Arpan Sahni

About Arpan Sahni

I bring over 17 years of diversified experience in the financial services industry, spanning strategy, operations, and consulting. My expertise lies in driving growth, building high-performing teams, and executing large-scale transformation programs with a strong focus on financial inclusion and microfinance.As Senior Vice President – Head of Strategy, Planning & Program Management at Axis Bank, I lead distribution planning, program governance, and marketing strategies across microfinance verticals including Retail, Wholesale, SHG, Secured Lending, Liabilities, and Cross-sales. I also oversee Sales Management and Training, strengthening field productivity and customer engagement while enabling sustainable business growth.Previously, I headed Corporate Planning & Strategy at Belstar Microfinance (a Muthoot Finance subsidiary), driving inorganic growth through partnerships, portfolio securitisation, and new product rollouts. Earlier, at MicroSave Consulting, I supported MFIs in implementing digital financial solutions—covering strategy, product innovation, and end-to-end pilot-to-scale execution.I am passionate about building inclusive financial ecosystems, mentoring teams to unlock their potential, and creating strategies that translate into measurable impact on the ground.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President, Head- Strategy, Planning and Program Management

   Axis Bank

   Oct 2023 — Present · Mumbai, IN

   Responsible for distribution planning, sales management and training, program governance, and marketing strategies across a diverse spectrum of microfinance business lines including Retail, Wholesale, Self-Help Groups (SHG), Secured Lending, Liability Management, and Cross-sales. Focused on driving growth, strengthening frontline productivity, and embedding operational excellence within these segments by leveraging deep expertise in financial services and a strong understanding of the microfinance industry.

Education

• Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode

  Professional Certificate Programme in FinTech

• Xavier Institute of Management, Jabalpur

  MBA, Rural Management

  2006 — 2008

• GS. College of Commerce & Economics

  B.Com, Financial Management; 2006

Skills

• Training
• Team Leadership
• Business Development
• Business Growth Strategies
• Business Strategy
• Risk Management
• Team Management
• Business Relationship Management
• Management
• Strategy
• Profit Center Management
• Portfolio Management
• Loans
• Business Planning
• Finance
• Relationship Management
• Cross Selling
• Sales
• Financial Risk
• Credit