Sarmad Hasan, Aca Email & Phone Number

Pakistan

- Strategy: Drive annual, semi-annual strategy + refresh (as required). Drive strategic direction and framework for markets. Identify areas of opportunity. Develop/coordinate Implementation plan against annual strategy- Planning: Build and maintain financial models, operational reporting, OKRs, projections, and key business metrics to inform leadership decision making. Lead competitive response strategy: global and by market- Reporting: Provide high-quality business reviews for the Boards (Careem + Uber). Run weekly leadership calls- Program/Project Management: Be a resourceful, go-getting multitasker, supporting initiatives across the region by working with cross-functional team members in different markets- Governance: Ensure MEA-wide forums and decision-making processes are effectively run to a high standard of quality- Stakeholder management: Collaborate with other functional areas (Engineering, Business Development, People Operations, Product, Legal, Finance, etc.) to ensure efficient and productive working relationships- Advised the Management on turning Careem Pakistan profitable by developing a comprehensive roadmap involving various financial and non-financial initiatives.- Provide oversight on strategic matters / in critical situations which were high-risk for the business and the entity.

-) Led end-to-end Spectrum Auction 2021 project for Ufone resulting in Ufone acquiring its desired 9 MHz spectrum. Recipient of CEO’s recognition award ‘star performer’ for extraordinary contribution.-) Developed strategic roadmap for Mobile Financial Services (MFS) “UPaisa” at the Etisalat Group level to be implemented in Pakistan.-) Headed Universal Service Fund (USF) project delivery. Under my supervision, Ufone has won projects valuing over PKR 4.7 Bn through competitive bidding process.-) Evaluated external environment, industry, and competitors’ strategy / activities / financial state to identify key opportunities / threats.-) Performed and presented business cases for special/strategic projects (USF, cost optimization, synergies within the Group and other telecom players, revenue initiatives)-) Assisted the management in steering Ufone throughout COVID period by evaluating and implementing different opportunities and scenarios.-) Prepared forecasted balance sheet and income statement of the MergeCo., capital structuring, market analysis, synergy analysis, stakeholder management, leading cross-functional teams to evaluate inorganic growth opportunity involving potential Merger & Acquisition (M&A) transaction worth over USD 1 Bn.-) Part of the core team overseeing key strategic projects, strategy scenarios development, complex business & market valuation, exploring new operating models, due diligence support etc.-) Accelerated work on emergent priorities as necessary which may involve project management / PMO of key initiatives, coordination of cross-functional projects, etc.-) Articulated business strategy through clearly defined goals and KPIs. Monitor KPI infrastructure in order to facilitate analysis and reporting of performance against strategic objectives.-) Building an effective dialogue both external and cross-functional cooperation (within Commercial, Technical & Financial teams) in business decisions making processes.

-) Perform Financial Statement analysis for the senior management, the Board and business reviews.-) Prepare/Review business cases for strategic projects. -) Developed and presented 1LINK's Business Strategy 2018-2023 to the Board and got it approved. -) Develop long-term vision on the evolution of the payments industry, competitive landscape, new technology developments and regulatory environment.-) Evaluate and analyze new business initiatives based on 1LINK's core competencies.-) Structure and solve business problems, collaborating and coordinating with a range of internal stakeholders to make recommendations on a wide range of business issues.-) Build out unique, creative and impactful solutions by integrating insights across 1LINK’s resources and supporting collaborative solution development.-) Ensure strategic and financial soundness and alignment for recommendations.-) Work closely with functional and senior management teams on strategic projects, bringing timely and useful insight and analytical support.-) Identify various communication channels and platforms to enhance 1LINK visibility.-) Develop and implement 1LINK Livery across the organization.-) Oversee rollout of PRs and other communication of milestones achieved by 1LINK.-) Market Research, product analytics, and assessment of payments landscape for product penetration and readiness.-) Development of innovative payment and digital solutions and product papers.Accomplishments:-) Significant contribution in revising 1LINK's Vision, Mission and Core Values-) Developed 1LINK's communication guidelines. Identified platforms and channels to effectively communicate with external and internal stakeholders.-) Introduced communication templates to ensure brand efficiency and consistency.-) Played significant part in revamping 1LINK Livery

Karachi

-) Studied General Management covering courses such as Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, Project Management, Leadership, Business Analytics, Research, Services Marketing.-) Teaching Assistant (Part-time) in the Faculty of Marketing for MBA Program.-) Conducted research and presented paper on socio-economic impact of Special Economic Zones SEZs (CPEC) in Pakistan with a comparative study on Chinese SEZs in collaboration with Shanghai University.-) Successfully presented comprehensive market research on 'Digital Payments Ecosystem in Pakistan' exploring reasons for low adoption of digital payments in Pakistan. The project was commissioned by 1LINK (Pvt) Limited, Pakistan's largest payment switch network.

Pakistan

A&P (Advertisement and Promotions)-) Brand-wise regional reporting of A&P expenses on a monthly basis.-) Setting up controls to ensure accurate A&P accounting, reporting and ensuring integrity of all A&P financial information produced and submitted internally and externally.-) Ensuring that A&P spends are accounted for in accordance with US GAAP, Mondelez polices and local accounting pronouncements (SOCPA etc.), maintain reconciliation tracker for differences.-) Review of all media payments which includes outdoor and media airing.-) Monitoring of budgets for Advertising and Trade Deals.Business Unit (BU) Controlling-) Review of expenses recorded during the month and ensuring correct GL and Cost center classification.-) Review of cost center summary which includes analysis of Actual vs. Budgets vs. Last year and reconciling numbers with FiT.-) Accurate and timely reporting of BU related overheads on a monthly basis.-) Monitoring sufficiency of provisions with respect to BU overheads.-) Preparation of Brand P&L for reporting purposes.-) Ensuring that all necessary documentation with respect to SOX is available for BU reporting.Accomplishments-) Awarded ‘Thumbs up’ certificate in 2015 and 2016 for handling additional multiple roles while maintaining all standards and timely meeting all reporting targets and successfully completing FCPA audit.-) Introduced various controls for verification of the A&P payments reducing the risk of any false payments-) Issuing cost center reports to the business heads and highlighting areas where cost effectiveness can be achieved and where budget can be utilized more efficiently. -) Ensuring 100% on time payments to the media agencies.-) Maintaining excellent relationships with the agencies enabling the company to obtain better credit terms and better business opportunities.-) Finalizing file storage and handling arrangements with third-party.

Karachi

I was engaged in the Audit and Assurance Business Services (AABS) department at Ernst and Young. In addition to various assurance engagements, I was seconded to Unilever Pakistan Limited in the ‘Internal Audit’ Department. Key responsibilities included:-) Leading external audit assignments with regards to statutory audits, half-yearly reviews and special audit assignments.-) Carrying out planning, execution and conclusion of audit engagements. Coordinating with client staff, the audit manager and partner to ensure deadlines are met effectively.-) Provide supervision to team members and guiding them to ensure targeted objectives are achieved.-) Ensuring compliance with financial and regulatory reporting, as well as auditing standards while conducting audit engagements. Also, assisting clients in preparation of financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework including compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), local corporate laws and directives issued by any applicable regulatory authority/authorities.-) Establishing positive working environment by building strong relationships with team members, clients and other stakeholders.-) On-the-job training and professional development of subordinate staff.

Abu Dhabi, Uae

Aca, Qualified

Qualified Chartered Accountant

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Accounting And Finance