Veer Arjun Passi

Leading Kalaam Telecom Group’s transformation into one of the Top 3 digital infrastructure providers in the GCC, with licensed operations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and KSA and a footprint spanning 22 countries. Key Highlights: • Spearheaded Kalaam’s evolution from a prepaid calling card provider to a regional leader with revenues exceeding USD 100 million. • Delivered consistent double-digit growth in revenue and profitability. • Successfully executed four strategic acquisitions, driving inorganic growth and expanding Kalaam’s presence across the MENA region. • Positioned Kalaam as both a service provider and systems integration partner, enabling enterprises, public sector, and wholesale carriers with solutions in: o NaaS (Network-as-a-Service) o Hybrid cloud – Private & Public (AWS, Azure, GCP) o Cybersecurity o UCaaS/ CPaaS o AI & ICT • Championed a digital-first model, making Kalaam one of the few operators to fully map the 360° customer journey on a single integrated platform. • Built a culture that emphasizes customer-first execution, financial discipline, and operational excellence. • Represented Kalaam on regional and global panels, sharing perspectives on telecom innovation, digital transformation, and M&A growth.

Joined as manager business advisory services for KPMG telecom sector practice, leading various large scale complex projects including providing Costing & Business Intelligence solutions and due diligence & valuation for large Telecom service provider in the MENA region. Key contributions include:- Activity Based Costing (ABC) • Lead the functional design team of a US$ 3 million engagement involving design and implementation of ABM solution for Etisalat (the largest telecom operator of UAE) giving management the visibility of the gross margin per product for effective pricing & marketing decisions • Acted as project manager for the strategic review and up gradation of the existing costing models for Cyprus Telecom Authority (CYTA) , Saudi Telecom Company(STC) & MTN South Africa Business intelligence tools • Acted as functional lead for implementation of Financial Forecasting and Budgeting System for STC using “Hyperion” platform to help integrate revenue and cost projections for the individual Business Units (BU)/ Functional Units (FU). The solution enables end-users (BUs, FUs, top management, FP&B and regulatory affairs among others) to run scenarios using consistent forecasting models Valuation & due diligence • Independent valuation of a very large automobile and marine equipment dealer in Middle East Region using Discounted Cash Flow methodology

As a business analyst and reporting directly to the CEO of the three circles, created business performance management frameworks monitoring the KPI’s of all the functions including performance scorecards, feasibility studies, financial evaluation of proposals etc

Joined as asst. manager finance for the Gujarat telecom circle of India and held multiple responsibilities during the span of two and half years including the head of finance , revenue assurance & business planning for Gujarat circle and was promoted to the Corporate Office (Gurgaon)for the role of the head of business planning for the South India Hub comprising 6 circles of India. Key contributions include:- Annual operating plan & strategy •Finalized the annual operating plan & strategy for the 6 circle of India for FY 2005-06 comprising 40mn subs and annual revenue of over US$ 1.4 bn •Prepared 5 year business plan for “Bridge Alliance” – A strategic alliance between Bharti Airtel and 8 other major Asia Pacific Operators Regional costing & standardization of processes •Designed and implemented a Six Sigma project on regional profitability including comprehensive financial evaluation platform comprising cost allocation, profitability management and reporting on key performance indicator for each state of the regional hubs. •Standardized and documented the business planning & analysis processes and identified its Critical To Quality parameters (CTQs) to be monitored on monthly basis GSM industry benchmarking •Represented Bharti Airtel for conducting GSM industry benchmarking study for 2004-05 by PWC

As part of the Billing & Revenue assurance team devised retail & interconnect billing and reconciliation frameworks including revenue assurance models and MIS.