FARHATH SHERIFF
Dubai,Karnataka
Summary
Accomplished Senior Banking Leader, Entrepreneur and International Business Consultant with over two decades of experience spanning Retail & Priority Banking, UHNW Relationship Management, Business Leadership, Entrepreneurship and F&B Consulting . Progressed from relationship management to senior leadership roles, leading teams, businesses and high-value client portfolios, before building an entrepreneurial journey as a brand owner and business revival specialist . Recognised for relationship excellence, business growth, turnaround strategy, people leadership and customer experience , with a proven ability to build businesses, revive performance and create lasting stakeholder relationships.
Overview
5
5
years of post-secondary education
29
29
years of professional experience
Work history
International Business Consultant
BLUE GINGER PREMIUM CATERING DUBAI & RAK
Dubai, UAE
2026.01 - 2026.08
- Advised a large-scale catering operation on business growth, commercial strategy and market expansion.
- Developed opportunities across corporate catering, institutional contracts and large-volume accounts .
- Strengthened client acquisition, key account relationships and strategic partnerships .
- Supported management in improving commercial performance, service positioning and operational efficiency .
- Identified new revenue opportunities and helped convert business relationships into sustainable contracts .
Founder & Managing Director
SHAADI KI BIRYANI - India
Bengaluru, India
2008.01 - 2026.08
- Founded and built Shaadi Ki Biryani into a distinctive speciality F&B brand.
- Developed the brand from concept to a recognised and commercially successful restaurant business .
- Led brand strategy, operations, customer experience, marketing and business growth .
- Built strategic partnerships and expanded the brand through dine-in, delivery, catering and cloud-kitchen models .
- Created and protected the brand's signature recipes, product standards and unique market positioning .
- Led the business through changing market conditions, demonstrating entrepreneurial leadership, resilience and adaptability .
Business Revival Specialist
EMPIRE Restaurants (NKP Ventures L.L.C)
Dubai, UAE
2023.10 - 2025.12
- Led business revival and turnaround strategies for International operations.
- Identified operational gaps and opportunities to improve revenue, profitability and customer experience .
- Advised restaurant owners and leadership teams on growth, positioning and business strategy .
- Developed practical solutions across operations, sales, marketing and cost optimisation .
- Supported brand repositioning, expansion and sustainable business growth .
- Worked closely with stakeholders to transform underperforming businesses into stronger, commercially focused operations .
Vice President Retail & Premium Banking
AXIS BANK
Chennai, India
2006.06 - 2007.12
- Led Retail & Preferred Banking across 120 branches in South India.
- Spearheaded HNI/Priority Banking growth and strategic initiatives.
- Contributed to new product development and market expansion.
- Led the region to top performance for 3 consecutive years.
- Promoted as the youngest Vice President nationwide.
Retail Branch Head
AXIS BANK
Bengaluru, India
2003.11 - 2006.05
- Led branch business, profitability, operations & customer experience.
- Drove retail banking, deposits, cross-sell & HNI relationships.
- Built and led high-performing branch teams.
- Oversaw compliance, audit, risk & operational controls.
- Managed Currency Chest & ATM nodal operations across the network.
- Led ATM Nodal Cell operations, ensuring availability, uptime and seamless reconciliation.
- Coordinated branch, operations and service partners for efficient ATM management.
- Maintained excellence in customer experience, governance and operational efficiency.
Asst Vice President & Branch Head
AXIS BANK
Bengaluru, India
2003.11 - 2006.05
- Led overall branch P&L, business growth and profitability.
- Drove CASA, deposits, investments, retail assets and cross-sell.
- Managed key HNI, affluent and retail relationships.
- Built and led high-performing sales & operations teams.
- Ensured excellence across customer experience, compliance and risk.
- Expanded business through market relationships and strategic client acquisition.
Retail Business Head - Priority Banking
AXIS BANK
Bengaluru, India
2001.11 - 2003.10
- Led Priority Banking across affluent & HNI segments.
- Drove revenue, profitability, acquisition & portfolio growth.
- Managed CASA, investments, wealth products & retail assets.
- Built and mentored high-performing Relationship Management teams.
