Latest news with #ShajiVarghese
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Mind Over Money: From Mt. Everest Base Camp to boardroom - Shaji Varghese on fitness as a foundation for leadership
Q) Thanks for taking the time out. How many marathons have you completed and is this one of the way you keep yourself mentally fit day in and day out? Live Events Q) You even trekked to Everest Base Camp. What drives your commitment to physical fitness, and how has it shaped your leadership journey? Q) How do you prepare—physically and mentally—for endurance events like the TATA Mumbai Marathon or high-altitude treks? Q) What does your typical wellness or fitness routine look like during a busy work week? Q) You've implemented wellness-focused initiatives like the Muthoot Health Triangle and Diversity Club. What inspired you to make wellness a leadership priority? Q) You've curated a physical library in the office with impactful titles. Why is fostering a learning culture important to you? Q) Among the books you've recently read—such as Atomic Habits and Thinking in Systems—which one has had the biggest influence on your approach to leadership and why? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel In an era where boardroom stress and relentless schedules often sideline personal wellness, Shaji Varghese , CEO of Muthoot FinCorp , offers a refreshing perspective — one where fitness fuels focus, and discipline off the track drives decision-making at the over three dozen marathons under his belt and an unforgettable trek to the Everest Base Camp, Shaji isn't just running for physical health — he's running to stay grounded, self-aware, and sharp as a this candid conversation for our Mind Over Money segment, he shares how his journey through endurance sports, habit-building, and wellness initiatives has shaped not only his leadership style but also the culture he champions at Muthoot FinCorp. Edited Excerpts –Running has been a transformative experience for me, with over three dozen marathons under my belt in the past 3-4 years, including two full me, running is a form of meditation – a chance to connect with myself and reflect. While it's a group activity, marathons remind me that ultimately, I'm running my own my passion for running has been a catalyst for positive change, helping me develop healthier habits and a more organized lifestyle.I've started prioritizing early sleep and nutritious eating, and I've become more mindful of my overall well-being. Running has taught me discipline and self-awareness, and I'm grateful for the impact it's had on my to physical fitness taught me the power of habits. Small, consistent progress can have a profound impact over time. When I started running, completing a 42km marathon seemed by focusing on tiny, incremental gains – just 1% improvement each week – I achieved remarkable progress. Consistent training and dedication paid off on my Everest Base Camp trek, where I pushed my limits and achieved new principle applies beyond fitness: setting realistic goals and making gradual improvements can lead to significant a person, I've learned to prioritize my own growth and accountability. Health is a personal responsibility, while my job is a means to fulfil my larger life prioritizing my physical well-being, I've been able to prevent lifestyle diseases and maintain a balanced personal and professional discipline I've developed through running has been invaluable, allowing me to achieve more and live a more purposeful has become second nature to me. For long marathons, I make sure to log at least 35 km in the preceding days to prepare for the 42 km challenge. High-altitude treks are a testament to the endurance built over year was fulfilling, as I achieved three personal goals: participating in the Tata Mumbai Marathon, running kilometres equal to my age on my birthday, and completing the Everest Base Camp diving, para gliding, ice skating, wild life safari, hot air balloon ride, experiencing Northern Lights are few others I have crossed off my list.I'm excited to pursue more aspirations this year. I am thrilled to share that I look forward to running the full marathon at the Athens Marathon in November 2025 - crossing the historic Panathenaic Stadium of Athens will be an unforgettable I plan to explore deep sea water swimming this year along with a run at the Ladakh marathon if all goes well.I prioritize staying active every day. My weekly routine includes long-distance running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and one weekend day, which helps me build endurance and challenge Wednesdays and Fridays, I focus on stretch exercises, mobility, or flexibility workouts to maintain flexibility and prevent injuries. Exercise isn't just about physical health; it's also a great way to clear my mind and boost making time for physical activity, I'm able to tackle my work responsibilities with more enthusiasm and efficiency, while also enjoying a better work-life balance.I firmly believe that life itself is the most precious thing we have, and good physical and mental health is crucial for overall happiness is intricately linked to personal happiness – it's challenging to compartmentalize joy and work-life balance means finding happiness in both your professional and personal life, effortlessly navigating between the two, and feeling eager to be in both places.I think organizations play a vital role in fostering a healthy work environment. When colleagues prioritize their health, it benefits not only themselves but also the organization and society as a whole.I must credit Muthoot Fincorp for the Muthoot Health Triangle (MHT) initiative - a significant milestone for Muthootians promoting physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being for Muthootians; and I encourage my people to be part of the MHT initiatives ensuring their holistic promoting well-being, organizations can unlock their people's full potential, drive growth, and contribute to a healthier, more productive communityIn today's rapidly changing world, continuous learning is essential for survival and growth. By upgrading our skills and knowledge, we not only enhance our own productivity but also contribute to the organization's high-quality books is an excellent way to broaden our perspectives