Ashwani Baweja leads with composed intensity. Leadership, as the saying goes, is never easy. But to truly grasp how demanding it can be—especially when guiding a complex organization through challenging times—you need to hear a story like Ashwani’s. His journey is not just about drawing up strategic plans; it’s about maintaining sharp focus through every twist and turn. It’s not simply about being resilient, but at the core of it all is the one thing that truly drives him—uncompromising hard work. These are the qualities that define Ashwani and make his leadership truly stand out.
In the finance sector, where the numbers meet the vision, professionals like Ashwani have gone through diverse transformations. Gone are the days when they used to be confined to the cold walls of spreadsheets; these are the days of leaders like him who are truly the strategic compass, the silent navigators charting the course of corporate destiny. We are not speaking of hollow proclamations, but we are instead talking about the quiet power of precision, the efficacy of action, and valor to speak the truth amidst chaos.
Ashwani is that catalyst who cuts through complexity, bringing illumination into places where others see only shadows. As the Global Head of Corporate Finance at ETG, he is not just into the actual work of managing numbers; he is influencing destiny. He speaks with crystal clarity to the shareholders-promoters, MNCs, governments, and ordinary investors.
He says that true value is not in just making a quick buck but rather in nurturing a spirit of entrepreneurship that breaks barriers, dazzles people, and creates a sustainable future. He is not just a leader; he is a partner, a strategist, and a steward for sustainable value. And in a world desiring genuine leadership, Ashwani’s voice begins to bear the promise of speedily delivering a tangible, long-lasting impact.
Building a Foundation: A Journey of Strategic Impact
Ashwani’s professional tenure has been diverse, enriching, and transformative, shaping him into the proficient finance leader he is today. His early career involved impactful roles at leading organizations such as Samsung IT Co., Max Healthcare, and Pantaloon Retail, where he gained extensive experience in finance operations, business setup, commercial strategies, and organizational growth.
Following these foundational experiences, Ashwani spent nearly 11 rewarding years at Olam International, serving in various countries and regional roles across West Africa. During this period, he managed extensive on-ground finance operations, dealing directly with agricultural commodities such as cocoa, cashew, sugar, rice, tomato paste, and wheat flour. He also played a key role in establishing manufacturing and processing facilities while navigating complex local and international business environments. He shares, “This experience significantly deepened my cultural understanding and honed my strategic and operational finance skills.”
“In my later corporate role at Olam, I further refined my abilities through direct engagement with board committees, shareholders, and global finance teams, preparing me thoroughly for larger global responsibilities,” adds Ashwani.
Ashwani joined ETG as a CFO for one of their key businesses, and shortly thereafter, he was entrusted with establishing and scaling up the Global Corporate Finance function; a challenge he embraced with enthusiasm. His strategic foresight and commitment have played a vital role in fostering financial innovation and achieving operational excellence. Currently, Ashwani remains a key contributor to ETG’s growth through his influential leadership and transformative decision-making
Empowering Financial Leadership at ETG
ETG is an expansive global conglomerate operating in over 50 countries across six distinct business verticals, comprising nearly 300 legal entities. The uniqueness of ETG lies in its blend of multinational corporate governance practices with the entrepreneurial energy of a promoter-driven mindset.
Understanding the company’s heritage, Ashwani genuinely feel like he has a white canvas to draw upon freely – but it’s important to remember, it’s a canvas where every stroke carries significant risk. However, the organizational culture at ETG inspires him deeply, fostering autonomy and innovation.
He shares, “There’s substantial freedom and empowerment. Each functional head is given autonomy to define their roadmap and vision without daily interference or micromanagement.” But this freedom doesn’t mean no one’s paying attention. To ensure alignment with the vision and maintain consistent progress, monthly reviews and meetings are held with CEOs and key stakeholders. This allows the team to stay on track, evaluate its direction, and make strategic adjustments as needed.
This autonomy, while exciting, carries a responsibility – it can profoundly impact both the business and one’s personal career trajectory. With every decision carrying weight, Ashwani navigates carefully, knowing the outcomes can shape both business and personal trajectories. However, it demands constant self-motivation, strategic decision-making, and an eagerness to drive transformative change.
Reflecting on his dedicated endeavors, he shares, “I thrive in this dynamic, empowering environment. It keeps my passion alive, and I look forward to every day without the slightest hint of Monday blues. My vision is clear, simple, and easily understood – to build a scalable and sustainable finance team. At its core, corporate finance revolves around people. My focus is always on nurturing and developing my team because I firmly believe that everything we achieve depends on our people.”
