Uma Selvam

About Uma Selvam

I am a Vice President – HR, People & Culture with 18+ years of experience building and scaling people functions across manufacturing, technology, SaaS, FinTech, and consulting environments.My core strength lies in taking organizations from early-stage / growth phase to structured, audit-ready, IPO-aligned people ecosystems, while ensuring culture, compliance, and employee experience scale together.I have led end-to-end HR transformations — from zero-to-one setup, to multi-location manufacturing and corporate environments, partnering closely with CEOs, CXOs, founders, and boards on people strategy, leadership structuring, compliance, and workforce planning.Currently, as VP – HR, People & Culture at Garuda Aerospace, I lead the people agenda for a manufacturing-led aerospace organization, driving IPO readiness, leadership capability building, culture transformation, and governance frameworks.My leadership style balances people-first thinking with business rigor, ensuring HR is not a support function—but a strategic growth enabler.Core ExpertisePeople & Culture Leadership | Manufacturing HR | Startup → IPO Readiness | Organization Design | Performance & Incentives | Statutory & Audit Compliance | Leadership Development | Workforce Planning | Change Management | Global Stakeholder Partnering Recognized among TSOW HR40 — Top 40 HR Leaders shaping the future of work. Featured below: my journey and the official announcement.My Leadership PhilosophyI believe culture is not what is written in policies—it is what leaders tolerate, role-model, and reinforce every day.As a People & Culture leader, my role is to:Build clarity before controlEnable leaders before enforcing processesBalance empathy with accountabilityCreate systems that are scalable, compliant, and humanIn manufacturing and high-growth environments, I strongly believe:Speed without structure breaks peopleStructure without culture breaks trustMy focus is to build organizations where performance, ownership, and psychological safety coexist, and where HR enables leaders to succeed—not depend on HR.

Experience

1. Vice President Human Resources

   Garuda Aerospace Limited

   Sep 2025 — Present · Chennai, IN

Education

• Annamalai University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Business Administration and Management, General

• Great Lakes Institute of Management

  Post Graduate Program in Management for Executives, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

• Pudupet School of Commerce

  Diploma, Secretarial Practice

• Bharathiar University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General