B. Hariharan is the Group Director – Finance, Avantha Group. An astute finance professional with over 25 years of experience, Mr. Hariharan joined the Group in 1985. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in the Group’s transformation. A key member of the core team spearheading Group company BILT’s turnaround strategy in the mid-1990s, he has held various senior executive positions, including Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BILT. He successfully led BILT’s foray into the international capital markets, notably the GDR and FCCB issues – a first in the Indian paper industry.

Mr. Hariharan has been instrumental in the Group’s strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&As) roadmap. The Group’s significant M&As include Crompton Greaves’ acquisition of Pauwels (Belgium), Ganz (Hungary), Microsol (Ireland), and Sonomatra (France); BILT’s acquisition of Sabah Forests Industries (SFI) of Malaysia; and The Global Green Company’s acquisition of Intergarden (Belgium).

Mr. Hariharan is also a member of the Avantha Group Council, which formulates strategy at the Group level.

A qualified chartered accountant, cost accountant and company secretary, Mr. Hariharan started his career in 1983 as an Accounts Trainee with Sundaram Clayton Limited. He is an active member of various forums such as The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, The Institute of Company Secretaries of India and The Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India.

Mr. Hariharan’s interests include Carnatic music, golf and cricket.