Ashwin Vijaya Kumar

Investment Sector-Strategy:
• Conceptualized, drafted and secured Investment Committee and Board of Directors’ approvals for BMHC’s investment strategy for the Aviation, Education and Technology sectors focusing on key sub-sector themes, rebalancing strategies and geographic diversification

Direct Private Equity Investments:
• Sourced 100+ deals, diligenced 40+ and closed transactions across Technology (IoT, Ed-Tech, SAAS, Water-tech), Education, Healthcare, Aviation and Industrial sectors
• Originated and executed club investment in UAE based GEMS MENASA (Education) with Fajr Capital and Blackstone. Established comprehensive governance structures (committees for investment, remuneration and IPO) and supported business development. Realized a 2.4x cash multiple (28% IRR) on exit
• Sourced and executed co-investment in Nobel Learning (Education+Tech), a US based pre-school chain. Supported organic expansion of to increase managed schools from 32 to 41, expanding EBITDA 1.6x in 20 months. Achieved a 2.8x cash multiple (37% IRR) on exit
• Participated in a co-investment in PRO-Unlimited (SAAS Tech), a US based tech-driven contingent workforce management company. Worked with management and co-investor InvestCorp, assisted implementation of its organic strategy and achieved a 2.8x cash multiple (37% IRR) on exit
• Sourced and led acquisition of a 30% equity stake in FAI (Healthcare/Aviation), a German air ambulance company, set long-term strategic, operational and financial KPIs. Served as Board advisor and established strategic partnerships with BMHC companies (including McLaren)
• Assisted the acquisition of a 49% stake in Premo Group (IoT Technology), a Spanish manufacturer of electronic components (IoT, M2M, connected/electric vehicles). Revenue up 1.3x and EBITDA up 1.6x since acquisition

Portfolio Management Value Creation:
• Led the successful restructuring of the operations of Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national airline, reducing operating losses from $500 million a year to $120 million within 9 months. Worked with the Board and management to realign the airline’s fleet, network and product strategy and secured $500 million funding from the Government of Bahrain
• As a Board member, led search and appointment of new CEO at Gulf Aviation Academy, reorganized capital structure and oversaw execution of new strategy that increased revenues 1.4x and EBITDA 1.3x within 12 months. Secured follow-on equity of $23 million and negotiated a $40 million debt refinancing
• Guided management of Bahrain Airport Company to create its new Go-Forward strategy that resulted in a 25% increase in aeronautical revenues and a 30% increase in non-aeronautical revenues. Assisted Board in search and selection of CEO (2010)
• Advised the Board and management of National Bank of Bahrain in the adoption of the bank’s new digital transformation strategy aimed at reducing operating costs by 25%, domestic M&A and expansion strategy (including the launch of a digital bank) and international expansion strategy (KSA and UAE)
• Advised the Board of Bahrain based Gulf Hotels Group in the adoption of its go-forward strategy focusing on unlocking value through balance sheet restructuring (asset light vs. asset heavy), domestic organic expansion (franchise model) and international M&A (selective acquisitions)

• Completed 4 direct-investment transactions across MENA and Europe
• Supported end-to-end process for acquisitions and divestitures (including 2 exits, realized ~2x on each)
• Executed Sharia’h-compliant investments in real estate, steel manufacturing, automotive & financial services

•Involved in extensive financial analysis, modeling and valuation of US based public and private companies through public comparables and discounted cash flow analyses
•Preparation of detailed pitch-books for client meetings based out of discussions with senior investment bankers in the US
•Evaluation of the financial and strategic feasibility of proposed mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and recapitalizations
•Sole liaison between the U.S. Consumer & Retail team and the Indian team with active interaction with Senior investment bankers based in New York and Chicago
•Successful transition of Investment Banking practices of the C&R sector from the US and active participation in the Company’s efforts in business development, team expansion, hiring and training
•Currently managing a team of 5 analysts including IITans, CAs and MBAs
•Selected advisory assignments:
oExtensive study of the performance of the Discount Retailers segment in the US with specific emphasis on growth potential, market expansion and SWOT analysis
oStudy of the Indian Retail market, identified key growth drivers and urged Banc of America Securities to set up full fledged investment banking practice in India

•In-charge of the annual planning process and periodic monitoring, analysis and reporting of sales to contribution margin (CM), product performance (price, mix, segment, region, etc) and base costs for the Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) lines of business of GE Healthcare
•Involved in the creation and updation of operational manuals and Standard Operating Procedures. Held the position of the Chief Facilitator of the sales to CM Knowledge Management portal of GEHC
•Active participation in team’s efforts in hiring and training
•Sent initially to Milwaukee, WI, USA for 3 months to migrate the sales to CM process, took complete charge within a month and handled the entire process out of the US for 6 months (in 2003)

•Supported Head Quarters operations with regard to queries on Travel policy, preparation of reports on special projects with particular emphasis on migrating operations from HQ to Chennai and preparation of monthly MIS

•Letters of Credit Department: Responsible for timely processing of LCs, including confirmation, advising, issuance, amendment and negotiation in accordance with regulatory / compliance / UCP / bank policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to controls and ensuring integrity of all accounting entries leading to nil revenue leakage
•International Money Transfers Department: Responsible for authorizing US dollar payments via SWIFT using the INTRANET payment system, connected to the NY clearing systems (CHIPS/FED), assisting other departments in query resolution and liaison with Relationship Managers and Departments in New York (IMT / Trade Reimbursements / LC / PSI)
•Received extensive training in New York, NY, USA on SWIFT, CHIPS and FED (in 2001)