Bridging Strategy and Operations: Collaborative Financial Leadership
ETG’s vision, purpose, and core values significantly influence how Ashwani leads and implements his decisions. Often, finance professionals ask how they directly contribute to the company’s vision since they aren’t always in the front lines.
Ashwani’s answer is straightforward: “We are essential partners to our operational teams – neither can succeed without the other. Operations teams rely on us for strategic financial support, and without them, we would have no purpose. Understanding this interdependence eliminates confusion and clarifies our role as finance leaders.” It curates a collaborative approach, ensuring that the decisions always align with ETG’s broader goals and shareholder expectations.
Navigating Change: Innovating for a Sustainable Future
Ashwani strongly believes, “ETG is inherently a creative organization and advocates challenging status quo. While traditional and proven solutions have their value but in reality, the world is continuously advancing with a constant shift in regulatory environment, technology, market dynamics, and stakeholder expectations resulting in numerous challenges.”
His team does not rely solely on past solutions, they say “we’ll risk becoming redundant,” he expresses. It’s crucial to continuously advance, innovate, and step outside the comfort zones. His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that one should never become complacent or consider any position irreplaceable. This proactive mindset enables him to stay agile, relevant, and consistently aligned with
ETG’s ambitious global objectives. His approach is grounded in the understanding that every action affects the whole; driving a leadership style built on clarity and cohesion. In the broader context, sustainability resonates deeply with Ashwani’s personal and professional values including his 3D formula. It centers around three key pillars: Effective Delegation, Developing a strong second line of leadership for every critical position, and continuously Developing a robust talent pipeline to secure the future of the organization.
Through this approach, he aims to positively impact on the lives of its partners, adapt responsibly, and create a sustainable future for all stakeholders at ETG. Ashwani believes that building strong, motivated teams is crucial because their growth is connected with both his and the organization’s success. When people see themselves developing and succeeding within the organization, it fosters loyalty and sustainable performance.
Under Ashwani’s guidance, ETG has already embarked on its digital transformation journey within finance. However, “While this journey hasn’t progressed very rapidly, we are moving forward steadily, and I’m confident we’ll see meaningful and satisfying results over the next year,” he reveals.
ETG’s finance and IT teams collaborate closely, perpetually working on system upgrades, migrations, and the integration of advanced technologies, including AI, to streamline and enhance its financial operations.
Advice for Aspiring Finance Leaders
While offering advice to young finance professionals aspiring to lead in global organizations like ETG, Ashwani shared his insights in a straightforward and practical manner. He emphasized the importance of investing in their career and treating it as their most valuable asset. Patience and unwavering commitment, he stresses, are fundamental, as true success unfolds gradually.
“Instead of constantly chasing new opportunities, I encourage professionals to seek stability and invest in their growth. Avoid walking away from challenges or disagreements prematurely; engage in meaningful conversations to resolve issues. Maintaining focus and clarity on the bigger picture ensures sustained direction and purpose.” he says.
Delivering consistent results, while simultaneously working on personal growth and team development, is key to long-term leadership. Above all, he believes in embracing positivity and spreading it throughout the organization, steering clear of negativity that can hinder progress.
Key Lessons for Finance Leaders from Ashwani Baweja:
| Principle | Key Insight |
| Strategic Clarity | Precision and clarity simplify complexity. |
| Embrace Innovation | Continuously innovate to avoid redundancy. |
| Collaborative Mindset | Finance teams and operations must align closely. |
| Empowerment & Accountability | Autonomy fosters growth when coupled with accountability. |
| Sustainable Team Building | Prioritize developing talent for lasting success. |
| Continuous Learning | Stay agile and informed amid evolving market dynamics. |
| Stakeholder Centricity | Stakeholders should always remain central to strategy. |
Core Principles of Effective Financial Leadership
While it’s easy to craft vision or mission statements with well-chosen words, Ashwani’s experience has taught him that the core purpose remains constant—delivering genuine value to shareholders and stakeholders. They are the central fulcrum around which every strategy, decision, and initiative must be implemented. This holds true across all organizations, including non-profits, where stakeholders may represent a cause or community.
Clearly identifying the stakeholders and their requirements, understanding the organization’s culture, and understanding the digital landscape are crucial. These elements help to create a roadmap that truly serves their interests. In Ashwani’s perspective, what’s equally important is the power of collaboration—surrounding yourself with experienced professionals whose insights can enrich your perspective and elevate daily decision-making.
His journey at ETG continues to be deeply rewarding, shaped by continuous growth, daily learning, and the opportunity to lead with purpose. “As I move forward, my focus remains on driving financial strategy that fosters innovation, creates a lasting impact, and keeps our stakeholders at the heart of everything we do,” Ashwani concludes.
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