MAM
Pankaj Vasani wins ICAI’s “chief financial officer of the year” award 2018
MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe’s Executive President & CFO, South Asia, Pankaj Vasani, has been awarded “CA CFO of the Year in the Media & Entertainment Sector” by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) at the 12th ICAI’s Leaders & Business Excellence Awards held in Mumbai on 19 January.
Pankaj received his award from Shri. Vijay Goel, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for parliamentary Affairs, CA. Naveen Gupta – President ICAI, CA, Dhiraj K. Khandelwal – Chairman Committee for Members in Industry & Business, and other key officer bearers of ICAI.
The awards instituted by ICAI acknowledges the Chartered Accountants (CAs) in the industry who have demonstrated excellence in the way they conduct their profession, are exemplary role models in the industry, have created value to their company's stakeholders on a sustainable basis and are outstanding contributors to the society.
On receiving the award, Pankaj said, “I'm truly and honestly thrilled to be here today, and sincerely grateful to the entire jury for the unique distinction. I might have done well at my job, but this recognition accorded by the Institute, which I greatly appreciate and accept with all humility and deep gratitude, comes in consequence of a lot of other people's work. I, therefore, accept this award on behalf of my family and friends for always being there and encouraging me, my mentors for believing in me and all my colleagues who I’ve worked in the past and work with at the Publicis Groupe, who made this moment, happen. This award is a compliment, an inspiration and cognisance that I'm on my journey to become a better professional, and a person of greater social significance.”
The prestigious ICAI awards are given in various categories (i) CA Business Achiever (Chairman/CEO) (ii) CA Chief Financial Officer and (iii) CA Professional Achiever. The top five nominations in each category are short listed by the Nomination Committee, which then sends it to the Jury for final selection. The Jury consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian Industry, leading businessmen, representative of national trade bodies, regulators, academicians, heads of universities, past presidents of ICAI and other well-known personalities, then decides on the final winner of the awards. This year’s distinguished Jury was chaired by Shri Keki Mistry, Vice Chairman and CEO, HDFC.
The winners were chosen from various industries such as manufacturing sector, financial sector, services sector, information technology, media and entertainment sector, telecom sector, healthcare sector, public sector, infrastructure and construction.
Brands
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.
