Work history

• Pankaj was Partner and Head of M&A/Lead Advisory at Grant Thornton in India, which he established from start in 2006 (2006- Dec 2009).

• Part of start up team at Rabo India in 1998 which emerged as one of the leading Corporate finance and Investment banks in the country. Joined as Manager responsible for North India and progressed to Director with roles in Structured Debt, M&A and Relationship Management.(1998-2006).

• Worked in BNP Paribas(1995-1998) starting with CEO office covering new initiatives like Merchant Banking, Private Banking and progressed to lead Credit in North India and Relationship Management.

• Established track record in financing &. M&A in India with emerging and large corporate across key sectors like Telecom, Food and Agribusiness, Infrastructure, Pharma and Manufacturing.

Key M&A Deals

• American & Efird India investment and Vardhman Joint Venture

• Focus Brands (Cinnabon) -India Partner and Master Franchise

• WPP Group acquisition of Châteaux Hospitality

• Part acquisition-Grover Vineyards by Brindco

• Divestment of Hospitality business in Uttaranchal

• Divestment of cold chain logistics business to Gati

• Acquisition of Burnol from Reckitt Benckiser

• Divestment of Dumex India business (Protinex/Farex) to Wockhardt

• CTEL –offshore acquisition

• Divestment of Farex for Heinz

• Divestment of Eli Lilly brands to Nicholas

• Strategic alliance-Heinz-Dilmah

• Divestment of Max India-Pharma business to Jubilant Organosys

• Divestment of biscuits business for Nestle

Key Structured Finance Deals

• USD 60 mn acquisition finance for Bharti Televentures

• Term & promoter financing for Ranbaxy US operations & its promoters

• Acquisition financing for Jubilant Organosys US Clinical research business

• Bridge financing for Max India

• USD 25 mn structured finance for Modi’s/Distacom investment in Spice Telecom

• Advised USD 20 mn equity and debt in Saraya Industries by Clearwater Capital

• Acquisition financing for HTL acquisition by HFCL

• USD 40 mn equity capital raise for Morepen Laboratories

• Punj Lloyd- Structured financing for Highway projects

• Term and Working capital financing to over 100 corporates

Education

• MBA from McGIll University, Canada

• Bachelor's Degree ( Mechanical Engineering ) from Mangalore University

• Alumni of St Stephens College and Mayo College Ajmer

 

India Business Report Feature-BBC Interview