Mr Gaurav Terdal, CHRO, SMFG India Credit
Q1. How does SMFG India Credit’s dual-hub strategy align with the company’s broader goals?
SMFG India Credit has strategically positioned its operations across two vital hubs, Mumbai and Chennai. This model combines the skilled workforce offered by both these cities and build a future-ready organization. While Mumbai, being a financial and business hub, provides strategic leadership capabilities, Chennai, known for its cost-efficient operations, focuses primarily on executing key back-office and mid-office functions with precision and scalability.
Our dual-hub strategy is a key pillar in supporting us with our Business Continuity Plan, ensuring that critical business functions can continue uninterrupted in the face of unforeseen challenges. By aligning teams across both these hubs, we have enabled seamless collaboration, thus ensuring enhanced execution across various functions. This strategy not only drives operational efficiency but also strengthens our ability to adapt to market demands while fostering innovation and sustainable growth.
Q2. How is SMFG India Credit building a future-ready workforce, aided by this dual-hub strategy?
SMFG India Credit is focused on hiring professionals with advanced certifications and strong digital skills to meet industry demands. We are expanding technology and assurance functions across both locations, emphasizing roles in IT, cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance. This expansion strengthens the company’s risk management practices and boosts its technological capabilities to stay ahead of industry trends.
Our support for the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), a government initiative, includes providing employment opportunities to fresh graduates. By inducting them into our Operations team in Chennai, we are committed to fostering young talent and contributing to the national objective of enhancing employability among the youth.
Moreover, our strong value system runs consistently across Mumbai and Chennai. Employees have access to wellness practices, talent engagement interventions, and continuous learning opportunities, ensuring employees can grow and advance in their careers.
Q3. Why does it make business sense to have SMFG India Credit’s headquarters and Centre of Excellence in Mumbai?
As a prominent non-banking finance company, positioning our leadership talent in Mumbai, India’s financial epicenter, significantly bolsters our ability to effectively liaise with regulatory bodies, key partners, rating agencies and lenders. Furthermore, Mumbai’s vibrant professional environment and top-tier educational institutions contribute to a strong leadership pipeline, ensuring effective succession planning and the continuous development of our leadership bench.
The company’s operation in Mumbai is supported by modern infrastructure designed to enhance teamwork and innovation. The corporate office at Maker Maxity in Bandra Kurla Complex hosts senior leadership, while the Centre of Excellence comprises over 2,300 employees situated in a sprawling 1.94 lakh square feet facility at Embassy 247 in Vikhroli. Equipped with advanced technology and collaborative workspaces, these offices enable efficient operations which helps us to drive growth and maintain our position as one of the leading companies in the NBFC space.
Q4. How does SMFG India Credit’s new Centre of Excellence in Chennai contribute to its operational excellence and growth strategy?
The Chennai Center for Operational Excellence plays a pivotal role in our operations. Located at Commerzone IT Park in Porur, this extensive 70,000 square foot facility houses over 700 employees. It specializes in critical back-office and mid-office functions including Operations, Contact Center, and Expense Processing Unit. The skilled workforce in Chennai excels in supporting these essential functions with remarkable precision and efficiency.
The Chennai hub also helps us meet our business needs by providing cost-efficient operations while maintaining high-quality standards.This allows the company to scale its support functions effectively. Additionally, the facility’s modern infrastructure and work environment foster productivity and innovation, helping the company deliver seamless services and keep pace with evolving industry demands.
Q5. How does SMFG India Credit support employee well-being and development while driving organizational success?
SMFG India Credit provides continuous learning opportunities, including training, certifications, and leadership development. We support career progression, helping employees enhance their skills and advance to leadership roles. To strengthen the portfolios of our leadership, we have executive development programs in partnership with premier institutes such as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta and the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). Our Accelerated Leadership Program provides a platform for mid-level managers to enhance strategic thinking and situational leadership, while our STEP – Great Manager Program has trained 1000+ managers so far, with 80% certified as ‘Great People Managers’. We also have targeted leadership programs to empower our women leaders, such as ‘1000 Women Leaders Program’ and XLRI’s ‘Upsurge’. Additionally, we leverage platforms like EDx for virtual learning and provide self-paced learning options for employees.
At SMFG India Credit, employee well-being is equally prioritized, supported by initiatives such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), mental health support, wellness workshops, and paid health check-ups. Additionally, we have a medical center in our Mumbai COE staffed with doctors and nurses from reputed hospitals in Mumbai, ensuring high-quality healthcare for our employees. Our facilities also include a gymnasium, promoting physical fitness and overall wellness.
We foster a strong culture of recognition through programs like the CEO Awards, STAR Awards, and SPARK Spot Recognition, honoring individual and team achievements.
The company’s commitment to creating a Great Place to Work is reflected in its six consecutive years of recognition, alongside accolades such as ET Future Ready Organization (FY24-25) and ET Awards for Best DEI Practices.
These holistic approaches ensure that employees feel valued and supported while contributing to the company’s long-term success.
