Puneet Batra

I joined the RBG OR&G unit (1st line of defense within the business group) as a controls and risk specialist. • Upon my joining, I set clear objectives for first 100 days at Mashreq and delivered on all of these and more.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements:
• Initiated Risk profiling for Mashreq Neo, a fintech themed Digital Bank within Mashreq. Presented inherent risk analysis and residual risk analysis results to the Head of Business. Devised action items along with the channel managers and tracking for resolution.
• Initiated review project for Risk and Control Self-Assessment grids across the group with an objective of revamping the entire RCSA framework to reflect the risk profile of each of the business unit and channels.
• Volunteered to take over the process of managing and monitoring the negative balances in CASA balances. Reconciled and reduced the group’s negative balance monthly provisions from ~AED 10 Mio to ~AED 5.6 Mio. Designed the monitoring process and requirements submitted to Tech for revamped report.
• Providing a detailed framework for mitigating risks within the division that enables all activities to take place in a consistent and controlled manner in compliance with internal policies, regulatory and legal guidelines.

Awards & Accolades:
• Bestowed with CEO award for being Role Model in Values - 2013, 2014 and 2015
• Recognized for exceeding expectations and consistently ranked as “Exceptional Performance” and “Very Good Performance” in Annual Performance Management.

Designation Chronology:
• Sept 2014 - Present: Head of Internal Controls and Quality, Operations
• Jan 2012-Aug 2014: Manager Internal Control Unit
• Nov 2009- Dec2011: Deputy Manager ICU
• Jun 2008 - Oct 2009: Assistant Manager - Business Continuity Planning
• May 2006 - Jun 2008: Associate Consultant

Joined the bank as Assistant Manager - Business Continuity Planning and moved up the corporate ladder to merit promotion to the position of Head of Internal Controls and Quality, Operations

Highlights- Head of Internal Controls and Quality, Operations:
• Donned multiple hats and handled several progressive responsibilities including decision making, vendor management, performance and people management, process improvement etc.
• Played a vital role in obtaining ISO 9001:2015 and implementing it in Operations department. Pivotal in installing multiple continuous improvement and Lean initiatives backed by process amendments, automation and system changes.
• Designated as Representative of Operations in Operational Risk Committee (chaired by Chief Risk Officer) to lead development of operational risk framework and present analysis of program results to Operational Risk Committee.
• Leader of unit managing the reconciliation of Nostro Accounts, ATM / CCDM / Cash in Transit and Central Bank Account as well as Cash in Transit Services.
• Significant contributor in developing the framework, governance and program documentation related to Reconciliation and Investigations Automation Project. Charged with end-to-end project responsibilities beginning with Business Requirement Document preparation, Functional Specifications finalization and customization, Vendor Evaluation and UAT etc.

Key Responsibilities- Head of Internal Controls and Quality, Operations:
• Deploying robust internal Control framework for compliance with sound and prudent practices; clearly defined accountabilities; structured processes with detailed manuals; streamlined documentation, SLA’s and enhanced MIS.
• Providing a framework for mitigating operational risk within the organization that enables future activity to take place in a consistent and controlled manner in compliance with internal policies, regulatory and legal guidelines.
• Establishing comprehensive processes to cover all accounting, compliance, operational, custodial and control activities including Risk Assessment and Risk Scoring matrices, Departmental Control Function Checklists, Departmental Policies etc.
• Instrumental in carrying out process control reviews across Operations and Branch Operations and achieved excellent internal audit ratings.
• Transforming RCSA and KRI process, reflecting the current and comprehensive risk profile of all Operations Units and Branches.
• Providing strategic inputs to outsourcing and offshoring Operations processes and supporting the seamless migration of key processing activities in Operations to offshore resulting in process efficiency, scalability and cost saving.
• Entrusted with the responsibility of mentoring and grooming of Emirati Management Associates in the division by imparting requisite skills and working knowledge under a structured learning program. Won appreciation from executive management for sincere efforts and contribution towards Emiratisation.

Highlights:
• Performed Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis across all the departments in the bank to determine the effect of an interruption of services on each business unit and the organization as a whole

Key Responsibilities:
• Developed well defined business continuity program which comprises of policies and procedures with clearly defined roles, responsibilities and ownership for crisis management, emergency response, business recovery and it disaster recovery planning.
• Liaised extensively with IT, Admin and Safety & Security Departments to ensure business recovery and incorporate changes to environment, people, process and technology.
• Carried out regular drills and tests to cover all aspects of the Business Continuity Plan including on-going staff raining on fire drills evacuation and reporting procedures.
• Continuously worked towards strengthening the business continuity preparedness of the Bank keeping in mind recovery time objectives and recovery point objectives.
• Ensured each and every staff/vendor/stakeholder is aware of BCP framework of bank to resume business and operations to an acceptable level within a reasonable time in the event of a disaster.
• Recorded all technology failures and incidents for continuous process improvement and provision of lesson learnt training to staff.
• Designed comprehensive Intranet Site repository of all the relevant BCM and Control documents to oversee re-establishment and continuation of business processes pursuant to the BCP.

Key Projects Executed:
Development of BCM Framework - Part of the overall Information Security Management Standard project (Telecom Operator)

Project Responsibilities:
• Lead the BCM team and developed a roadmap for continuing operations under adverse conditions with regards to the major risks that are inherent to business activities.
• Provided full support for executing business continuity plans Charter Development, Resource Requirement and Effort Estimation etc. in addition to standard BCM deliverables like Gap Analysis, Business Impact Analysis, the BCM Governance Policy, Procedure, Crisis management Plan etc.
• Educated staff through knowledge sharing and maintained a repository of documents on internal portal of Wipro for future reference and avoidance of similar business disruptions.

Development and Implementation of BCM Framework (ITeS Company)
Project Responsibilities:
• Planned ahead to minimize the impact of crisis on business through detailed business impact assessments and appropriate business continuity strategies covering BCM Governance Policy, Procedure, Crisis management Plan, Damage Assessment Procedure, Recovery strategies and Manual Workaround procedures.
• Established strong mechanism to strengthen the control of complex risk profiles and provide more informed and assured basis for decision-making.

Development and Implementation of ERM Framework (ITeS Company)
Project Responsibilities:
• Identified and prioritized business processes and dependencies (BIA & Risk assessment), including critical applications and ensure recovery solutions work before an actual event and problem areas.
• Suggested policies for risk identification, level risk mitigation, periodic risk inventory updates, and other factors.