agility and structure. By understanding the complexities of the business environment and implementing robust processes, we can achieve a balanced approach that meets the needs of both local and international stakeholders.
What strategies do you employ to maintain the financial health of Jakson Green?
Maintaining financial health at Jakson Green requires balancing growth with risk management. As we navigate the unique opportunities in the sustainable energy sector, I focus on fostering a culture of financial prudence among teams. This involves educating colleagues about holistic business perspectives, ensuring we don't overlook potential risks while pursuing aggressive growth. By creating new capital sources and encouraging collaboration, we can support innovation and make informed decisions to reach our ambitious vision.
What future roadmap do you envision for your career?
In the short term, my focus remains on fulfilling my responsibilities as a finance leader while contributing to a positive and thriving organi- zational culture. As the company continues to reach its goals over the next two to three years, I envision taking on broader business leadership role, integrating financial insights with strategic decision-making. Additionally, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of finance leaders, empowering them to lead the company to even greater success in the future.
Chandan Goswami, Chief Financial Officer, Jakson Green
Chandan’s experience which gives understanding of demand and supply of risk capital, from both the banking and corporate sides, has positioned him not only as a finance leader but also as a strategic success leader at Jakson Green.