Lokesh Venkatraman

Reporting to Group CFO - Shared services as IT division head responsible for managing the full spectrum of the IT function for the Lal’s group to develop group corporate IT vision and lead technology operations & control of the business applications activities to meet the current requirements & future growth.

Handing 20+ different subsidies vertical’s & 3500+ staff within the group, supporting 240 + stores and 2 operating Mall’s in GCG.

Retail Division : Home R Us, Carter’s, Daiso - Japan, G2000, Bossini, Passion, USPolo etc…
Malls : Lamcy Mall & Arabian Centre.
Clubs Chain : Fitness 360
Distribution : LTC Food, LTC Novelty
Real-estate : Private Villas, Residential / Offices Tower’s


Currently leading corporate management ERP core selection committee to bring Digital Transformation change management strategy for the entire group across GCC by finalizing a new cloud based Tier-I ERP (Oracle Fusion or SAP S/4 Hana), HCM, CRM, BI & Big data application.

• Supervised a project team on Navision 2009 + LS Retail & completed a 2-year programme to implementation of new IT projects/enhancements, Cloud application migration (O365), and operations support for Mission Critical IT ERP roll-out (Microsoft Navision) retail automation drive in UAE & Wider MENA (Middle East and North Africa).
• As part of the senior management team, currently work closely with the senior stakeholders of the business in delivering the best IT strategy to support their division business growth.
• Lead, develop, implement and manage IT initiatives to align with long-term Group/BU strategy, This includes discussing and identifying various business needs in conjunction with BU and SS heads to incorporate their requirements in the Group IT strategic planning process.
• Motivate, add-value, and manage a team of 20+ IT Professional’s with 24x7 IT contact centre, so as to delivers quality and efficient services to the business.
• Accomplishes financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analysing variances; initiating corrective action.
• Maintains staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe and secure work environment; developing personal growth opportunities.
• Manage IT Projects from the analysis, requirements definition, vendor selection, implementation and supporting along with delivery on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
• Promote initiatives like SaaS / Cloud computing new technologies to improve efficiency and enhance the use of IT to improve efficiency and effectiveness with reduce cost.

Responsible for executing the Ghobash Group technical vision and leading all aspects of the Group’s technology operations. The role of top technology position (CTO role), playing leadership, vision, planning and control of the business applications activities to meet the Ghobash requirements & future growth. Reporting to the Group COO.

Handing - 13 different subsidies vertical’s within the group with Oracle ERP 12i Implementation & support.

Plan, direct and control the activities of 10 professionals involved in the management of Information Technology needs of the company’s business operations spread across in UAE & GCC with (24 Sites / 33 Retail Outlets/ 3 Warehouses / 6 Branches). Reporting to the CEO.
• Lead the Management teams (Project Leader) for Deployment Strategy for ORACLE 12i ERP implementation for complete Eros Group of companies.
• Direct long-range strategic planning based on technical forecasts of industry trends, plan, prepare and administer an AED 7 Million divisional budget for all IT functions.
• Identify evaluate cutting-edge solutions based on technical specifications and thorough research and testing and present it to the Senior Management.
• Responsible for Business Continuity Planning and Implementation of Disaster Recovery procedures.
• Manage all aspects of automation within the company including management of a of 450 users linked to the LAN/WAN/VPN. Perform Network Administration of the Company’s Intranet spread across 32 locations over in UAE and the whole of GCC.
• Ensure that strategic and core information is centralized and accessible to all users.
• Conduct IT Systems Audit of Computerised Operations of the Company.
• Plan and coordinate enhancements to the overall software /hardware environments.
• Institute previously non-existent project management guidelines within organization to improve ability to meet timelines, budgets and objectives.
• Identify assess and evaluate network requirements. Hire, supervise, motivate, and evaluate the performance of IT Division staff. Create and manage a technically competent, energized team skilled at completing projects on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with the vendors for the installations of software and hardware.

Spearheaded and established the I.T. Department.
• Planned, prepared and administered an AED. 2 Million Departmental budget for all IT functions. Reported to the General Manager. Directly supervised 2 staff
• Developed and implemented technology standards, IT systems & procedures, Security Policies.
• Served in a lead role and identified, analyzed, evaluated the business requirements and the infrastructure needs of the company for computerization.
• Managed all aspects of automation of the company.
• Responsible for monitoring and troubleshooting LAN /WAN set-up and maintaining connectivity for 150 users. Ensured optimum network performance & reliability.
• Managed preparation of project cost estimates / benefit analysis and Return on Investment. Planned, developed and implemented Project Work Breakdown structure, tracked budget and controlled expenses.
• Oversaw Hardware and Software procurements, maintenance and negotiations with Vendors. Troubleshooting of Hardware/ Software.

Provided leadership and direction to a team of 6 Developers involved in development, and implementation in-house

Responsible for the implementation of complete Software Application (Flash ERP Software), providing day-to-day post implementation technical system support, planning, developing and implementing Best Business Practices in for the company and provided leadership to client’s staff to maximize ROI.

• Conducted and managed all aspects of Business Process study. Interacted with functional personnel from initial stage to successful implementation of Software and went live on time.
• Provided guidance, assistance to company in the development and implementation of policies, systems & procedures.
• Realigned Business Processes with the over-all company’s strategy.

Ensure information systems solutions satisfied the requirements of individual business functions and provide staff with an automated working environment and improved employee effectiveness and productivity.
• Provided regular back-ups on data servers; ensured that information systems are properly maintained and that design changes are reflected in the documentation

Key Achievements:-

• Spearheaded and successfully managed to implement Disaster Recovery Procedures for the Company (IBM Fibre SAN/NAS setup).
• Demonstrated sound information technology engineering expertise in the business process mapping and implementation of Oracle EBS R12 ERP