SV Kiran

As the CEO of Apollo Health Resources Ltd. (AHRL), a strategic initiative of the Apollo Hospitals Promoter Group, I spearhead the Global Workforce Development (GWD) program, designed to address the critical global shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. Leveraging India’s abundant talent pool and cultivating strategic partnerships, particularly with the UK, Middle East, and other key international markets, I have established a scalable and sustainable model for sourcing, training, certifying, and deploying top-tier healthcare talent worldwide. Aligned with the Prime Minister’s ‘Heal by India’ initiative, I am driving India’s transformation into a global hub for healthcare excellence, positioning the country as a key provider of highly skilled healthcare professionals. Through this visionary approach, we are not only bridging the talent gap in healthcare systems worldwide but also contributing to India’s leadership in global healthcare delivery.

Key Deliverables:

• Startup Strategy & Vision – Defined and executed the strategic vision for the Global Workforce Development (GWD) program, driving the company’s growth and establishing a sustainable business model in the global healthcare staffing market.
• Business Development & Market Expansion – Led the expansion into international markets, building key partnerships with global healthcare organizations (e.g., NHS, UK), and establishing a strong presence in the Middle East through strategic talent sourcing and deployment.
• Operational Leadership & Execution – Oversaw the end-to-end operations of the GWD program, from talent sourcing and recruitment to training, certification, and deployment, ensuring alignment with global healthcare system needs.
• Innovation in Workforce Solutions – Developed and launched customized talent development programs (e.g., Nursing EDGE, clinical skills training, cultural acclimatization), positioning the company as a leading innovator in the healthcare staffing sector.
• Financial Strategy & Revenue Growth – Drove financial planning and budgeting, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth while focusing on expanding revenue streams through global talent mobility and workforce solutions.
• Team Leadership & Culture Building – Built and led a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and agility within the startup environment, aligned with the company’s mission and values.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy – Represented the startup in discussions with governmental bodies, regulatory agencies, and global institutions to shape policies that support the global healthcare workforce, positioning the company as an industry leader.

As the CHRO of Apollo Hospitals, I led the HR transformation for India’s largest healthcare network, overseeing 12,000+ employees across multiple hospitals, businesses, and global operations. I played a pivotal role in aligning HR strategy with Apollo’s business growth, optimizing workforce costs, strengthening leadership pipelines, and leveraging AI-driven HR innovation to enhance efficiency and performance. My leadership transformed HR into a strategic business partner, driving people-centric policies, cost optimization, and talent innovation while ensuring Apollo’s continued market leadership.

Key Achievements & Deliverables

Workforce Transformation & Talent Strategy

• Implemented a Dynamic Staffing Model, improving workforce allocation and productivity across hospital operations.
• Institutionalized manpower cost optimization techniques, reducing workforce costs from 25.6% to 18% of revenue (FY20–FY24).
• Built a strong leadership pipeline, with 95% of key positions filled through structured succession planning.
• Created Centers of Excellence (Oncology, Pro Health, Revenue), hiring 200+ specialized professionals to drive innovation and growth.
• Spearheaded large-scale talent acquisition, hiring 3,480+ doctors, nurses, and paramedics over three years.
• Transformed clinical hiring, securing top specialists in key areas, contributing ₹224.86 Cr additional revenue at Apollo Specialty Hospital, Nellore.

Digital & AI-Driven HR Transformation

• Led the 100% digitization of HR, making Apollo a paperless HR function to drive compliance and operational efficiency.
• Deployed AI-driven HR tools (Oracle Fusion HCM, UKG), achieving 100% automation across recruitment, PMS, payroll, and learning.
• Streamlined payroll across 45 locations, cutting processing time and saving ₹2.3 Cr annually.
• Achieved 90% adoption of AI-powered HR tools within 90 days, reducing manual HR interventions and improving service delivery by 40%.
• Launched 24/7 HR Chatbots & mobile-first HR solutions, enhancing real-time employee support and engagement.

Performance, Compensation & Productivity Optimization

• Introduced AOP achievement-based Bell Curve & Merit Increments, ensuring performance-linked pay.
• Structured Performance Linked Variable Pay (PLVP), creating a transparent, incentive-driven culture.
• Standardized the Performance Management System (PMS), implementing a 5-point rating scale and digital goal-setting.
• Revamped Apollo’s compensation framework, consolidating 200+ salary components into ~30, simplifying payroll and improving financial planning.
• Shifted to a cost-effective CTC model, improving tax efficiency and payroll structuring for employees.

Diversity, Engagement & Employee Well-Being

• Increased diversity hiring by 20%, building an inclusive workforce.
• Expanded employee insurance coverage, increasing beneficiaries from 9,984 (FY20) to 50,955 (FY23) and enabling cashless healthcare access.
• Launched Apollo Family Day, Apollo Olympiad, and employee wellness programs (yoga, financial coaching, mental health support).
• Achieved 91% Employee Satisfaction Scores (ESS) & 88% Customer Satisfaction Scores (CSS), strengthening employee engagement.

HR Crisis & Compliance Leadership (COVID-19 & Beyond)

• Deployed 211 nurses & 21 doctors to Dubai Health Authority (DHA) during the pandemic, ensuring workforce continuity.
• Established COVID Care Centers for employees, offering on-site medical support, quarantine facilities, 24/7 telemedicine, and priority hospitalization. Ensured workforce safety through vaccination drives, mental health counseling, and financial aid. Provided essential services, including home-delivered groceries, doorstep medicine supply, and accommodation for frontline workers. Implemented flexible shifts, redeployment strategies, and 90-km radius transportation to maintain business continuity while safeguarding employee well-being.
• Negotiated strategic union settlements, transitioning to performance-based increments while maintaining zero labor disruptions.

🏥 Contribution to Group Entities & Strategic Growth

• Led HR transformation for 6 new hospital units (Chennai, Kochi, Guwahati, Bhopal, Navsari & Bangladesh), ensuring seamless policy implementation and talent acquisition.
• Revamped Apollo Homecare’s business model, hiring a CEO and strengthening leadership to accelerate growth.
• Structured & strengthened Apollo Knowledge (Education & Skill Development), including:
• Recruiting a CEO, Vice-Chancellor for Apollo University, and Deans for Medical Colleges (Chittoor & Hyderabad) and HR Head
• Played a key role in establishing AE UK Vertical & Global Workforce Development (GWD), structuring leadership hiring and business operations.
• Aligned learning programs with workforce needs, partnering with Apollo Medvarsity & Medskills to enhance professional development.
• Transformed HR into a revenue-generating function, offering HR solutions to external healthcare organizations.