Ashar Ali Email & Phone Number

Pakistan

• Led the feasibility and successful launch of a new business, "Begin" an over the top (OTT) video platform, resulting in a projected 40% increase in group bottom line over a 5-year period.• Closed the first funding round for the startup from VCs by conducting a valuation analysis and leading negotiations alongside the business's CEO. • Managed the due diligence processes with the VC working with legal, finance, and the business team • Developed user acquisition strategy for new business targeting 1.2 million users in first five years Identified new markets for expansion strategy by analyzing market trends, consumer insights, and competitor data • Conducted commercial feasibilities, financial analysis, and valuations for multiple new businesses that the group can acquire or venture into.• Directed cross-functional teams in executing corporate strategies through effective communication and collaboration • Collaborated with senior leadership to establish long-term goals and develop actionable plans for achieving them • Mentored and coached junior team members to enhance strategic thinking and problem-solving skills • Conducted thorough research on industry trends, customer needs, competitive landscape • Identified areas for operational improvement and devised innovative solutions to increase efficiency and profitability • Created detailed presentations for executive review outlining proposed strategies, risks, and benefits Implemented new revenue strategies through statistical analysis

• My role reports directly into the Chief Strategy officer and Chief Executive officer of the company.• I am tasked with identifying new markets in which to invest and businesses which fit the company's vision. this involves in conducting commercial feasibilities as well as financial analysis and valuations for those businesses utilizing a variety of methods.• My role's secondary function is to guide and consult to formulate business strategies for the businesses which the company owns with their respective CEOs. These include bSecure, our tech checkout / payment solution, Walee and influencer marketing platform, and Brainchild which is the largest media agency in Pakistan. • I Have Experience in m&a transactions through our Z2C's share purchase in Walee & Omni Racing as well as evaluating Z2C's sale of the bSecure business to Zoodpay.• I am working over multiple industries such as ecommerce, payments, video streaming and sports.• Crafted the strategy and piloted the launch of a new OTT app - Begin.watch by bringing legal premium English content to Pakistan digitally for the first time along with sports after closing deals with production houses such as Paramount, NBC Universal & Sony Pictures.

Was responsible for the company's long term debt portfolio and financial risk.I have experience in availing long term debt from both foreign and local lenders to fund the company's annual Capex requirements whilst optimizing the company's debt : Equity ratio and minimizing cost of capital. I was also responsible for hedging our foreign exchange and interest rate risk on foreign currency loans and payments.I am also leading insurance for the company, and lead the work with re-insurers abroad to close deals on large policies such as property damage, business interruption and terrorism. By forming cross functional teams across the group we worked on a project to consolidate these policies which achieved substantial cost savings for the group, hence establishing Engro as the cost leader in the country in the field of insurance.I also have strong modeling and forecasting skills developed by making short term and long term models up to 5 years for two of the company's largest businesses. In my first year at the company I started and then lead a CSR initiative to aid subsistence level farmers in the country by providing them the company's products, simultaneously establishing and expanding Engro's footprint in new, untapped areas, in some of which where Engro now leads. The project is now up and running and operating smoothly on SOPs which our team designed.

Role included:Strategic Projects:• Preparing financing mechanisms for new ventures and takeovers made by the company.Liquidity Management:• Monitoring cash flow forecasts and arranging equilibrium balances with each bank to save interest cost.• Continuously monitoring bank balances for effective utilization of funds and at optimal costs. • Managing relationships with all of the Company’s banking partners and ensuring that the Company’s banking lines are at all times sufficient to meet its commercial and trade obligations.• Providing assistance to business units for any banking related matters.• Responsible for preparation of Treasury Newsletter on a monthly basis.Debt Financing:• To support Treasury Manager in identifying and evaluating the options / facilities available for Debt Financing, including Long Term Loans, Long Term Financing Facility, Export Financing Scheme, Running Finance and Foreign Exchange Loan. Risk Management:• Compiling and analysing foreign currency exposure of the Company on weekly basis and reporting to Corporate Finance Management and the Chief Financial Officer on a timely basis.• Conducting research and forecasting expected exchange rate movement.• Providing recommendations to the Treasury Manager for foreign exposure cover and hedging as well as leading the negotiation of rates with banks for forward contracts.

Bachelor’S Degree, Accounting And Finance

O&A Levels