The Founders of Aspire are veterans of the Education, Training, IT&ITES industry, and have been associated with knowledge services, information technology and procurement off shoring since 1995. They have held senior leadership positions at leading management consultancies and retail chains across the world, and one has had a successful academic career. By virtue of their previous experience, they have been exposed to the talent crunch. Keeping this in mind, the Founders have put together an outstanding management team of industry specialists.
Amit Bhatia, Founder and CEO, Aspire
Amit has 20 years of management experience and till recently served as CEO of WNS Knowledge Services which he built to a 1200-strong operation. Amit was part of the Leadership Team which listed WNS on NYSE in 2006. Prior to WNS, Amit served as the Founding Country Manager for FreeMarkets, Inc. leading its supply chain consulting business & offshore development centre in India and knowledge management globally. FreeMarkets had a record $10 billion listing on NASDAQ in 1999. Most notably, Amit conceived, founded and led the McKinsey Knowledge Center in New Delhi, the consulting firm’s global research centre, serving over 80 McKinsey offices worldwide. He has also held analytic and research positions at American Express and a domestic brokerage firm. Amit has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University and Master’s Degree in Commerce from Delhi School of Economics. He is also a qualified Cost & Works Accountant. Amit is a Trustee of The Aspen Institute India, an India Leadership Initiative Fellow of The Aspen Institute, Charter Member of TIE; on CII’s National Committees for Primary Education, Higher Education and Skills; Life Member of NHRDN and Chair/Co-Chair of Academia-Industry and Skills Development Committees of EPSI.
Amit has 20 years of management experience and till recently served as CEO of WNS Knowledge Services which he built to a 1200-strong operation. Amit was part of the Leadership Team which listed WNS on NYSE in 2006. Prior to WNS, Amit served as the Founding Country Manager for FreeMarkets, Inc. leading its supply chain consulting business & offshore development centre in India and knowledge management globally. FreeMarkets had a record $10 billion listing on NASDAQ in 1999. Most notably, Amit conceived, founded and led the McKinsey Knowledge Center in New Delhi, the consulting firm’s global research centre, serving over 80 McKinsey offices worldwide. He has also held analytic and research positions at American Express and a domestic brokerage firm. Amit has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University and Master’s Degree in Commerce from Delhi School of Economics. He is also a qualified Cost & Works Accountant. Amit is a Trustee of The Aspen Institute India, an India Leadership Initiative Fellow of The Aspen Institute, Charter Member of TIE; on CII’s National Committees for Primary Education, Higher Education and Skills; Life Member of NHRDN and Chair/Co-Chair of Academia-Industry and Skills Development Committees of EPSI.
Pavan Mahajan , Chief Revenue Officer, Aspire
Pavan has over 16 years of management experience. His most recent assignment was with BELDEN INC, were he headed their Enterprise business in India & SAARC. Prior to this, Pavan was the Director Sales & Marketing at ATM Fibrecom Pvt. Ltd. ATM an IT Infrastructure company was founded by him and thereafter become a part of ABS India (Formerly known as Alcatel Business Systems). A Chartered Accountant by qualification, he worked with HB Portfolio leasing Ltd., after completing his articles from Price Waterhouse. Pavan has been a visiting faculty in Management schools, apart from being a patron of education himself.
Pavan has over 16 years of management experience. His most recent assignment was with BELDEN INC, were he headed their Enterprise business in India & SAARC. Prior to this, Pavan was the Director Sales & Marketing at ATM Fibrecom Pvt. Ltd. ATM an IT Infrastructure company was founded by him and thereafter become a part of ABS India (Formerly known as Alcatel Business Systems). A Chartered Accountant by qualification, he worked with HB Portfolio leasing Ltd., after completing his articles from Price Waterhouse. Pavan has been a visiting faculty in Management schools, apart from being a patron of education himself.
