Mustafa Kanchwala

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager at Al Yasra Fashion, a GCC retailer with revenue in excess of USD 250 million

Led financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes, driving data-driven decision-making and cost-efficiency across the organization

Championed strategic initiatives, like entry into Athleisure business, aiming to double revenues in the next 5 years

Engineered optimization initiatives, including inventory clearance and store portfolio enhancements to drive enhanced profitability

Acted as a financial consultant to Al Yasra Fashion joint ventures, providing strategic insights, best practices, and overseeing financial reporting for improved performance

Directly report to the CFO overseeing a team of two members to achieve organizational objectives

Developed and analyzed strategic business plans for new brands and markets, and supported the acquisition of Cole Haan in UAE

Played a key role in the successful implementation of IBM Planning Analytics & Workspace, reducing reporting time

Managed reporting, budgeting, quarterly reforecasting, and franchise agreements for the Premium Fashion, Fashion & Footwear business unit

Analyzed weekly trade data to drive sales, margin, KPI’s and inventory improvements.

Enhanced monthly financial reporting with variance analysis (P&L, Cash Flow, Inventory) for informed decision-making.

Led new store feasibility studies and lease exit analyses to make informed strategic decisions

Supported the acquisition of the UAE Watches business through comprehensive analysis and due diligence

Applied financial modeling, market feasibility studies, and reporting tools like SAP BI and IBM Cognos for data-driven decision-making.

Part of the dynamic business development team reporting to the Chairman and CEO

Responsible for sourcing/identifying potential acquisitions and prospective franchise opportunities within the retail space

Conducted various feasibility, market and financial analyses within the fashion, footwear, casual & fine dining and grocery retail segments

Evaluated new retail sectors and geographic markets along with providing support to current portfolio of retail brands through various methods i.e building business plans, negotiations and providing market insight

Noor Financial Investment Company is a Kuwaiti investment company, engaged in investment and financial activities primarily in Kuwait, the Middle East, Americas, Asia and other emerging markets

The company was established as the financial arm of the National Industries Group and has approximately $2500 MM of AUM

Worked in the Investment Banking Group in the team focused on real estate, financial institutions, media, healthcare and education sectors

Member of the team responsible for focusing on restructuring opportunities in Kuwait which included providing clients with capital raising and advisory services
Secured client mandate as financial advisors for a $1, 400 MM real estate project in Abu Dhabi

Managed emerging market portfolios which were started in partnership with recognized fund managers

Built partnerships with distinguished organizations focusing on healthcare, education, infrastructure and financial services in Kuwait and the Middle East

Aleutian Capital Partners is a private equity investment group that invests in and acquires privately-owned companies with revenue between $10 and $200 MM

Analyzed 10-K reports and executive summaries/offering memorandums of target companies to assess their relative financial health for either acquisition services or strategic fit of potential investments

Prepared and distributed marketing material to over 400 clients for acquisition services side of the firm

Huron’s Restructuring and Turnaround provides interim management and advisory services for distressed and underperforming companies

Member of team appointed to be the Chief Restructuring Officer of The 1031 Tax Group, LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after failing to pay $151 MM to more than 300 investors

Reported daily proceedings of the case through the docket using pacer to the management team

Prepared a master list of over 150 subsidiaries controlled by The 1031 Tax Group, LLC for the U.S Trustee

Investigated over 300 bank accounts to reconcile use of creditors funds with the end goal of assisting unsecured creditors

Prepared and reconciled a list of unsecured claims purchased by investment companies totaling $21 million

Assessed expense reports to identify unnecessary expenses to create a leaner cost structure

Trained on research tools such as Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Pacer, Lexis Nexis and OneSource

IIML is the 4th largest private equity firm in India with over $900 MM in managed funds

Involved in collecting information from key employees and utilized investment knowledge and excel skills in collating confidential fund information to capture and analyze the performance of the 6 funds managed by IIML for an investee

Directly supported the assistant director in preparing key financials metrics of the funds for the investee company

Traded foreign exchange along with other traders using the Burgan platform and worked with the corporate and money market desk to gain knowledge on different derivative tools

Analyzed the Burgan Financial Fund (About $700 MM) and Burgan Equity Fund (About $200 MM) using historical data and past performance to create a pitch book for various investors along with a survey to acknowledge their views

Reviewed financial statements and compiled ratio analysis of the largest technology company in Kuwait for the purpose of valuation, potential value of $50 MM

Conducted research on the automobile financing industry for 4 local establishments affiliated with International firms

Analyzed a financial model for a retail business with the director of the corporate finance department