Disruptive events such as the Red Sea crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war have caused a need to have a closer look at the role of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). A renewed approach demands that CFOs act as a change catalyst within the automotive supply chain to tackle future hurdles. To ensure stability in the Indian automotive industry filled with technological advancements, especially in alternative energy vehicles, CFOs are acting as co-pilots of transformation in the Indian automotive supply chain, opined Former Additional Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Government of India, Anand Swarup, during the ACMA CFO and Supply Chain Conference on 28 May 2025, in New Delhi.

The event brought to the forefront discussions on how the role of CFO’s has been changing over the year and saw participation from speakers from different organisations, including Maruti Suzuki India CFO Arnab Roy, among others. 

The speakers highlighted the evolution of customer demands, market dynamics and innovation due to the volatile business environment. Speaking at the event, Partner and National Auto Tax Leader at EY India, Saurabh Agarwal, said, “The CFO no longer works as an accountant, but dons multiple hats such as a risk manager and a strategic partner for resilience.”

“The leader must focus on execution and being agile in a dynamic environment to build strong relationships with other departments and ensure faster time to market. Staying agile will help an OEM to better handle changing customer demands and be able to introduce new features and variants faster,” he added.

Enumerating how flexibility helps the CFO devise strategies for optimising auto production, managing risks and adapting to supply chain disruptions, Roy said, “Real-time decisions must be made in today’s volatile world. As a result, the CFO’s role is now expanding to cover a gamut of subjects such as sustainability, location strategy and choice of appliances. Since we are within a multi-dimensional environment at present, the CFO’s role is moving from a cost controller to a continuity architect.”

Further describing the changing role of a CFO in a volatile uncertain complex and ambiguous world, it was discussed that CFOs must act as change catalyst in the automotive supply chain. While enumerating the above, Anant Swarup said, “The CFOs are not naysayers and their image of being cost-cutting agents is gradually changing. They are supply chain whisperers and co-pilots of transformation. Data-driven risk modelling helps them make accurate future decisions and turns them into participative entities.”

The current world scenario mandates a CFO’s financial expertise to assess vendor performance, identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements, analyse costs and mitigate supply chain risks. Alluding to the same, Roy explained, “The CFO can build a resilient supply chain through cash visibility and crisis foresight. Relocation with risk-adjusted precision is necessary as it helps prepare risk-adjusted return-on-investments models for various situations. The CFO must also build redundancies and incorporate inventory industrial planning into the company’s business plan. As the world de-globalises due to geo-political scenarios, auto manufacturers are being forced to reassess their supply chains.”    

“Seventy-five percent of automotive revenue is attributable to raw materials. Supply chain management provides a competitive edge. Yet another role for the CFO would be to optimise capital for crisis situations that may include geopolitical shifts,” Roy added.  Speaker Sunil Bohra, CFO, Uno Minda Group, while describing how CFO’s act as change catalyst in automotive supply chain, said, “Every automotive plant in India produces roughly 14,000 parts.” He explained that supply chain management must account for cost control and operational efficiency, leading to effective allocation of resources, high profitability and less waste. It is the supply chain-CFO partnership that decides the future of automotive companies and manufacturers.

Though geo-political scenarios are predominantly uncertain, CFO’s have the arsenal to make calculated decisions for mitigating risks. EY India Partner, Tax, Pankaj Jain, explained, “When changes happen at the geo-political level, we must take some calls. For example, one such concept could be focusing on developing tier II and tier III vendors in India.”

The speakers also discussed on how discipline and immense hard work during the entire shift has helped China reach where it is in the auto manufacturing sector. Highlighting the Indian scenario vis-a-vis China, President- Finance and Strategy at Minda Corporation, Ajay Agrawal, said, “India must stop trying to beat China in the manufacturing industry right now since we have only been in the supply chain business for 2-3 years. The best way forward is for us to partner with China.”  

A smart supply chain-CFO partnership is possible through digitalisation. The CFO's role today has undergone a paradigm shift, making him a partner of strategic convergence across the supply chain, finance and digitalisation as the partnership is no longer just an operational topic.

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Vietnamese electric vehicle company VinFast, part of Vingroup, is further accelerating its India business plans by strengthening its leadership team.

In fact, VinFast India, which is set to expand its product offerings in the country by introducing electric two-wheelers later this year, has appointed Vineet Srivastava as the Deputy CEO for its e-scooter business.

Srivastava, a sales strategy veteran, joins the Vietnamese company from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, where he led enterprise-wide verticals, including Sales Strategy & Planning, Institutional Sales and Retail Finance.

In his over 15-years of relationship with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, he was instrumental in onboarding 894 Authorised Secondary Networks and mobilised over INR 2.7 billion in funding for the company.  

Prior to that, he has worked with Kotak Mahindra Old Life Insurance Company, SBI Life Insurance Company and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. In his new role, Srivastava will be tasked with developing VinFast India’s e-scooter network, business development, sales operations, promotion and market planning.

While VinFast India currently sells electric passenger vehicles, it is set to introduce electric scooters like its globally popular offerings the Evo, Feliz and Viper.

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Uber has appointed Arpit Tyagi as the Head of Advertising for its Indian operations to further scale its advertising business and expand partnerships with brands, agencies and marketers within the region.

Tyagi will lead the commercial strategy and operations for Uber Advertising in India. He will oversee a dedicated India-based team tasked with developing solutions that allow brands to engage consumers during ‘high-intent, real-world moments’ on the Uber platform.

