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Balram Bhagat joins The Wealth Company to lead pensions and products
MUMBAI: The Wealth Company, part of the Pantomath Group, has appointed Balram Bhagat as managing partner for products and pension, marking a bold step in its expansion plans.
A veteran of India’s pension and mutual fund industry, Bhagat brings over 30 years of experience in building financial institutions, promoting pension adoption, and advancing financial inclusion. He is set to strengthen the company’s leadership, enhance its product suite, and drive scalable growth across investment offerings and distribution channels.
Bhagat was the founding CEO of UTI Pension Fund, where he helped the organisation grow into India’s third-largest pension fund, managing over Rs 4,00,000 crore under the National Pension System. His leadership won the fund numerous national and international awards for innovation, governance, and excellence in pension management.
Prior to UTI Pension Fund, Bhagat held key positions at UTI Mutual Fund, including head of product sales, championing socially focused schemes and micro-pension initiatives. He also led state-level financial inclusion programmes, such as the Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojna, broadening access to financial literacy and savings products in underserved communities.
The Wealth Company founder, MD, and CEO Madhu Lunawat said, “Balram Bhagat is a pioneering force in India’s pension ecosystem. His strategic vision, deep knowledge of product innovation, and track record in scaling institutions will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in the retirement space.”
Bhagat added, “I am thrilled to join The Wealth Company at this transformative stage. It is inspiring to see a young and dynamic founder institutionalising asset management with fresh ideas. My focus will be on creating scalable, purpose-driven solutions that advance financial inclusion and generate long-term value for stakeholders.”
Bhagat holds an M.A. in Economics, an MBA in Marketing, and is CAIIB-qualified. He currently serves as an independent director on the board of LIC Mutual Fund and has previously been a member of PFRDA’s Pension Advisory Committee.
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Sapphire Foods FY26 revenue rises to Rs 3,125 crore, posts loss
Q4 revenue at Rs 792 crore, FY26 loss at Rs 32 crore amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: If growth is on the menu, profitability seems to have taken a brief detour. Sapphire Foods India reported a steady rise in topline for FY26, even as rising costs weighed on profitability. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 3,125 crore for the year ended March 31, 2026, up from Rs 2,882 crore in FY25. However, the company swung to a loss, reporting a net loss of Rs 32 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 17 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year stood at Rs 3,153 crore, while total expenses climbed to Rs 3,167 crore, reflecting pressure across key cost heads.
In the March quarter, revenue came in at Rs 792 crore, compared to Rs 711 crore in the same period last year. The company reported a quarterly net loss of Rs 13 crore, against a profit of Rs 2 crore a year earlier.
Cost pressures remained visible across operations. Material costs rose to Rs 995 crore for FY26, while employee expenses increased to Rs 428 crore. Other expenses, the largest component, stood at Rs 1,229 crore, underscoring the impact of store operations and expansion-related spends.
Depreciation and amortisation expenses also climbed to Rs 392 crore for the year, reflecting continued investments in store infrastructure and growth.
At the operating level, the company reported a loss before tax of Rs 37 crore for FY26, compared to a profit of Rs 23 crore in FY25. Exceptional items added Rs 24 crore to the cost burden during the year.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 3,256 crore as of March 31, 2026, up from Rs 3,041 crore a year earlier, indicating ongoing expansion. Net worth stood at Rs 1,389 crore.
Despite profitability pressures, operating cash flow remained resilient at Rs 507 crore, highlighting underlying business strength and demand stability.
The numbers paint a familiar picture in the quick-service restaurant space, growth continues to be served hot, but margins are still finding their footing.
