Mani Padmanabhan

Backstory

A Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner and ISB alumnus, Mani’s career spans over two decades of leadership across some of India’s most respected corporations. From Vodafone and Coca-Cola to Dr. Reddy’s, he has led finance, governance, assurance, compliance and strategic planning functions, shaping how large organisations manage risk, capital and growth.

After years of leading finance in high-intensity, high-scale environments, Mani expanded into a consulting and advisory role - driven by the desire to apply his multi-sector experience to businesses that require sharper direction, stronger governance, or financial restructuring.

As a Partner at CFO Bridge and through his independent directorship and advisory roles, he supports organisations across technology, IoT, pharma, aviation, green energy, ed-tech and professional services. His work ranges from business modelling and investor-readiness to board advisory, turnaround programs, debt restructuring, and insolvency-related guidance.

He is also an author, with his book Decoding Risk Management featured internationally, and his articles widely published across global governance and anti-fraud forums.

Across every role, Mani’s signature strength is his ability to simplify the complex—bringing order, transparency and accountability to financial systems that directly influence organisational resilience and long-term value creation.

Mani's Operating Edge

Mani blends deep financial expertise with strong governance and multi-sector leadership, helping organisations strengthen their foundations and execute with confidence. His core strengths include:

• Building financial models, projections and investor-readiness frameworks

• Strengthening governance, risk and compliance systems

• Leading turnaround, restructuring and insolvency-related efforts

• Optimising capital structure, tax positions and cash flows

• Improving working capital and financial discipline

• Providing virtual/part-time CFO support for growing companies

• Guiding leadership and boards on financial strategy and oversight

His impact spans FMCG, telecom, life sciences, technology, IoT, pharma SMEs, green energy and professional services—helping businesses gain clarity, stability and disciplined growth.

What Drives Me

Mani is motivated by businesses that aspire to grow but need stronger financial clarity, governance discipline or structured decision-making.

His drive is to help organisations make sound financial decisions, build lasting governance systems, and enhance confidence across leadership and boards.