and improve our library is designed to support this pursuit of knowledge, with carefully curated books that will benefit our Muthootians, organization, and the wider prioritize knowledge acquisition, recognizing that it's a key driver of progress. We encourage Muthootians to utilize their time effectively by reading and learning, rather than getting caught up in non-productive activities. By putting knowledge first, we can stay ahead of the curve and achieve our both books are good, my recent favorite book is 'The Courage to Be Disliked' by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. This book has been a catalyst for self-discovery, helping me gain valuable insights into my own thoughts and has profoundly impacted my leadership journey, broadened my perspective and helped me in informed books, I've developed a more nuanced understanding of life and leadership, enabling me to approach challenges with greater clarity and me say that books and reading have had a profound impact on my life as a whole, and am sure it will continue to do so.: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mind Over Money: From Mt. Everest Base Camp to boardroom - Shaji Varghese on fitness as a foundation for leadership
Shaji Varghese, CEO of Muthoot FinCorp, integrates fitness into his leadership, completing numerous marathons and trekking to Everest Base Camp. He emphasizes habit-building and wellness, which have shaped his leadership style and company culture. Varghese promotes initiatives like the Muthoot Health Triangle and fosters a learning environment through a curated library, highlighting the importance of continuous growth and well-being. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Q) Thanks for taking the time out. How many marathons have you completed and is this one of the way you keep yourself mentally fit day in and day out? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Q) You even trekked to Everest Base Camp. What drives your commitment to physical fitness, and how has it shaped your leadership journey? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Q) How do you prepare—physically and mentally—for endurance events like the TATA Mumbai Marathon or high-altitude treks? Q) What does your typical wellness or fitness routine look like during a busy work week? Q) You've implemented wellness-focused initiatives like the Muthoot Health Triangle and Diversity Club. What inspired you to make wellness a leadership priority? Q) You've curated a physical library in the office with impactful titles. Why is fostering a learning culture important to you? Q) Among the books you've recently read—such as Atomic Habits and Thinking in Systems—which one has had the biggest influence on your approach to leadership and why? In an era where boardroom stress and relentless schedules often sideline personal wellness, Shaji Varghese , CEO of Muthoot FinCorp , offers a refreshing perspective — one where fitness fuels focus, and discipline off the track drives decision-making at the over three dozen marathons under his belt and an unforgettable trek to the Everest Base Camp, Shaji isn't just running for physical health — he's running to stay grounded, self-aware, and sharp as a this candid conversation for our Mind Over Money segment, he shares how his journey through endurance sports, habit-building, and wellness initiatives has shaped not only his leadership style but also the culture he champions at Muthoot FinCorp. Edited Excerpts –Running has been a transformative experience for me, with over three dozen marathons under my belt in the past 3-4 years, including two full me, running is a form of meditation – a chance to connect with myself and reflect. While it's a group activity, marathons remind me that ultimately, I'm running my own my passion for running has been a catalyst for positive change, helping me develop healthier habits and a more organized lifestyle.I've started prioritizing early sleep and nutritious eating, and I've become more mindful of my overall well-being. Running has taught me discipline and self-awareness, and I'm grateful for the impact it's had on my to physical fitness taught me the power of habits. Small, consistent progress can have a profound impact over time. When I started running, completing a 42km marathon seemed by focusing on tiny, incremental gains – just 1% improvement each week – I achieved remarkable progress. Consistent training and dedication paid off on my Everest Base Camp trek, where I pushed my limits and achieved new principle applies beyond fitness: setting realistic goals and making gradual improvements can lead to significant a person, I've learned to prioritize my own growth and accountability. Health is a personal responsibility, while my job is a means to fulfil my larger life prioritizing my physical well-being, I've been able to prevent lifestyle diseases and maintain a balanced personal and professional discipline I've developed through running has been invaluable, allowing me to achieve more and live a more purposeful has become second nature to me. For long marathons, I make sure to log at least 35 km in the preceding days to prepare for the 42 km challenge. High-altitude treks are a testament to the endurance built over year was fulfilling, as I achieved three personal goals: participating in the Tata Mumbai Marathon, running kilometres equal to my age on my birthday, and completing the Everest Base Camp diving, para gliding, ice skating, wild life safari, hot air balloon ride, experiencing Northern Lights are few others I have crossed off my list.I'm excited to pursue more aspirations this year. I am thrilled to share that I look forward to running the full marathon at the Athens Marathon in November 2025 - crossing the historic Panathenaic Stadium of Athens will be an unforgettable I plan to explore deep sea water swimming this year along with a run at the Ladakh marathon if all goes well.I prioritize staying active every day. My weekly routine includes long-distance running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and one weekend day, which helps me build endurance and challenge Wednesdays and Fridays, I focus on stretch exercises, mobility, or flexibility workouts to maintain flexibility and prevent injuries. Exercise isn't just about