We recently had the opportunity to interview Sreekumar Brahmanandan, Investment Director at Dubai Investments Industries and Masharie (The venture capital company). A multi-skilled professional, Sreekumar has over 3 decades of rich experience in Investment Management, Business Development, and P&L management sectors across multiple geographies including the ME region.
Sreekumar has extensive senior leadership experience in investment management, strategy development, P&L management, supply chain, manufacturing, quality development, and turnkey project execution. In this insightful session, Sreekumar shares his career highlights with us and also offers valuable suggestions to beginners in this field.
Genesis Of Sreekumar’s Career
We were intrigued to learn how Sreekumar Brahmanandan started his professional journey and how he established himself in his present position. So, we asked, “Can you share the story of how you started your professional career, including any significant influences or turning points?”
Sreekumar replied, “Following my graduation in Engineering, I had the opportunity of joining SRF Limited, a renowned and forward-looking Indian corporation. The organization not only provided me with valuable industry experience but also encouraged and supported my pursuit of advanced management studies. Throughout my career, I have prioritized cultural alignment and continuous learning over financial gain, seeking new challenges and responsibilities every three to four years to drive personal and professional growth.
I would like to mention three turning points in my career journey. Firstly, the mid-1990s brought significant change to our organization as India’s economy opened up. Our group responded by partnering with McKinsey to drive strategic restructuring, and I was chosen to join the esteemed Young Managers Club and spearhead internationalization efforts. This led to my appointment as Head of Projects in Dubai, tasked with establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with a USD 40 million investment. The successful execution of this complex project, completed within tight timelines, proved to be a big leap in my career.”
He added, “The second turning point in my career came when I took over the leadership role of Total Quality Management (TQM), Global Supply Chain, and IT operations in Dubai, and spearheaded the Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) implementation. This role not only expanded my expertise but also kindled my aspiration to become a CEO. Following a rigorous evaluation process by HAY, I was identified as a potential CEO candidate and subsequently assumed the role of CEO at SRF Overseas Limited in 2004. After taking up this role, I played a key role in the group’s acquisition strategies in South Africa and Thailand.
And the third significant turning point occurred 15 years ago when I made the strategic decision to join my current employer, marking a deliberate shift in my career trajectory.”
Key Responsibilities In The Business
We were also curious to learn more about the duties performed by Sreekumar Brahmanandan in his current position. So, we asked, “What are the most important duties you perform in your current job, and how do they contribute to your overall goals?”
“My current role is ‘Investment Director’ and ‘Head of portfolio management’ of the Venture capital sub-holding and Industrial sub-holding of Dubai Investments PJSC. During the last 15 years, we have brought in new greenfield investments and divested some businesses after creating substantial value for the shareholders. My key responsibilities include developing new green field investments and driving the growth of the existing portfolio companies.
I take immense pride in our successful investments in greenfield healthcare and university projects, showcasing our commitment to innovation and excellence while contributing to critical infrastructure development. Our healthcare investments have led to high-quality medical facilities, benefiting communities, while our university investments cultivate future leaders and drive economic growth. Our successful divestment where I played a key role includes diary farm, Agro oil manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.” He replied.
Leadership Approaches
To learn more about the leading approaches that Sreekumar follows, we inquired, “What is the leadership style you follow and advise the senior leaders in the region for building a successful team?”
He responded, “I was trained well in team-based and collaborative leadership by the previous organization for molding me to the business head (CEO) role. During the early days of my CEO role in 2000, I was attracted to the ‘Leading from the back leadership style.’ Slowly leading from the back is a leadership style that emphasizes guiding and supporting a team from behind rather than from a prominent front-facing position.
Here, when we adopt this style, we need to focus on creating an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. My two cents of leadership advice to fellow C suite leaders is to adopt this style and by fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the team, we can drive sustainable success and cultivate a strong, cohesive unit that is capable of achieving collective goals independently.”
Envisioning The Future
To gather Sreekumar’s perspective on future developments in his industry, we asked, “What future developments or innovations are you looking forward to in your industry, and how do you plan to leverage them?”
He replied, “I’m looking forward to contributing to the Industrial Strategy 2023 of UAE by bringing investments across Pharma, downstream metal, Technology, and ESG areas.”
Source Of Constant Motivation
We asked, “How do you tackle difficult challenges in your career, and what keeps you motivated during tough times?”
Sreekumar shared, “I always focus on the subject objectively without attaching personal emotions and identifying the root cause. I am a self-believer and always remind myself in an adverse situation that what happened is temporary and I need to stay focused and positive.”
Message To Beginners
Addressing the beginners in this field, we asked, “What advice would you offer to newcomers in your industry, particularly those who aspire to follow in your footsteps?”
Sreekumar said, “Learning is a continuous process and always remember attitude and competence are the keys whilst the certificate we proudly collect from education is only an entry ticket. Smart working, use of technology, and adaptability are the keys to success. A few points to remind youngsters are
- Learn Continuously: Foster a mindset of continuous learning. Encourage them to seek knowledge, develop new skills, and stay curious.
- Stay Positive and Resilient: Teach them to maintain a positive attitude and be resilient in the face of setbacks. Mistakes and failures are part of the journey.
- Build a Support Network: Stress the importance of surrounding themselves with supportive and like-minded individuals. Mentors, friends, and family can provide invaluable support and guidance.
- Stay Disciplined: Self-discipline is key to staying on track. Help them understand the importance of managing their time effectively and prioritizing their tasks.”
Embracing Tech-Driven Changes
We further asked, “How do you see AI and new technologies influencing the future of your field, and what role will they play in your organization’s strategy?”
“AI is slowly creeping into our offices and influencing even the daily management. I consider myself a novice but stay committed to learning and using it effectively. By automating routine tasks, AI will free up human resources to focus on more complex, creative, and strategic activities.
AI can enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, improve efficiency by optimizing workflows, and personalize customer experiences at scale. Additionally, AI-powered tools can facilitate continuous learning and development, helping employees adapt to rapidly changing environments.”
Plans We Asked Sreekumar Brahmanandan
We ended the session by asking, “What are your aspirations for the future in both your career and your business, and how do you plan to achieve them?”
Sreekumar concluded, “I consider myself ready to guide and support aspiring entrepreneurs and mold the startup ecosystem. Furthermore, I plan to use my experience and competence to serve on boards of different companies.”
Follow Sreekumar Brahmanandan on LinkedIn.
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