Chandani Kotai
Abu Dhabi- Golden Visa,UAE
Summary
Finance and strategy leader with 15+ years of UAE-anchored experience building finance functions from inception, driving IPO readiness, and delivering measurable bottom-line impact across Yachting, Defence, Oil & Gas, FMCG, and Shipping sectors. Known for board-level governance, ADGM and ADX regulatory expertise, and leading high-performing teams across 35+ countries. Recognized as the Most Inspiring Finance Woman 2023 by Berkeley Middle East.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work history
Finance director
Damen Middle East
2024.07 - 2026.06
- Architected the corporate holding structure across the Middle East, optimizing tax efficiency, capital repatriation, and governance frameworks for multi-jurisdictional entities.
- Directed and ensured full compliance with statutory, legal, and regulatory obligations across all regional entities, aligning with IFRS, VAT, ESR, and AML requirements.
- Designed and implemented standardized business processes and policies across Finance, HR, Legal, and Compliance, enhancing operational efficiency and risk control.
- Established core departments including Finance, HR, Legal, and Compliance—from the ground up, leading recruitment, policy creation, and team development to build a strong operational foundation across the region.
- Partnered with Group entities in the Netherlands and Singapore to align financial reporting, transfer pricing, and taxation frameworks under international legal and compliance standards.
- Led ERP implementation across the Middle East business units, integrating financial consolidation, multi-currency reporting, and workflow automation to improve decision-making and transparency.
Group Head of Strategic Finance
Al Seer Marine Supplies & Equipment Company PJSC
2018.09 - 2024.09
- Scaled the Finance division from inception to a 25-member team managing centralised operations for 25+ subsidiaries across Yachting, Commercial Shipping, and Defence & Technology covering reporting, treasury, audits, and regulatory compliance.
- Headed financial governance and regulatory compliance across the Group, ensuring adherence to IFRS, corporate tax regulations, ADX listing requirements, and global accounting standards.
- Played a key leadership role in the company's transition from Royal Group to IHC subsidiary, driving financial and legal due diligence, and strengthening corporate controls ahead of the IPO process.
- Partnered with senior management to shape strategic financial policy, optimize treasury management, and ensure stakeholder confidence through transparent reporting and disciplined fiscal oversight.
- Supervised a team of finance professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment focused on continuous improvement and professional development.
- Led ERP with operational system implementation for new ventures.
- Collaborated with senior leadership on investment decisions and risk assessments.
- Secured favourable financing terms through strong relationships with banks and other lending institutions, supporting company growth initiatives.
- Successfully managed multiple audits, ensuring a timely and accurate completion while maintaining positive relationships with external auditors.
Finance Controller
EMOCHEM, UAE - Joint Venture of Ecolab (US listed) & AL Mansoori Specialized Engineering
2015.01 - 2018.08
- Oversaw end-to-end Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Treasury Operations across MENA, aligning 5-year strategic plans with global finance teams, managing multi-currency cash flows and hedging with the US Group Treasury, and ensuring full Compliance and Reporting under US GAAP with Big 4 audit oversight.
- Reduced month-end closing time by implementing efficient reconciliation processes and procedures.
- Established efficient payroll processes that ensured timely payment of salaries while maintaining compliance with all relevant labor laws.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with banks, investors, and other financial partners to ensure optimal financing options.
Group Finance Executive
Al Nasser Holdings
- Oversaw group-level subsidiary reporting and financial analysis, supporting Corporate Investment Function through performance insights, consolidation, and strategic decision support.
Finance Manager
Mirah Group of Companies (Citrus Hotels)
Finance Manager
Siddhi Group of Companies
Industrial Training
K.V.Bhat & Co. Chartered Accountants
- Conducted multiple Audits at large corporates, E&Y Assignments
Education
Chartered Accountant (FCA) - Fellow Member
ICAI
IndiaChartered Accountant (ACA) - Business Finance Professional (BFP)
ICAEW
UKChartered Accountant, CA, CPA - Chartered Accountant
Ireland
UAEBachelors in Commerce - Commerce
University of Mumbai
IndiaSkills
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Reporting
- Team Leadership & Change Management
- Cash flow, Treasury & Working Capital Management
- Cost & Profitability Analysis with Margin Optimization
- ERP Implementation
- Process Improvement & Optimization
- IFRS US GAAP Corporate Tax
- Audit & Risk Management
- ADX & Legal Frameworks
- Stakeholder Management
Other Accolades
- Awarded as ''THE MOST INSPIRING FINANCE WOMAN 2023'' - Berkeley Middle East
- Merger & Acquisitions Training, RedCliffe UK
- Business Valuation Masterclass, by Aswath Damodaran
- Won the Young Talent Search 2005, Mumbai India
Key Achievements
- Established the full Finance function from zero - FP&A, Treasury, Reporting, Tax, and Internal Controls — reducing reporting cycle by 30–40% through automation and creating a scalable structure aligned to IPO readiness across 25+ subsidiaries.
- Led the financial and legal structuring of the company's Middle East expansion working directly with ADGM authorities and corporate service providers to deliver €1–2M in cost savings through regulatory optimisation and entity governance.
- Overhauled treasury operations during a rapid expansion phase restructured liquidity positions and banking relationships to deliver AED 2–3M in funding cost savings and improved cash-flow forecast accuracy by 50%.
- Created a fully integrated Shared Services (Legal, Compliance, HR) supporting 35+ countries, embedding new SOPs into existing processes and delivering 25–35% efficiency and governance improvements.
- Key participant in high-value JV negotiations, contributing directly to a bottom-line impact of AED 25 million through strategic deal structuring and financial optimization.
Timeline
Finance director
Damen Middle East
2024.07 - 2026.06
Group Head of Strategic Finance
Al Seer Marine Supplies & Equipment Company PJSC
2018.09 - 2024.09
Finance Controller
EMOCHEM, UAE - Joint Venture of Ecolab (US listed) & AL Mansoori Specialized Engineering
2015.01 - 2018.08
Finance Manager
Mirah Group of Companies (Citrus Hotels)
Finance Manager
Siddhi Group of Companies
Industrial Training
K.V.Bhat & Co. Chartered Accountants
Chartered Accountant (FCA) - Fellow Member
ICAI
Chartered Accountant (ACA) - Business Finance Professional (BFP)
ICAEW
Group Finance Executive
Al Nasser Holdings
Chartered Accountant, CA, CPA - Chartered Accountant
Ireland
Bachelors in Commerce - Commerce
University of Mumbai