Our Team

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VIRAF RAIMALWALA

Founder & CEO, Kaizen Consulting

Viraf is a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) with degrees in commerce and law. He was partner with Ratan S Mama & Co, Mumbai (affiliated with Pannell Kerr Forster - 11th largest in UK and 15th largest worldwide) before moving to Bahrain to join PWC as Audit Manager/Senior Consultant. Later joined leading FMCG and supermarket operator in Bahrain – Al Jazira Group - one of the first in GCC to launch computerised point of sale scanning in 1992. Signed Franchise with Woolworths South Africa and set up their first store in Bahrain and GCC. Joined Landmark Group Bahrain and managed territory as GM for 8 years. In UAE he was GM/COO, Homes r Us (Lals Group) where he led expansion to 15 stores in 4 countries, took the brand to #2 position and won Superbrands award for the company twice. His last posting was as Group GM/COO in FMCG/ Supermarket major Fathima Group. Visited Portugal / Germany to review operations of Continente brand and signed franchise to set up business in UAE. Opened 6 high-end branded fashion stores from Madura Fashion (part of $45B Aditya Birla Group) and opened Manhattan Fish Market (speciality casual dining restaurant). Took care of strategic planning, gave leadership to a team of managers, guided and improved HR practices, launched new brands for trading, planned/opened new stores and revamped existing stores. Created stronger corporate framework/internal controls by appointing 10 CAs, strengthened internal audit and introduced/ implemented SAP. Carried out a comprehensive stake sale to a leading Abu Dhabi investment house and spearheaded negotiations, big-4 financial due diligence, legal due diligence, documentation, and corporate governance.

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Sumit Gupta

Retail and Supply Chain expert

Sumit is a Retail and Supply Chain expert. An MBA and a Strategic Retail Management graduate from SMU and an MBA from Indian School of Business, he has 16+ years of rich experience. As Commercial Director with KBBO CPG Investment, he headed 3 verticals including Supermarket major Fathima Group. He sat up SPAR supermarkets in Khimji Ramdas Group, Oman. Has worked with some of the biggest retail names in India – Reliance, Future Group and Aditya Birla Group. At Fathima Group, he achieved supply chain centralization, rationalized buying and achieved big savings in buying costs.

 

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Manish Khilnan

Founder & Managing Director, Zebuunite Capital

Manish is a Master in Finance from Lancaster University Management School. He has worked at Euromax Capital, London (Financial Modeling, valuations, negotiations, due diligence) and at Mata, Citibank and ING Vysya Bank in India. In UK he arranged US $ 350M for QTIL, JV for DKNY, $90M buyout of DyStar Germany and $ 30M Mezzanine Finance for Binani Group. In UAE he worked with a Corporate Finance firm, raised $150M for City Land Mall, $200M Lombard Loan for GRE, London property mortgage for UAE education sector major, AED 250M Loan & Mez transaction for a Café chain. Manish has now his own venture Zebuunite Capital.

 

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Sharin D’Mello

Associate Consultant - Kaizen Consulting
Young, energetic and enthusiastic, Sharin is a CA finalist with five years of audit/accounts/ tax related experience with a leading CA firm in Mangalore, India. She is a highly capable accounts and VAT professional, is fully conversant with accounting packages such as Tally ERP9, Winman ERP, Winman TDS, etc., has worked on GST and VAT for many clients in India and UAE. She has also carried out statutory and internal/operational audits, stock, VAT and tax audits and similar assignments. Sharin carries a pleasing personality, has positive attitude and is meticulous in her work.