- Strengthened client retention, cross-sell & key relationships.
- Ensured excellence in customer experience, compliance & performance.
Senior Relationship Manager, UHNW
BANK MUSCAT
Bengaluru, India
2000.12 - 2001.10
- Managed and grew a portfolio of UHNW and HNI clients .
- Acquired new high-value relationships and strengthened existing portfolios.
- Provided tailored banking, wealth and investment solutions .
- Drove deposits, investments, fee income and portfolio growth .
- Built long-term relationships through personalised and discreet client service .
- Ensured adherence to KYC, compliance and risk standards .
Relationship Manager, Priority Banking
HDFC BANK
Bengaluru, India
1998.01 - 2000.11
- Built trusted relationships with affluent & HNI clients.
- Grew portfolios through personalised banking, investment & wealth solutions.
- Drove new relationships through referrals, networking & client acquisition.
- Increased retention, engagement & wallet share.
- Delivered a high-touch, relationship-led banking experience.
Education
Masters in Business Administration - MBA
Crescent Engineering College
Chennai, TN, India 1995.04 - 1997.04
Bachelor of Arts - BA
The New College
Chennai, TN, India 1992.04 - 1995.04
Skills
- Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Business Growth & Transformation
- UHNW & HNI Relationship Management
- Entrepreneurship & Brand Building
- Business Revival & Turnaround Strategy
- Revenue & Profitability Growth
- Client Acquisition & Retention
- People Leadership & Team Building
- Strategic Partnerships & Networking
- Customer Experience Excellence
- Business Development & Market Expansion
- Negotiation & Stakeholder Management
- Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
- Retail & Priority Banking
- F&B Strategy & Consulting
Affiliations
- Travelling
- Reading
- Culinary Exploration
- Leadership Podcasts
- Global Business & Operations Documentaries
Accomplishments
- Relationship Manager of the Year – 2000
- Relationship Excellence Award – 2003
- Branch Head of the Year – 2004, 2005 & 2006
- Best Performing Region – Pan India, 2007
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- 24+ Years of Leadership Excellence
- Customer Relationship Excellence
- Customer-First Leadership
- Service Excellence Champion
- Relationship Manager → Vice President
- Youngest Vice President
- Led 120+ Banking Branches
- 3× Top-Performing Region
- UHNW & HNI Relationship Excellence
- Built a 17+ Year Hospitality Brand
- Built & Led High-Performance Teams
- Business Transformation & Growth
- Relationships into Revenue
- Challenges into Opportunities
- Customer Trust into Loyalty
Summary
- Entrepreneur
- Service Excellence Leader
- Hospitality Visionary
- UHNW Strategist
- Experience Curator
- Business Catalyst
WHY ME. WHY NOW.
- 24+ Years. One Powerful Perspective.
- Corporate Discipline + Entrepreneurial Agility
- Customer Obsession at the Core
- Proven People & Business Leadership
- Calm Under Pressure. Fast in Action
- Built Businesses. Revived Businesses. Led Businesses
- Relationships Built on Trust
- Hands-On, Grounded & Execution-Focussed
- Adaptable. Curious. Always Learning
- Experience with the Energy to Deliver
Timeline
International Business Consultant
BLUE GINGER PREMIUM CATERING DUBAI & RAK
2026.01 - 2026.08
Business Revival Specialist
EMPIRE Restaurants (NKP Ventures L.L.C)
2023.10 - 2025.12
Founder & Managing Director
SHAADI KI BIRYANI - India
2008.01 - 2026.08
Vice President Retail & Premium Banking
AXIS BANK
2006.06 - 2007.12
Asst Vice President & Branch Head
AXIS BANK
2003.11 - 2006.05
Retail Branch Head
AXIS BANK
2003.11 - 2006.05
Retail Business Head - Priority Banking
AXIS BANK
2001.11 - 2003.10
Senior Relationship Manager, UHNW
BANK MUSCAT
2000.12 - 2001.10
Relationship Manager, Priority Banking
HDFC BANK
1998.01 - 2000.11
Masters in Business Administration - MBA
Crescent Engineering College
1995.04 - 1997.04
Bachelor of Arts - BA
The New College
1992.04 - 1995.04