CEO Insights Magazine

Starting from overall management to structuring strategies for the company's growth, It takes a lot of skills and perseverance to maintain the company's position in the market. A CEO has a lot on his table to deal with. Meet Dharmesh Shah, CEO, Hero Realty. He has been setting new benchmark for the CEOs with his leadership skills. An MBA by qualification, Dharmesh has rendered his services in real estate, banking and various other sectors. He has also been a proud recipient of Sir Ratan Tata Scholarship. He was also felicitated by various state-level awards. Recently, CEO Insights Magazine had the privilège of having Dharmesh in an interactive session. Here's the highlight.

Tell us about your educational background and professional experience. What in-spired you to foray into a career in the real estate industry?

I graduated from illustrious VJTI, the institution which has created visionaries like Jagdish Chandra Mahindra, founder of Mahindra & Mahindra, Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej, founder of Godrej Group, Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of Atomic Energy Com-mission of India, and many others. After that, I did my MBA in marketing from non-other than ICFAI. Since then it has been more than 20 years of managing business operations in various sectors, including banking and real estate. I have worked in the management team of well-known brands like Purvankara, Adani Realty, HDFC Bank, prior to Hero Realty. I have handled annual sales of nearly Rs.3000 crores with active involvement in business development across cities so as to get best option available for expansion. I was brand custodian for premium and ultraluxury portfolio, world home collection.

What is the driving force behind the foundation of the company? How would you define HERO Realty's position in the market?

Hero Realty Private Limited is the real estate arm of Hero Enterprise. At Hero, we have been market leaders in various categories based on strong group values of Trust, Care & Nurture. We are developing housing solutions that are elegant and modern, yet sustainable, aiming to build a vibrant social community. Hero Realty Private Limited developed approximately 150 acres of residential townships in Haridwar along with 230 acres of industrial parks in Haridwar. Also developing around 6 million sq. ft. in Ludhiana, Mohali, Gurugram, under the Brand name of Hero Homes. Our projects are built on four pillars ­ Creativity, Fitness, Sustainability, and Communities. Each project is well appointed with parks and greens areas, with sustainable development at its core. Our projects are designed and built on the principles of reduce, reuse & recycle. Hero Homes reflects the right blend of traditional and the modern in keeping with the ethos of the growing India.

It's always game, set, and match for the company, despite the fact that we have established ourselves as one of North India's largest real estate developers. As the first real estate company in Delhi NCR to receive CARE's A+ Rating and a Stable outlook, Hero Realty is now considered to have excellent credit. Following the significant growth in operations and sales, CARE raised Hero Realty credit rating from CARE B; Stable to CARE A +. Hero Realty has recorded a 40 percent increase in sales year over year as purchasers took advantage of low financing rates and hesitant buyers returned to the market, driving up sales in its residential projects.

What have HERO Realty's most notable real estate ventures so far been?

Across India, 3.25 million square feet have already been built by Hero Realty, the real estate division of Hero Enterprise, one of the most reputable business companies in the country. Additionally, the development of 2.76 million square feet of excellent real estate in the Punjab and Delhi NCR regions. Additionally, Haridwar has 230 acres of industrial parks.

What cutting-edge equipment or technology does HERO Realty use to achieve success?

My constant endeavor was in product innovation, enhancement and process of SMC so that 'Customer first' philosophy is maintained through smooth liaison with Architect, Project, Finance, Legal and other teams so that overall objective of organization is delivered. My goal was to enhance bottom line and EBITA as and when opportunity arises. Hero Homes strives always to innovate and offer its clients something fresh since it believes in taking a customer-centric approach to its job. The business is dedicated to providing its services and goods on time by remaining clear about its critical policies and procedures. Their design philosophy is elegant and sustainable at the same time while respecting and representing Indian values and culture while incorporating global advances. The company's philosophy is to provide customers with value-driven services and goods they may purchase without fuss.

Are there any future projects that HERO Realty intends to adopt that will follow this trend of environmentally responsible infrastructure?

The Indian Green Building Council has accredited Hero Homes' projects. In order to lessen the adverse effects on the environment, the green building rating combines various sustainable techniques and solutions. Green building design offers an integrated approach that considers the life cycle effects of the resources used. Every IGBC rating system is a voluntary, consensus-based building programme. Our projects combine exceptional innovation and unrivalled excellence. Parks and open areas are thoughtfully included in every project, bringing people closer to the outdoors. Our initiatives are created and constructed using the reduce, reuse, and recycle principles, with sustainable development at their core. We don't waste any water, for instance, because we have sewage treatment facilities that recycle and reuse the effluent for landscaping. Hero Homes shows the ideal fusion of traditional and modern while keeping up with India's rapid economic development. Furthermore, the economy, usefulness, durability, and comfort of our housing are all taken into consideration while designing it. For instance, our accommodation is built such that every room in an apartment receives sunlight and ventilation every day of the year. The tower is oriented so that we receive the least amount of glare in the summer and the most sunlight in the winter.

Dharmesh Shah, CEO, Hero Realty

Seasoned professional in conceptualizing & implementing competitive strategies for generating sales, developing as well as expanding market share towards the achievement of revenue & profitability.