BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Where Financial Intelligence Meets Business Judgement
09th October, 2026
Mumbai
Overview
Finance is no longer just about reporting performance. It is increasingly about shaping the decisions behind it.
As AI, technology, data and new growth models reshape business, finance leaders are being called upon to think beyond the balance sheet — influencing where organisations invest, how they grow, manage risk and create long-term value. Finance Leadership Circle brings these leaders together for focused conversations, peer exchange and perspectives on what comes next.
A leadership circle for those shaping the decisions behind the numbers.
Beyond The Numbers – Where Financial Intelligence Meets Business Judgement
Finance is becoming more intelligent, automated and data-driven.
But as technology takes on more of the routine work of finance, the value of human judgement becomes more important, not less. Knowing what the numbers say is only the beginning. The real leadership challenge lies in understanding the context behind them, challenging the assumptions, recognising the signals within the noise, balancing opportunity with risk and deciding what the business should do next.
Financial intelligence can inform the decision.
Business judgement makes the decision.
Why Attend?
Join us for the conversation. Leave with a perspective.
Future-ready thinking
Understand how AI, automation, data and changing business models are reshaping the finance mandate.
Peer perspectives
Hear how finance leaders are approaching similar challenges across different organisations and industries.
Better questions
Challenge established assumptions around growth, investment, technology, risk and finance transformation.
Relevant connections
Build relationships with senior decision-makers who are influencing the future direction of their organisations.
Speakers
Khushbu Soni
Co-Founder & CEO
The Mainstream
Ashok Kumar Prasad
Group CFO
Macleods Pharmaceutical Limited
Bharat Agrawal
Senior Vice President and Group CFO
The Anthea Group
Debasis Nandy
President and Group CFO
Thomas Cook India Limited
Hiren Patadia
Chief Financial Officer
Apparel Group India
Kundip Thakker
Chief Financial Officer
Stelmec Ltd.
Naveen Bhadada
Chief Financial Officer
SUGAR Cosmetics
P Ganesh
Chief Financial Officer
Nykaa
Pavan Trrivedi
Executive Director and Group CFO
Epsilon Carbon Pvt Ltd
Dr. Rishi R Vyas
Head -Finance / Banking
Patel Engineering Ltd
Sambasivan G
Chief Financial Officer
Tata Play Ltd
Sandeep Mantri
Chief Financial and Impact Officer
Protean eGov Technologies
Sanjay Gupta
Senior Managing Director, CFO & Head of Finance shared Service
TIAA
Vimal Ladha
Chief Financial Officer
PSIPL (Property Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd.)
What to Expect
A different kind of leadership gathering
Finance Leadership Circle is designed around conversations rather than presentations.
The objective is to create space for leaders to share not only what worked, but also the decisions, trade-offs and lessons behind it.
Keynote Perspectives
Ideas from leaders examining where finance and business are heading next.
Executive Panels
Multiple perspectives on the questions shaping the modern CFO agenda.
Curated Networking
Meaningful interaction with a relevant community of senior leaders.
Leadership Experiences
Intimate formats that allow important conversations to continue beyond the main programme.
The Ecosystem
Where different business realities meet
The questions facing finance may be universal, but the answers often depend on the business. Finance Leadership Circle brings these perspectives into one room — creating a richer conversation around capital, growth, technology, risk and value.
BFSI & Financial Services
Industrials, Manufacturing & Engineering
Automotive & Mobility
Consumer, FMCG & Retail
Technology, It & Digital
Healthcare, Pharma & Life Sciences
Infrastructure, Real Estate & Construction
Energy, Power & Utilities
Business & Professional Services
Media, Hospitality & Diversified Enterprises
Who's Leading the Room?
The People Behind The Numbers
Finance Leadership Circle is designed for leaders with a role in shaping financial, strategic and enterprise decisions.
Finance Leadership
- CFOs, Group CFOs & Finance Directors
- VP – Finance & Heads of Finance
- Financial Controllers & Heads of FP&A
- Corporate Finance Leaders
- Treasury Leaders & Tax Leaders
Finance Transformation & Operations
- Finance Transformation Leaders
- Finance Technology Leaders
- GBS & Shared Services Leaders
- Risk & Controls Leaders
- Finance Strategy Leaders
Enterprise & Strategic Leadership
- CEOs & COOs
- CIOs & CTOs
- Chief Transformation Officers
- Chief Data & Analytics Officers
- Strategy Leaders
What Will Leaders Take Away?
More Than Insights. What Matters Next.
Explore how finance leaders are responding to the changing CFO mandate — from AI and transformation to capital, technology and enterprise value.
-
Perspective:
See how the finance mandate is evolving across industries and business models.
-
Practical Intelligence:
Understand what peers are actually doing with AI, technology, data and transformation.
-
Strategic Context:
Connect financial decisions with growth, resilience, capital and enterprise value.
-
Peer Benchmarks:
Compare approaches with leaders facing similar pressures in different environments.
-
New Thinking:
Challenge established assumptions around finance operating models and decision-making.
-
Meaningful Connections:
Build relationships with a curated community of senior finance and enterprise leaders.
Finance Leadership Circle Awards 2026
Recognising leaders who turn finance into impact
The Finance Leadership Circle Awards recognise finance leaders and organisations demonstrating meaningful leadership, innovation, transformation and measurable business impact.
The focus is not simply on the scale of a transformation or the adoption of a technology. It is on what changed, why it mattered and the value it created.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Strategic Finance Leader of the Year
Finance Transformation Leader of the Year
Risk & Resilience Leadership Award
Emerging Finance Leader of the Year
Contact Us
Interested in attending, partnering or being part of the conversation? Connect with the Finance Leadership Circle 2026.
For Speaking Opportunity
Batul Merchant
+91 8655639364
batul.merchant@mercadeo.co.in
For Sponsorship Opportunities
Abhishek Mohite
+91 98210 14576
abhishek.mohite@mercadeo.co.in
Sunny Bathija
+91 80975 52059
sunny.bathija@mercadeo.co.in
Aishwarya Shah
+91 99202 74089
aishwarya.shah@mercadeo.co.in
