Vishal Rao Chowhan
Sharjah,United Arab Emirates
Summary
Expert in leading high-performance teams to consistently surpass sales targets. Proven success in sales and distribution within the BFSI sector across India and UAE. Recognized for exceptional B2B and B2C sales capabilities, with a strong history of driving growth through effective go-to-market strategies. Certified trainer in soft skills and TTT, with skills in Power BI, basic SQL, and Python, committed to ethical business practices and performance coaching.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Financial Centre Head / SSM
Deem Finance LLC
Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
07.2014 - Current
- Recruit, Train and Lead a team of high performing agents to drive acquisition and growth of MSME loan and deposit portfolios through direct sales.
- Achieved MoM and QoQ growth in business and thereby achieving 119% in 2024 and 146% in 2025 of YTD target
- Generate new business leads via field visits, referrals, channel partners, and SME ecosystem networking.
- Maintain portfolio quality by monitoring repayment behavior and ensuring early risk detection.
- Ensure strict compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and KYC/AML guidelines.
Vice President – Central | GM – East
HDFC Life (Erstwhile Exide Life Insurance)
Kolkata and Lucknow, India
06.2008 - 10.2012
- Rated #1 or #2 employee and part of Deferred Compensation Plan.
- Qualified for International Conventions — Dubai 2010, Singapore 2011.
- It was a General Management role with matrix reporting of Regional Training, HR, Operations, Marketing, Customer Service & Sales.
- As DGM East built distribution from scratch by doubling SM strength to 160 and grew advisor base to 2800+ across West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and Jharkhand in 24 months.
- Pioneered 100+ BOP format adopted nationally and increased recruitment of agents significantly.
- Turned around East Zone from PAN India rank #8 to #2 across all KPIs through focused recruitment drives, productivity programs and rigorous field coaching.
- Got promoted as VP - Central and led a high performing team of 33 branches with 450 SM's and 3000+ advisor across Central India.
- Nurtured new agents through programs such as NEEV and upgrading them as Club Agents and MDRT/COT to enhance capabilities, Income, Retention and thereby impacting Persistency.
- Conduct weekly, monthly and quarterly performance reviews in line with company plan.
- Planning of RnR ( Reward n Recognition) programs and launching contests on periodic basis for channel.
Asst. Vice President – PCHH | Regional Development Manager
Tata AIA Life Insurance
Jaipur & Chandigarh, India
01.2005 - 06.2008
- Responsible to manage 20 branches across Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
- First Year Premium Collection and managing Net Growth of the Agency.
- To develop a Persistent and Profitable Business.
- To drive A&H Business and thereby focusing on Profitable Products.
- Responsible for coordination with Branch Agency Manager's for Sales and Recruitment.
- To drive activities to promote Sales and Recruitment for Channel Partners.
- Delivered exceptional results as RDM - Rajasthan across all parameters and was elevated to AVP to lead PCHH region within 24 months.
- Oversaw training programmes for new hires, facilitating their quick integration into teams.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
Regional Head – SEG / BBG
ICICI Bank Limited
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
07.2004 - 12.2004
- As a Regional Head - SEG - BBG, I was responsible to manage 5 branches across Andhra Pradesh.
- I lead a team of 8 ASM's and around 160 REs
- The main KPI was to increase the base of Current Account customers and then leverage them for OD's + CC's+ SME Loans, Corporate Deposit and Trade/ Forex proposition etc.
- With detailed product presentations, convinced potential customers of benefits and value of products and services offered by the company.
- Partnered with HR department in staff recruitment process to maintain high-performing sales team.
Branch Manager
Birla Sun Life Insurance
Jaipur, Rajasthan
09.2002 - 05.2004
- Recruited and led 25 Agency Managers across 3 locations, Jaipur and 2 spoke locations viz Alwar and Ajmer.
- Handpicked 25 Agency Manager's and recruited 300+ advisors across al 3 locations.
- Maintained 95%+ persistency and pioneered by sales of Keyman Insurance and Employer Employee policies.
- Training AM's and advisors about Products and selling skills.
- Responsible for developing AM's and advisors with the help of Joint calls etc.
- Updating channel about insurance industry and new product developments.
- Coordinating career orientation programmes and motivational programmes for new prospects.
Area Sales Manager – Auto | Regional Collections Manager
GE Money
Bangalore, Lucknow and Chennai, India
08.1998 - 09.2002
- Started as a Used Car business in Bangalore in 1998. Tied up 25+ used car dealers. Managed Dealer DSA relationships and organised Road Shows and Loan Melas across the city.
- I was given additional responsibility to manage Non Maruti business portfolio as well @ Bangalore. Grew it from 1.5 Cr.pm to 4 Cr. pm.
