User:Ashishagarwaljiva/sandbox

Ashish Agarwal

Overview

Ashish Agarwal is a seasoned finance professional and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Jiva Agriculture, an AgTech startup backed by Olam International. With over a decade of experience in financial management, digital transformation, and emerging markets, Ashish has held key leadership roles across Africa and Asia, contributing to his expertise in driving financial performance and operational excellence.

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Early Life and Education

Born in India, Ashish Agarwal pursued his Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification, a prestigious professional credential in accounting. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Delhi University. Ashish has further enriched his knowledge through certifications like "Leading and Managing Globally" from Yale School of Management and "Leading through Financial Excellence" from MIT Sloan Executive Education.

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Career

Olam International (2011–2020)

Ashish began his career as a Management Trainee with Olam International in Nigeria. Over the next decade, he rose through the ranks, taking on roles such as Finance Manager and later becoming the CFO and COO of OK Foods Limited, a Nigerian subsidiary of Olam. During his tenure, Ashish managed financial operations in complex and highly regulated environments, spearheading initiatives to enhance financial performance and ensure compliance with local regulations. His achievements included driving digital cost-monitoring systems, implementing SAP, and overseeing business turnaround strategies.

Export Trading Group (2020–2021)

In 2020, Ashish transitioned to Zimbabwe to serve as the CFO of an edible oil company under Export Trading Group. He successfully navigated a volatile currency regime, overhauled IT infrastructure, and raised funds through private placements to improve cost efficiency.

Jiva Agriculture (2021–Present)

Ashish joined Jiva Agriculture, an AgTech startup, as its CFO in May 2021. Based in Indonesia, he has been instrumental in building robust finance and data teams, automating financial processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Leading a team of 50 across Finance, Data, IT, and Legal, Ashish has driven key initiatives like transitioning to digital data capture systems, leveraging AI for analytics, and establishing risk management frameworks. His efforts align with Jiva’s mission to empower smallholder farmers through transformative technology.

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Notable Achievements

• **Digital Transformation:** Successfully led automation of financial processes, resulting in significant operational efficiency.
• **Business Turnaround:** Orchestrated multiple turnaround strategies, including SKU rationalization and cost-saving measures, leading to profitability improvements.
• **Leadership in Emerging Markets:** Navigated complex financial landscapes in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia, delivering double-digit growth.
• **Awards & Recognitions:**

 * International Award of Excellence in Execution (2013, Singapore).
 * Leadership Award for Finance Controllers (2018, India).
 * Shared Value Award for contributions to Procurement & Supply Chain (2018, Nigeria).
 * Business Partnering Award for turning a company profitable (2019, Nigeria).

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Speaking Engagements

Ashish has shared insights on topics like financial inclusion, embedded finance, and the future of payments at international conferences. Highlights include:

• Keynote address at the KL Global CFO & Finance Transformation 2024 event.
• Panel discussions featured in [The Finance Story](https://thefinancestory.com/indian-chartered-accountant-moved-abroad-cfo-under-30).
• [LinkedIn updates](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7198207168418897923/) showcasing his contributions to AgTech and digital transformation.
• [YouTube session](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJhLCZjSjjY) on leadership in emerging markets.

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Personal Life

Currently based in Indonesia, Ashish lives with his family and enjoys staying active through running, badminton, and strength training. He is also involved in community initiatives, such as starting running classes for children and adults in his residential complex.

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External Links

• [Jiva Agriculture Website](https://www.jiva.ag)
• [Olam International Website](https://www.olamgroup.com)

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References

1. Coverage of Ashish’s role at Jiva and speaking engagements in financial publications. 2. Interviews and articles featuring Ashish’s insights on financial transformation.