physical health; it's also a great way to clear my mind and boost making time for physical activity, I'm able to tackle my work responsibilities with more enthusiasm and efficiency, while also enjoying a better work-life balance.I firmly believe that life itself is the most precious thing we have, and good physical and mental health is crucial for overall happiness is intricately linked to personal happiness – it's challenging to compartmentalize joy and work-life balance means finding happiness in both your professional and personal life, effortlessly navigating between the two, and feeling eager to be in both places.I think organizations play a vital role in fostering a healthy work environment. When colleagues prioritize their health, it benefits not only themselves but also the organization and society as a whole.I must credit Muthoot Fincorp for the Muthoot Health Triangle MHT ) initiative - a significant milestone for Muthootians promoting physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being for Muthootians; and I encourage my people to be part of the MHT initiatives ensuring their holistic promoting well-being, organizations can unlock their people's full potential, drive growth, and contribute to a healthier, more productive communityIn today's rapidly changing world, continuous learning is essential for survival and growth. By upgrading our skills and knowledge, we not only enhance our own productivity but also contribute to the organization's high-quality books is an excellent way to broaden our perspectives and improve our library is designed to support this pursuit of knowledge, with carefully curated books that will benefit our Muthootians, organization, and the wider prioritize knowledge acquisition, recognizing that it's a key driver of progress. We encourage Muthootians to utilize their time effectively by reading and learning, rather than getting caught up in non-productive activities. By putting knowledge first, we can stay ahead of the curve and achieve our both books are good, my recent favorite book is 'The Courage to Be Disliked' by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. This book has been a catalyst for self-discovery, helping me gain valuable insights into my own thoughts and has profoundly impacted my leadership journey, broadened my perspective and helped me in informed books, I've developed a more nuanced understanding of life and leadership, enabling me to approach challenges with greater clarity and me say that books and reading have had a profound impact on my life as a whole, and am sure it will continue to do so.: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Muthoot Fin to mobilise Rs 350 cr via NCDs
HyderabadL: Muthoot FinCorp Ltd (MFL), the flagship company of the 138-year-old Muthoot Pappachan Group (Muthoot Blue), has announced the launch of the Tranche V series of secured and redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) with a face value of Rs1,000 each, scheduled for issuance on April 29, 2025 and will be open to the public till May 13, 2025, subject to early closure upon approval from the Board of Directors or the Stock Allotment Committee of the Company, and in accordance with applicable regulations under Regulation 33A of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021, as amended (SEBI NCS Regulations). Shaji Varghese, CEO, Muthoot FinCorp Ltd, said: 'We are pleased to announce the launch of our new NCD series, offering investors a secure and high-yield investment opportunity. Participation is made seamless through our extensive network of over 3,700 branches, our mobile app - Muthoot FinCorp ONE, for investments up to `5 lakhs and through partner network.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BankBazaar raises Rs 55 crore; enters gold loan business with Muthoot Fincorp
Alongside the investment, Muthoot Fincorp has also partnered with BankBazaar in the gold loan business, allowing the online loan sourcing platform to enter secured lending. 'Customers will enquire about gold loans through BankBazaar and will eventually be serviced through our 3,700-branch network,' said Shaji Varghese, chief executive officer of Muthoot Fincorp. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Loan sourcing platform BankBazaar has raised Rs 55 crore in fresh funding from a group of investors, including gold loan company Muthoot Fincorp and existing backers such as Walden International. The funding was at a flat valuation of approximately Rs 1,700 crore ($200 million) for Fincorp pitched in with Rs 15 crore in this round. Speaking to ET, Adhil Shetty, cofounder of BankBazaar, said the investment is an extension of its previous funding round from December 2023.'The round hasn't closed yet; we're keeping our options open... The credit card distribution business has helped us grow, but overall it has been a tough funding environment,' Shetty said. BankBazaar offers a co-branded credit card with private sector lender Yes Bank BankBazaar has not filed its financials since FY24 and had last reported Rs 160 crore in revenue in FY23, according to data from Tracxn. Shetty said the company has grown its revenue at a compound annual growth rate of 46%, but did not disclose exact the investment, Muthoot Fincorp has also partnered with BankBazaar in the gold loan business, allowing the online loan sourcing platform to enter secured lending 'Customers will enquire about gold loans through BankBazaar and will eventually be serviced through our 3,700-branch network,' said Shaji Varghese, chief executive officer of Muthoot Fincorp. 'As we expand operations, collaborating with BankBazaar will help us identify new demand centres and plan our expansion accordingly.'Chennai-headquartered BankBazaar competes with PB Fintech-owned Paisabazaar, both being digital platforms sourcing unsecured consumer loans and credit gold loans, BankBazaar enters the secured lending space—a long-term goal for fintechs that have struggled to scale consumer lending amid regulatory by the likes of Amazon, Peak XV Partners and Eight Roads Ventures, BankBazaar—founded in 2008—has raised approximately $167 million. It last secured a major equity infusion of $30 million in 2017; since then, the company has largely raised smaller tranches across multiple rounds.
