Jignesh Veragiwala

Experience

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  Cipla Ltd

  Jun 1995 - Dec 1996

  Management Executive

  Management Executive at Cipla Ltd, a Pharma giant of India specialised in the Anti-Biotic and Asthmatic segment. Learned accounts payable, vendor management systems, import and excise duty reconciliation, and consolidation of general accounts for the Mumbai office. Successfully managed audits for import excise and modvat accounts.

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  Asian Paints India Ltd

  Jan 1998 - May 2001

  Accountant

  Senior Accountant at Asian Paints India, a leading Paint company and a legendary MNC in India. Managed AP for the paints division of raw and packing material, partnering with import functions on accurately reporting inventory positions to improve the re-order level and cost efficiency.

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  Guiness UDV

  Jun 2001 - Dec 2002

  Accounts Executive

  Accounts Executive with Guiness UDV India (Diageo group), a global leader in distilleries business from Jun 2001 - Dec 2002, managing Marketing and promotion budgets, Fixed Assets, and accounts payable roles.

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  JWT India

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2005

  Commercial Director

  Joined as a Manager Commercial, Promoted to Commercial Director for a leading creative agency of WPP Group.• Managed Client deals and audits, not only ensured sustaining advertising revenue targets but also led to growth in fees by 10%.• Successfully managed Mumbai office P&L and Balance sheet with robust reporting for Statutory and Management accounts.

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  The Walt Disney Company

  Jan 2005 - Oct 2013

  Manager Finance - Walt Disney Television International

  Managed Disney Media Finance (Broadcasting) from inception (Channels Launch) Jan 2005 - Oct 2013 for Disney and UTV Channel. Played a vital role in the launch of SAP while partnering with IT and E&Y. • Managed a team of two direct reports, driven media finance to deliver Revenue and OI targets with 95%+ accuracy YOY.• Responsible for Disney and UTV P&L Long Range Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, and Reporting.• Analysed potential opportunities and risks, supported R&O with scenario analysis, evaluated data, presenting plans to the leadership team, which brought efficiency in the process by 10%.• Liaison with the Credit and Collection team to reduce DSO from 120 to 60-75 days, focusing on delinquent clients to enhance cash flow and decrease provisions from 10% to under 5%.• Led a project on crafting Finance process while working with Deloitte leading to a ready reckoner platform for finance and business team and process improvement by 10%. Show less

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  Vivaki India (Publicis Groupe)

  Nov 2013 - Oct 2014

  Finance Director

  Finance Director at Vivaki (Publicis Groupe), reporting to APAC CFO. A Leading Advertising agency, driving media Digital Activation on Demand, the new initiative in digital space. • As the leader of a six-person Commercial and Finance team, responsible for the segment P&L, facilitating incentive and digital revenue renewals through scenario analysis, and providing strategic advice that led to growth of 5~7%. • Successfully managed negotiations and collections to resolve delinquent accounts receivable issues, ensuring financial stability and reducing AR by 70%. Show less

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  BBC Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd

  Dec 2014 - Mar 2015

  Head Production Accounts

  Head of Production Accounts at BBC reporting to SVP & GM India, overseeing a dedicated team of 5, controlling Production Finance, project profitability, and ensuring liquidity to drive operational needs.• Strategizing and executing budgeting initiatives, enhanced efficiency in production profitability by 5%.• Streamlined cashflow gaps by implementing strong process in billing, payments which led to improve cashflow by 15~20% and better compliance.

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  The Walt Disney Company

  Apr 2015 - Dec 2023

  With over 25 years of experience in finance, strategy, retail and, media, I've led impactful initiatives as the Finance Head of the Media Network in Southeast Asia. Guided by mentorship and fostering resilience, I cultivate environments for growth and innovation amidst evolving landscapes. • My leadership has driven financial performance, surpassing revenue targets, and managed the entire lifecycle of deals renewal exceeding USD 250 million. • Responsible for the segment P&L, achieved targets with 95%+ accuracy, driven by robust financial models, collaborated business partnering, while aligning with organizational goals & business plans.• Provided strategic advisement and actionable insights to stakeholders, played an instrumental role in establishing country structure & frameworks, led to growth in revenue by 2x while unlocking creative pool.• Led transformative projects, the launch of Disney Life in the Philippines as a pilot project before the launch of Disney+, achieving 2x revenue growth.• Successfully transformed and integrated the Maker & Fox-Star business post-acquisition/mergers into Disney policies, compliance, reporting, and process. Have also coached and mentored the business and Finance team to embrace challenges.• Establish and maintain internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with regulations, with objectives to maximise cash efficiency by 2x and minimise financial risk. Show less • Supported finance head and business GMs, crafting and executing annual budgets, strategic planning, forecasting, and reporting, and improving financial processes and operational efficiency by 10%.• Developed and implemented Media+(Integrated Marketing) process, a 'One-Stop' Sales solution in SEA resulting in revenue growth by 3x to $10mn. • Collaborating with Management auditors, to implement internal controls and compliance.• Spearheaded P&L reporting with analysis on business profitability, and sensitivity analysis and, carried out In-depth analysis of cost, challenging the status quo, to improve sourcing targets by 3x.• Engaged in business partnering with Sales, and Operational teams, executing end-to-end strategy, guided deal renewals that drove 15% increase in renewal rates and 7% top-line growth.• Partnered with Tax, controllership, and global stakeholders on the restructuring of legal and management reporting entities. Show less

  • Finance Head Role, Media Network, Disney SEA

    Jan 2021 - Dec 2023

  • Senior Finance Manager

    Apr 2015 - Dec 2020
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  Pace Business Consultants LLP

  Apr 2024 - now

  Strategic Finance Consultant

  A Strategic thinker, a Financial advisor to a business firm, advising on internal Financial & business process controls, compliance, and governance, translating financial data into actionable insights, and recommendations. • As a Financial Advisor to a business firm, led the internal financial controls, compliance, and governance process in major areas of AR, AP, and Balance sheet to optimise time by 15%. • Suggesting ways to craft the process that suits the business ecosystem within legal regulations and policies in order to drive sustainable revenue growth and reduce cost leakages by 5%. Show less