Prabhakar Naidu, VP-Sales
Prabhakar Naidu has 20 years of experience in handling SBU’s, Sales & Marketing, HR, Branch Management, with the best companies in the industry at vivid market conditions, spread across India. His career objective is to build & establish excellent business organizations that can give career and life to aspiring personnel. Prabhakar is currently working as VP In charge of sales in south and central, Prior to Aspire was working as SBU Head, Everonn Education Limited, Chennai (College Initiatives). In the last three years he has built the college division from a modest 200 plus POP’s to 1600 plus POP’s. Prior to Everonn, Prabhakar has served as the Country Head, Trans Resource Management Services, wherein he has established two new verticals in Manpower placements and outsourcing. Prabhakar has worked with Exxon Mobil, Bharath Shell, Philips, Digicontrols and ICS. Prabhakar has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Hons) from Indian Institute of Management and Commerce, Hyderabad, and an EMBA from NIBM Chennai.
Prabhakar Naidu has 20 years of experience in handling SBU’s, Sales & Marketing, HR, Branch Management, with the best companies in the industry at vivid market conditions, spread across India. His career objective is to build & establish excellent business organizations that can give career and life to aspiring personnel. Prabhakar is currently working as VP In charge of sales in south and central, Prior to Aspire was working as SBU Head, Everonn Education Limited, Chennai (College Initiatives). In the last three years he has built the college division from a modest 200 plus POP’s to 1600 plus POP’s. Prior to Everonn, Prabhakar has served as the Country Head, Trans Resource Management Services, wherein he has established two new verticals in Manpower placements and outsourcing. Prabhakar has worked with Exxon Mobil, Bharath Shell, Philips, Digicontrols and ICS. Prabhakar has a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Hons) from Indian Institute of Management and Commerce, Hyderabad, and an EMBA from NIBM Chennai.
Sagar Hawaldar, VP-Sales
Sagar has over 14 years of experience. Prior to Aspire, Sagar was CEO of Exxon Holding Group heading the solutions, services and consulting business. Before that he spent close to 5 years with Dimensions Corporation as group Vice President where he headed the group’s solutions business in India and Middle East. Sagar came to India in 2004 as Country Manager of Airtricity Holdings – Ireland’s wind energy giant (acquired by Scottish and Southern Energy in 2008) where he headed the firm’s India strategy. Early years of his career were spent in the US when he managed International Operations of Hot Voice Communications. Sagar holds MBA from University College Dublin, Ireland and BE (Computer Science) from University of Mumbai.
Sagar has over 14 years of experience. Prior to Aspire, Sagar was CEO of Exxon Holding Group heading the solutions, services and consulting business. Before that he spent close to 5 years with Dimensions Corporation as group Vice President where he headed the group’s solutions business in India and Middle East. Sagar came to India in 2004 as Country Manager of Airtricity Holdings – Ireland’s wind energy giant (acquired by Scottish and Southern Energy in 2008) where he headed the firm’s India strategy. Early years of his career were spent in the US when he managed International Operations of Hot Voice Communications. Sagar holds MBA from University College Dublin, Ireland and BE (Computer Science) from University of Mumbai.
John K Philip, VP-Sales
John has over fifteen years’ experience in Education Management, Sales and Marketing. During this period he has worked on promoting various international English Language learning/ assessment programmes; Distance/ eLearning and Blended learning programmes in India. At Aspire, John will lead the Sales team in north India. John’s most recent assignment was with Pearson as South Asia Regional Director for their Language Testing division. There he set up a dynamic Sales team and successfully launched the new Pearson Test of English (Academic) across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan & Nepal. Prior to Pearson, John worked with organisations like IDP Education Australia, the British Council Division of the British High Commission in Delhi and LIQVID eLearning Services. John believes that English and technology enhanced Education hold the keys to success for the youth in India. John holds a Masters degree in English Literature from the Delhi University.
John has over fifteen years’ experience in Education Management, Sales and Marketing. During this period he has worked on promoting various international English Language learning/ assessment programmes; Distance/ eLearning and Blended learning programmes in India. At Aspire, John will lead the Sales team in north India. John’s most recent assignment was with Pearson as South Asia Regional Director for their Language Testing division. There he set up a dynamic Sales team and successfully launched the new Pearson Test of English (Academic) across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan & Nepal. Prior to Pearson, John worked with organisations like IDP Education Australia, the British Council Division of the British High Commission in Delhi and LIQVID eLearning Services. John believes that English and technology enhanced Education hold the keys to success for the youth in India. John holds a Masters degree in English Literature from the Delhi University.
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