He brings over 15 years of experience in advertising, media and marketing technology to the role. The executive has extensive experience in retail media, data-driven marketing, and customer-centric innovation at Amazon Ads and he most recently served as Director of Enterprise Sales at The Trade Desk, where he managed strategic partnerships with major Indian advertisers and agencies.

Michael Levine, Head of APAC Sales, Uber Advertising, said, “India is one of the most dynamic and exciting advertising markets in the world, and Uber is uniquely positioned to help brands connect with consumers at moments that matter. Arpit brings a strong understanding of the evolving advertising ecosystem and a proven track record of building high-performing businesses.”

Uber Advertising operates in over 35 markets globally. In India, the business has seen growth across sectors such as CPG, media and entertainment, technology, e-commerce, and retail. To date, the platform has partnered with over 200 brands and agencies in the region.

Tyagi said, “Uber sits at the intersection of people's everyday movements and decisions, creating unique opportunities for brands to engage audiences in highly contextual and measurable ways. I'm excited to join Uber at such a pivotal moment and look forward to working with our partners to help them achieve their business objectives through innovative advertising solutions.”

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Honda India Foundation (HIF) has provided 26 emergency response vehicles to the Udaipur Police to assist with patrol and mobility across the district.

The handover includes 25 Honda Shine 100 motorcycles, modified with emergency signalling systems, public address equipment, flashlights, storage units and safety gear. Furthermore, it has provided a Honda Elevate C-SUV, also outfitted for police requirements.

The vehicles are intended for use in tourist zones, urban centres and areas where manoeuvrability is necessary for police operations. This follows a previous contribution of 25 vehicles provided in February 2026 to support the Udaipur Police Tourist Patrolling Team.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by officials including Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh; Gaurav Agrawal, District Collector; Gaurav Srivastava, Inspector General of Police, Udaipur Range; Dr. Amrita Duhan, Superintendent of Police, Udaipur and Rajeev Taneja, Operating Officer, Honda India Foundation.

Gulab Chand Kataria said, “Udaipur is an important centre of public and tourist activity, and this effort will further strengthen our Police Patrolling Team to support public safety across the district. I appreciate Honda India Foundation for this meaningful contribution. Their continued engagement in such collaborative efforts contributes to strengthening public service delivery at the local level.”

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Fleet Management Limited has marked the International Day of the Seafarer by issuing a renewed call for the global community to acknowledge the often-overlooked civilian professionals who underpin international trade. The maritime services provider simultaneously introduced a new digital tool, named Pulse, aimed at delivering continuous and practical assistance to crew members while at sea.

In light of recent diplomatic efforts to stabilise regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, Fleet Management has voiced its support for multilateral actions designed to address the systemic vulnerabilities faced by merchant mariners. The company has highlighted a persistent pattern where civilian seafarers are disproportionately exposed to geopolitical tensions. The stance aligns with the International Maritime Organization's 2026 theme, which underscores the dual reality of seafarers carrying global trade while shouldering significant operational risks.

Since February, an estimated 20,000 civilian seafarers have navigated volatile maritime zones, with roughly 600 of those individuals under Fleet Management's direct supervision. The firm assesses any resumption of transit on a vessel-by-vessel basis, utilising specific risk matrices to ensure that every manoeuvre is deliberate and grounded in stringent safety standards. Support mechanisms under the Fleet Care programme include 24/7 mental health services and wellness initiatives, while the fleet maintains industry-leading insurance coverage for personnel both on duty and during leave.

The newly launched Pulse application is described as a digital lifeline designed to simplify administrative processes and consolidate essential documents for the company's 27,000 seafarers. Beyond reducing bureaucratic burdens, the platform offers uninterrupted access to critical health resources, ensuring that crew members remain connected to the Fleet Care network regardless of location. This technological advancement represents a significant evolution in the company's strategy to deliver consistent, everyday assistance to its global maritime community.

Complementing these operational enhancements, Fleet Management has initiated global advocacy campaigns this week to increase public awareness of seafarers' contributions. Targeted family outreach programmes have been conducted through crewing offices in India, the Philippines and China, alongside community activities and multi-city public campaigns.

These efforts are reinforced by substantial training investments, with the company issuing over 80,000 certificates annually and training 500 cadets each year at the International Maritime Institute to ensure a resilient and proficient workforce.

Dr Harry Banga, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Caravel Group and Fleet Management Limited, said, "Countries, industries and communities rely on seafarers to keep essential goods flowing. Waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are key arteries of the global economy. When disrupted, the impact is immediate. Costs rise. Supply chains tighten. Today is a reminder that the industry and governments must act decisively to uphold safe and free navigation, so seafarers can sail with confidence."

Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam, Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Management Limited, said, "As a company, and as an industry, we have a responsibility to speak up. Seafarers are civilians who carry responsibility in the face of risk and adversity, in conditions beyond their control. This must not become the new normal. They must be seen, heard and properly protected. We are encouraged by the IMO-led evacuation efforts underway to restore safe transit and hope confidence will soon rebuild."

Angad Banga, Chief Executive Officer of The Caravel Group and Executive Director of Fleet Management Limited, said, "Recognition has to translate into action. Not once a year, but every day. That means understanding the pressures our seafarers operate under and responding with consistent, practical support. At Fleet, this shows up in the decisions we make and the systems we build to support our crews."

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