BALASUNDARAM ATHREYA
CXO / Leader / Advisor / Mentor
Bangalore
Summary
Accomplished Senior Corporate Management Professional with nearly four decades of experience in three countries. Skilled in COO, CFO, and Board EA roles within diverse business groups. Demonstrated expertise in Operations, Commercial, Projects, Trading, Systems, and People Skills. Proven track record in strategic planning, business development, and process improvement. Holds a Bachelor of Science and top professional qualifications in FCA and CWA.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
President- Campus Operations, Manipal BFSI Academy
Unext Learning Pvt Ltd (A Manipal Education Co.)
04.2024 - 06.2025
- Stabilisation of academic operations post training program revisions. Inspired innovation by creating an environment that encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
- Supported revenue growth by expanding product offerings and effective solutioning for new market opportunities.
- Delivered operational excellence by optimizing resources, processes, and overall cost structure.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and student experience bottlenecks.
- Ensured smooth leadership transition to new team post my retirement (Jan 2025-June 2025).
President (India Operations) & CDO
Manipal Global Education Services Pvt Ltd
04.2022 - 03.2024
- Managing end to end residential campus operations (academic and services) with strength of 5,000+ students serving marquee clients in Indian BFSI. Aademic staff of 200+. Services Staff (including vendors) of 500+
- Adopted new technology platforms and rationalisation to improve productivity levels and stakeholder experience across academy operations
- Managed post covid resumption effectively with core product recast and stabilisation of full scale campus operations.
- Established a culture of innovation in academic offerings by improving client conversations and setting clear expectations in terms of learning / skill outcomes.
- Encouraged a 're-imagination' journey in terms of curricula, pedagogy, content and assessments identifying individuals and teams responsible for results.
- Established the first 'student sourcing' framework to harness suitable graduate talent for industry programs.
- Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
Sr. Vice President (Delivery & Infrastructure)
Manipal Global Education Services Pvt Ltd
04.2009 - 03.2022
- Established a comprehensive Risk Based Internal Audit framework for B2C retail programs as well as various academic campuses that were part of the Manipal Eduction Framework. Multi disciplinary universities in Nepal, Malaysia and Dubai and an industry academy in India.
- Core Team Member for establishment of Manipal International University at Nilai, Malaysia. From initial statutory approvals to actual set up of first working campus, co-ordinating approval of the first UG & PG programs to procurement of 160+ acres of land and commissioning build plans for larger campus establishment.
- Core Team Member of Manipal Academy of BFSI - A first of its kind industry academy established in Bangalore in 2008. Grew operational services capability from 700 students to 5000 students across multiple campuses measuring in excess of1 million sq ft. serving training needs of top banks in India.
- Part of leadership team that stabilised operations of Manipal College of Medical Sciences at Pokhara, Nepal leading to eventual divestment to local interests.
- Worked with with a Big-5 consultant to establish a complete digital transformation framework for Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by implementing best practices and fostering a culture of accountability within the organization.
- Collaborated with executive leadership team members on long-term strategic planning that ensured sustainable success for the BFSI academy and company.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners, fostering trust and collaboration across the organization.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Championed innovation by encouraging cross-functional teams to pursue creative solutions to complex challenges. Developed, coached and provided feedback to top-performing teams using strong leadership and analytical thinking skills.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, leading by example to drive operational excellence across the organization.
Director (Operations and Business Development)
Worldtrade FZE
12.2004 - 03.2009
- Company Overview: A start up company established in 2003 by the Sameer Group, Kenya to service sourcing of major group requirements, develop new value-added businesses and act as an international business relations hub for the Group.
- COO / CFO profile with overall management responsibility for UAE operations.
- Planned and implemented initial project for manufacturing and retail projects in Iran and Kenya.
- Initiated business turnover value in excess of USD 20 million in the very first year of trading operations.
- Planned and implemented a successful lifestyle coffee lounge chain in Nairobi, Kenya. Franchise options being developed.
- Successful supply line of compound fertilisers for one of the largest quasi-governmental tenders in Kenya.
- Identification and development of new trading lines and business joint ventures with reputable strategic partners.
- Overall mentoring and management of specific SBUs being set up to service above objectives.
- Development of long term cost effective supply sources for group companies and GOK tenders in Kenya.
Sr. Business Analyst & Executive Advisor to Group Chairman
The Sameer Group
07.1995 - 11.2004
- Company Overview: Interests in ICT, manufacturing, agricultural, trading and banking with a multi million dollar turnover. Flagships include well-known market leaders in respective products.
- Played a major role in strategic acquisition of an ISP and establishment of a PDNO in the ICT sector (2001-2004).
- Established a firm trading base & know-how in NPK fertilizers for the tea industry in Kenya.
- New project/investment evaluation & decision support. Specific confidential assignments.
- Detailed evaluations of Unit strategic plans, budgets, forecasts & operating results.
- Monitoring progress on specific projects as a team member from the Chairman's Office.
- Information liaison and varied functional/strategic support to unit CEOs/CFOs as required.
- Acting Financial/Operations Controller at group companies as and when required.
Financial Controller (Aviation Group)
The Safari Air Group
04.1993 - 06.1995
- Company Overview: Companies in light aviation maintenance and aircraft charter operations about 120 employees.
- Ensured an efficient and profitable divestment from the business in first half of 1995.
- Instrumental as an operations expert in formation of the Kenyan ‘local’ aviation insurance pool.
- Typical financial, commercial & planning functions. Control of revenue & financial accounting.