- Transferred to Lucknow and managed non Personal Loan ( Open and Retention), consumer durable and two-wheler portfolio for key market Lucknow.
- Promoted as Territory Manager - Maruti Countrywide and drove key relationship for Maruti Udyog Ltd. across all 5 locations in Uttar Pradesh and garnered almost 25% market share amongst all finance companies, with a weighted yield of 16% & CoA of 2%.
- Promoted as Regional Collections Manager for entire UP based @ Lucknow and managed collections for a year.
- Promoted as Area Sales Manager to handle Auto loans both Maruti, Non Maruti and Used Card for all locations across Tamil Nadu based @ Chennai.
Client Service Executive
Sobhagya Advertising
Ahmedabad, India
05.1995 - 03.1998
- Developed key client relationships for better business growth.
- Established new accounts whilst maintaining existing ones for sustained business development.
- Pitched media plans to clients, securing profitable deals.
- Collaborated with creative teams to conceptualise effective advertisements.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Institute For Technology & Management
Mumbai 04.1991 - 03.1993
Skills
- Sales & Distribution
- Team Leadership
- B2B and B2C sales champion
- Certified TTT and Soft Skills Train
- VP/DGM-level management
- Performance coaching
- Rainmaker & a Turnaround expert
- Train the Trainer certified
- Ethical and Compliant business practioner
- Intercultural competence
- Go To Market strategy expert
- New Business development
Certification
- AI for Business Leaders and Executive Briefing : AI + Chat GPT from Udemy in 5/2025 and 6/2025
- Certified Power BI Developer from Skill Nation in 01/2024
- Earned Basic SQL and Python from LinkedIn 06/2023
- Six Sigma Green Belt ( Wave I and Wave III)
- Certified Train the Trainer (ICICI Bank and Dunia Finance)
Languages
English
Fluent
Hindi
Native
Accomplishments
- I was instrumental in getting Kamal cement for Sobhagya Advertising in 1995 and got an opportunity to work with Sh Harish Bhimani. It was an elaborate campaign of Press, Hoarding and Radio spots
- Extra Milers in 06/99, 02/00 and 06/00 and Best TM in 05/01 in GE Money.
- Best Regional Development Manager in Q1 (Dec 2005 - Feb 2006).
- Best Branch Head Award in Jul 2006 and Aug 2006 across all North locations in Tata AIA.
- Winner of A&H Contest in Tata AIA Life in 09/06 and 10/06 in Cat A Branches.
- Winner of Knockout Championship in the month 09/06 in Tata AIA Life.
- Recipient of Scroll of Honour by MD in 10/06 as the #1 branch on YTD target in Tata AIA Life.
- Won “Superhit Muqabula” in Tata AIA 195L Vs. 150L in July 2006.
- Best RDM across 4 Regions in North for business in April & May 2006 in Tata AIA.
- Qualified for International Convention Bangkok in 2005 as # 2 RDM in Tata AIA
- Qualified for Zonal Development Conference at Goa in Tata AIG Life in 2006.
- Qualified for International Convention Malaysia in 2006 as # 1 RDM in Tata AIA
- Qualified for International Convention at DUBAI in 2010 in HDFC Life ( erstwhile ING Life).
- Qualified for International Convention at SINGAPORE in 2011 in HDFC Life ( erstwhile ING Life).
- Acknowledged as a Turnaround Manager after inheriting a young small team in 2023 and exceeded targets in 2024 @ 119% in 2024 and 146% in 2025 and improving overall ranking from # 5 to #3 across all branches.
- Qualified for Best Sales Manager award in Q1 2025 and won a trip to Georgia in Deem Finance
- Recipient of Best Sales Manager award in Q3, 2025 in Deem Finance LLC
REFERENCES
- Shariq, Hoda, SVP, Metlife Insurance, +91 88080490472
- Sanjay, Dhawan, HR Head, DHL Limited, +91 9892347422
Timeline
Financial Centre Head / SSM
Deem Finance LLC
07.2014 - Current
Vice President – Central | GM – East
HDFC Life (Erstwhile Exide Life Insurance)
06.2008 - 10.2012
Asst. Vice President – PCHH | Regional Development Manager
Tata AIA Life Insurance
01.2005 - 06.2008
Regional Head – SEG / BBG
ICICI Bank Limited
07.2004 - 12.2004
Branch Manager
Birla Sun Life Insurance
09.2002 - 05.2004
Area Sales Manager – Auto | Regional Collections Manager
GE Money
08.1998 - 09.2002
Client Service Executive
Sobhagya Advertising
05.1995 - 03.1998
MBA - Marketing
Institute For Technology & Management
04.1991 - 03.1993