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Ritu Bahal

Ritu Bahal


Chief Financial Officer


New York, New York, United States



Professional Overview
Ritu Bahal is an accomplished finance executive with over 20 years of experience driving financial strategy and operational excellence across global organizations. As the Chief Financial Officer at COTA, she is responsible for overseeing the company's financial functions, including budgeting, reporting, tax, and risk management. Ritu is a strategic leader with deep expertise in the insights and analytics industry, leveraging her financial acumen to support organizational growth and profitability.

Experience Summary

Current Role
Chief Financial Officer, COTA (2021-01-01 to Present)
  • Serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic financial guidance and operational oversight

  • Spearheads the development and implementation of COTA's financial strategy, ensuring alignment with the company's broader business objectives

  • Oversees all aspects of the finance function, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and financial reporting

  • Leads the finance team in driving process improvements and implementing best practices to enhance efficiency and support the organization's rapid growth


Career Progression
Ritu Bahal has held progressively senior finance roles within the insights and analytics industry, leveraging her deep domain expertise to drive financial performance and operational efficiency. Prior to joining COTA, she served as the Chief Financial Officer - North America for Kantar Insights and the Chief Financial Officer - Americas for Kantar Health, where she played a pivotal role in expanding the company's global footprint and improving profitability.

Earlier in her career, Ritu held various finance and governance positions at Kantar and WPP, including Vice President of Corporate Governance and Director of Internal Audit. She also gained experience in the retail industry, serving as a Financial Controller at Kingfisher plc and a Property and Project Analyst at Marks and Spencer.

Academic Background
Ritu holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Delhi and is a Chartered Accountant, having completed her professional training in India.

Areas of Expertise
  • Financial strategy and planning

  • Budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management

  • Financial reporting and internal controls

  • Risk management and compliance

  • Process optimization and operational efficiency

  • Mergers, acquisitions, and integration

  • Leadership and team development


Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Ritu has played a pivotal role in driving financial performance and operational excellence within the organizations she has served. At Kantar, she implemented robust financial planning and reporting processes, which enabled the company to navigate periods of growth and market volatility. Ritu also spearheaded initiatives to streamline operations and improve profitability, contributing to the overall success of the business.

Conclusion
With her extensive finance expertise, strategic mindset, and industry knowledge, Ritu Bahal is well-positioned to continue driving COTA's financial success and supporting the company's ambitious growth plans. Her proven track record of leadership and her ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights make her a valuable asset to the organization.