V Rama Manohara Rao, Director Finance, Railtel, The Growth Driver
V Rama Manohara Rao, Director, Finance at RailTel Corporation, has been instrumental in challenging boundaries and fostering a growth mindset within the organisation
Through deep-dive business strategy discussions with stakeholders, he framed medium- and long-term strategies, piloted strategic decisions and implemented growth policies endorsed by the Board of Directors.
Under Rao’s leadership, RailTel saw a remarkable 23 per cent year-over-year turnover growth from FY22 to FY23 and a 38 per cent increase in the first nine months of FY 23-24. His initiatives led to the speedy finalisation of quarterly and annual financial results, saving man-days and maintaining an order book worth Rs 4,800 crore. Furthermore, RailTel onboarded 75 new business associates and received nil CAG comments for FY23, alongside achieving an accurate budget forecast.
Rao’s strategic decisions facilitated new business in ICT projects, railway signal projects and international tie-ups, notably with IITs for technical expertise. This resulted in a 44 per cent reduction in the working capital cycle, enhancing liquidity. Despite falling tariffs in the telecom sector, Rao’s approach of combining ICT projects with telecom and data centre services bolstered RailTel’s turnover and order book.
By establishing strategic tie-ups, supporting policy engagement with OEMs and leading critical projects, Rao has enhanced RailTel’s market position overall.
