GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT
Business Today India|March 17, 2024
Bharat K. Sheth, Deputy Chairman & MD of Great Eastern Shipping, took the tough decisions early and that has helped the firm pounce on opportunities when they arise
Krishna Gopalan
GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT

LIKE FOR MANY executives across the world, the Lehman moment in 2008 was a big wake up call for Bharat K. Sheth. "We were always conservative as a company. Lehman taught us we were not conservative enough for Black Swan events and that was a huge learning," says the Deputy Chairman & Managing Director of The Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd.

It was time to get back to the basics, and that meant revisiting the risk model. From a fundamental point of view, it was about defining risk and how to prepare for the unexpected. "Shipping is a very capex-intensive business, and everything hinges on capital allocation. The question is: What is the leverage within which you are willing to play the game," explains Sheth.

A decision to cut back on debt was taken. Interestingly, the company was in very good shape (it had a triple A rating), and this was done proactively. There was a committed capex of $1.6 billion, but banks were understandably nervous, and funding could have become a challenge.

Esta historia es de la edición March 17, 2024 de Business Today India.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 17, 2024 de Business Today India.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BUSINESS TODAY INDIAVer todo
The EV Craze
Business Today India

The EV Craze

The country’s growing luxury car market is seeing a shift with environmentally-conscious consumers betting on electric vehicles as a sustainable travel option. Though just 6%, the share of EVs in the luxury segment is rising rapidly

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
The Storage Boom
Business Today India

The Storage Boom

Data centres are being built at a frenetic pace in india as companies scramble to meet the ballooning demand from mobile phone users and firms adopting al. Can the country’s energy infrastructure keep up?

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
India Beckons
Business Today India

India Beckons

Owing to rising incomes in India and overall wealth expansion, luxury brands are wooing the country like never before

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
The Pearls of The Sea
Business Today India

The Pearls of The Sea

Caviar, that rare food, is considered the epitome of fine dining. Here is everything that you need to know about it

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
66.Brand persona should define the core"
Business Today India

66.Brand persona should define the core"

I’d say this was a strategic pivot. We had an iconic brand, but had, over time, evolved into diversified lines of businesses that could no longer be represented within the confines of our ‘name’.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Unwind in Style
Business Today India

Unwind in Style

Here is acomprehensive list of top tech picks that help you unwind by blending perfection in performance with luxury

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
A Lifelong Affair with Inspiration
Business Today India

A Lifelong Affair with Inspiration

In my art journey, the diversity of my acquisitions mirrored the expanding horizons of my understanding of art

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
Make it Bubbly
Business Today India

Make it Bubbly

Champagne is much more than just a symbol of celebration and success. Know about its nuances beyond the bubbles

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
Palatial Splendour
Business Today India

Palatial Splendour

Buoyed by renewed demand, sales of the glitzy mansions of the ultra-rich are surging like never before. Real estate majors are looking to capitalise on this by launching luxury offerings in record numbers

time-read
7 minutos  |
November 10, 2024
Of Beaches and Cream
Business Today India

Of Beaches and Cream

GianChand Single Malt Whisky

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024