Business Today has selected Mr. P.P. Kadle as India's Best CFO for the
year 2005. Mr. Kadle received the award at a glittering ceremony, from
Mr. K.V. Kamath, CEO & MD of ICICI Bank, on March 23 evening. Present among the distinguished audience was Mr. Ravi Kant.

Mr. Kadle said, "This is an acknowledgement not for me individually, but for the entire company. If we have demonstrated robust performance in the last few years, it is because of the contribution by every colleague in every function and location across the company. I share this honour with all colleagues."

Selecting Mr. Kadle, Business Today said, "He is the financial navigator at Tata Motors, structuring complex acquisitions, raising capital at attractive rates, wielding the axe on costs and showing the road ahead in the automotive major's quest to become a global brand."

Speaking to Business Today, Mr. Ravi Kant said, "He has demonstrated a leadership role in making the finance function more integrated in the business and in taking several steps proactively in exploring new areas, like M&As."

In its methodology, Business Today had first identified 386 companies - those common to both the BSE 500 and the NSE 500 - and their financial data for the four years up to 2004-05. The data analysis focussed on long-term capital management, working capital management, cost reduction, and accounting efficiency and transparency. The top 50 companies were then surveyed among the investing community, including brokers and fund managers, who were asked to rank the companies on 10 parameters, including investor-friendliness and transparency of accounts. The top 19 companies were then evaluated by a four-member panel. Mr. Kadle emerged at the top, with his significant contribution to Tata Motors' turnaround and its subsequent surge.