Spare time is a commodity which, if listed on the exchanges, would see buying interest, ahead of even gold and oil,” says Neeraj Jain, executive director, strategic and commercial intelligence, transaction services at KPMG.

The lack of leisure time notwithstanding, he is happy with his current portfolio. He is part of the strategy group that provides industry, modelling, operations and business-related due diligence and advice to clients. He leads the telecom vertical for transactions and restructuring for KPMG in India. Apart from telecom, he also focuses on the automotive and consumer sectors. His role includes pro-active business development and project delivery, interaction with banks, investment bankers and private equity firms.

In terms of management style, Jain believes in an open door, non-hierarchical approach when interacting with his team and colleagues. He likes to encourage team bonding and respect for individuals, which, in turn, enables his team to deliver to their maximum potential.

Interestingly, as a student, Jain was keen on pursuing medicine, but coming from a family of engineers and MBAs, he ended up toeing the line. He did, however, marry a doctor. “That does give me a feeling of my childhood dream being fulfilled,” he quips.

Jain did an MBA from INSEAD, France and before that, graduated in electronics and communications from the CR State College of Engineering. Prior to joining KPMG in 2008, he gained experience in strategy consulting as well as due diligence-related work with Ernst & Young in London.

He also worked with global strategy consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting for two years. Prior to that, he worked for Siemens’s mobile division for eight years, wherein he had extensive exposure to both consulting and implementation of large infrastructure and telecommunication networks.

He believes that his biggest challenge today is delivering more within the available time. He adds that India offers tremendous opportunity for professionals like him “Recruiting and retaining  good individuals who are team players is also a challenge in the professional context. My targets are both financial and business-oriented and factor in a 30 per cent growth on last year,” he says. 

Jain enjoys reading and updating himself on current affairs in his spare time. “Of course, outings and travelling with the family are also priority,” he notes.