CII CFO Excellence award: A recognition of exceptional leadership

Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy

AGM, Group Head – Business Excellence

Introduction

Mr. Anand Babu Kumarasamy, the Chief Financial Officer of Kauvery Hospitals, was recognized as the Healthcare Sector CFO of the Year at the CII CFO Awards 2024. The prestigious award was presented on 19th Sep’ 2024, at Hotel Taj West End in Bengaluru.

He was selected from a pool of 13 healthcare CFOs, demonstrating his exceptional financial leadership and contributions to the healthcare industry.

Mr. Anand Babu Kumarasamy’s Career Journey

Mr Anand Babu Kumarasamy, a Chartered Accountant with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades, has made significant contributions to the healthcare industry. He began his career as a Senior Audit Assistant at Venkat and Rangaa Chartered Accountants in Chennai. Over time, he developed his skills in financial management. His first foray into the healthcare industry was in 2012 when he joined CURA Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, as a Vice President. In 2013, he moved to Dr. Agarwal Health Care Limited, Chennai.

In 2019, he joined Kauvery Hospitals, where he has played a pivotal role in the group’s remarkable growth. Since his arrival, Kauvery Hospitals has expanded significantly, increasing its number of hospitals from 6 to 12 and its bed capacity from 800 to 2,500. His strategic leadership and financial acumen have been instrumental in driving this growth. He has overseen a series of successful mergers and acquisitions, including both greenfield and brownfield projects. These acquisitions have enabled Kauvery Hospitals to expand its geographic reach, increase its market share, and enhance its service offerings.

In addition to his role in acquisitions, he has also been responsible for developing and implementing Kauvery Hospitals’ financial strategy. He has established clear decision-making parameters for board approval, focusing on key metrics such as ROI, cost per bed, profitability targets, regional synergy potential, and financial safety thresholds. His approach has ensured that Kauvery Hospitals’ financial decisions are aligned with its strategic objectives.

He has also played a crucial role in securing debt financing from leading Indian banks and financial institutions. His efforts have provided Kauvery Hospitals with the necessary capital to support its growth initiatives, including both acquisitions and greenfield projects.

Beyond his financial expertise, he is also a champion of good corporate governance and risk management. He has implemented best practices in these areas, ensuring that Kauvery Hospitals operates in a transparent and ethical manner. His commitment to risk management has helped to protect the group’s financial stability and reputation.

CII CFO Excellence Awards: A Platform for Recognizing Financial Leadership

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has established itself as a leading organization in recognizing and rewarding excellence in various fields. In 2023-24, CII continued this tradition by organizing the third edition of the CFO Excellence Awards. The awards aim to identify and acknowledge individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capabilities and achievements in the finance function.

CFOs have increasingly become pivotal figures in corporate governance, transparency, and financial leadership. They play a crucial role in guiding organizations toward sustainable growth and success. The CII CFO Excellence Awards celebrate the exemplary contributions of CFOs, fostering a strong community of financial professionals and facilitating the exchange of best practices.

Given the significance of this third edition, CII raised the standards for the awards. Mr. Anand Babu Kumarasamy, the Chief Financial Officer of Kauvery Hospitals, was one of the distinguished recipients. In collaboration with Mr. Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy, the Business Excellence Head who provided valuable support in the application process, and Mr. Ananthan Rajagopalan, Associate Vice President – Corporate Finance who showcased his skills in presentations, they prepared a comprehensive document highlighting his exceptional achievements.

They showcased his exceptional skills and achievements in several areas, including

  • Fund Raising,
  • Finance Operations and Cost Optimization,
  • Growth Strategy,
  • Financial Preparedness for Public Markets,
  • Capital Allocation and Fund Raising, Strategic Debt,
  • Equity Mix, Cost Optimization for Sustainable Profitability,
  • Leverage Finance Expertise,
  • Risk Management and Corporate Governance,
  • Prioritize Best Practices and Technology as a Growth Catalyst

Recognition

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has a rigorous process for selecting recipients of its prestigious CFO Excellence Awards. After a thorough evaluation of application, CII took two months to announce the results. In September 2024, it was revealed that he had been selected as one of the top three CFOs in the healthcare sector.

This recognition holds immense significance, not only for him but also for Kauvery Hospitals. The Managing Director of Kauvery Hospitals expressed his admiration for the finance department’s transformation under his leadership. our Manging director stated that I first assumed the role of Managing Director, I had some concerns about the financial health of the organization. However, Mr Anand Babu and his team’s unwavering commitment and dedication have completely alleviated those worries.

The leadership team and Other Kauverians also extended their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on his achievement. His recognition as a CII CFO Excellence Award recipient underscores his outstanding contributions to the healthcare industry. His expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking have undoubtedly been instrumental in Kauvery Hospitals’ success.

Mr. Dhanasekar Sundaramoorthy
AGM, Group Head – Business Excellence

Kauvery Hospital