- Management accounting & MIS; systems development.
- Payroll control general administration; strategic planning and market research support.
- Statutory compliances; insurance management.
Finance & Administration Manager
Al Buraimi Garments LLC
10.1991 - 12.1992
- Company Overview: 100% export ready-made garment manufacturing employing over 1000 workers.
- Achieved over 50% dead stock liquidation and accumulated debt realizations. Regularised payroll dues.
- Loss financing and funds management; Bank/Creditor liaison and repayment planning.
- Control of financial, management & cost accounting; MIS and systems development.
- Payroll and employee benefits; General administration and commercial functions.
- Shipping (Imports/Exports); Merchandising & vendor development/sourcing support.
- Marketing planning & Customer liaison.
Assistant Manager - Finance & Accounts
SKF Bearings (India) Limited
09.1989 - 09.1991
- Company Overview: Multinational manufacturing company employing over 1000 (Sales: $100 million; Assets $80 million).
- Reduced total time for ERP+IRP management reporting to Sweden HQ from 7 days to 3 days.
- Introduced ‘off balance sheet’ financing for low priority assets through lease financing.
- Corporate management accounting and financial accounting supervision.
- Budgeting & Planning assistance. Co-ordination with plant accounts departments (Pune and Bangalore).
- Varied & detailed M.I.S. generation & control for local & group (Swedish) managements.
- Assistance in treasury functions covering operations/ project finance, liaison with banks and institutions, cash management, and foreign exchange liability risk management.
Jr. Executive Assistant-Chairman & CEO’s Office
The Chemplast Sanmar Group
09.1987 - 08.1989
- Company Overview: Well diversified leading industrial group. Multi million dollar group turnover with many diverse foreign collaborations. 19 business groups – chemicals, engineering, finance etc.
- Information management including consolidated planning and operational performance reporting of various business units. Varied data base maintenance for needs of the Group top management.
- Fund flow projections for investment and holding companies.
- Minuting and follow-up action on regular business plan/operations review meetings of the various business groups. Liaison with senior and middle level operational managers.
- Participation as part of the Group Corporate Finance Team in formulation and standardisation of Management accounting cum reporting for routine operations and project activities; General assistance and involvement in specific task groups for various financial/planning studies.
- Coordinating year end audit planning, adjustments and finalisations; Monitoring changes in accounting standards and related statutory issues affecting group businesses.
Articled Clerk; Audit Consultant
B.R. Vasudeva Murthy & Co.
08.1983 - 08.1987
- Company Overview: Medium sized consulting firm of Public (Chartered) Accountants.
- Planning/execution of financial audits.
- Specific investigations/projects for diverse business entities.
- Assistance in rendering support and consultancy services to diverse clientele in the areas of business accounting, corporate law and taxation, data “bureau” services and small scale project appraisals.
- Medium sized consulting firm of Public (Chartered) Accountants.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Physics, Mathematics & Chemistry
Bangalore University
04.2001 -
Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) - Advanced Accounting, Audit, Commercial Law & Taxat
ICAI
11-1986
Graduate Cost and Works Accountant -
ICWAI
01-1989
Skills
Leadership, Strategy and Vision (the big picture)
People & Team Building Skills, Motivating across levels
Project Management, Operational Excellence
Multi-tasking, Cross-functional Collaboration
Problem Solving and Administrative acumen
Strategic & Tactical Thinking High ownership and action bias
Diversity of Experience and Quick Learning
High Energy, Confidence, Drive, Decisiveness
Creativity and Innovation
Core Functional / Domain Experience
- Leadership, People/Team Development
- Strategic Planning support
- SBU / Delivery Operations Management
- Process & Systems development
- Special Projects (concept, evaluation, commissioning, planning & execution)
- Financial & Commercial Management
- Management Accounting & MIS development
- Financial Analysis & Modelling
- Specific business studies / BPR
Interests
sports (badminton/table tennis)
Classical music (carnatic / fusion)
autism therapy research
Parent of an adult on the Autism Spectrum.
I have a keen interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder management. From early life challenges till later life phases (the 'what after us' question). Volunteer for parental support groups for counselling on therapeutic and practical approaches.
Timeline
President- Campus Operations, Manipal BFSI Academy
Unext Learning Pvt Ltd (A Manipal Education Co.)
04.2024 - 06.2025
President (India Operations) & CDO
Manipal Global Education Services Pvt Ltd
04.2022 - 03.2024
Sr. Vice President (Delivery & Infrastructure)
Manipal Global Education Services Pvt Ltd
04.2009 - 03.2022
Director (Operations and Business Development)
Worldtrade FZE
12.2004 - 03.2009
Bachelor of Science - Physics, Mathematics & Chemistry
Bangalore University
04.2001 -
Sr. Business Analyst & Executive Advisor to Group Chairman
The Sameer Group
07.1995 - 11.2004
Financial Controller (Aviation Group)
The Safari Air Group
04.1993 - 06.1995
Finance & Administration Manager
Al Buraimi Garments LLC
10.1991 - 12.1992
Assistant Manager - Finance & Accounts
SKF Bearings (India) Limited
09.1989 - 09.1991
Jr. Executive Assistant-Chairman & CEO’s Office
The Chemplast Sanmar Group
09.1987 - 08.1989
Articled Clerk; Audit Consultant
B.R. Vasudeva Murthy & Co.
08.1983 - 08.1987
Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) - Advanced Accounting, Audit, Commercial Law & Taxat
ICAI
Graduate Cost and Works Accountant -
ICWAI