C. Siva Kumar

Senior business leader with 30+ years of experience across BFSI, life insurance, sales, distribution, bancassurance and strategic partnerships. Proven record of building and scaling distribution businesses, developing bank-led channels, strengthening partner ecosystems and improving sales productivity. Experienced in working with boards, CXOs, banking leadership and multi-location teams.

Brings a strong combination of commercial leadership, market development, channel management, stakeholder engagement and leadership development, with an entrepreneurial approach to growth.

Founder & CEO - ARTEK Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

(2022-05)

• Founded and lead a consulting business providing recruitment, sales capability and leadership advisory services to BFSI and Pharma organisations.
• Advise clients on business development, talent acquisition, sales capability and leadership effectiveness.

Project Head – Learning & Development Centre - I Share Business Services

(2021-06 - 2022-03)

• Led an insurance distribution and capability-building project promoted by the Government of India.
• Managed programme execution, stakeholder coordination and learning interventions.

Director – Sales & Business Development - Sarvagnya Solutions

(2017-11 - 2021-03)

• Led business development and delivered leadership and career guidance programmes across Engineering and Management institutions.
• Built institutional relationships and developed new business opportunities.

VP & National Head – New Business Development & Rural Channels - IndiaFirst Life Insurance

(2016-02 - 2017-05)

• Led new business development for bancassurance partnerships and sales transformation initiatives.
• Strengthened banking relationships and expanded distribution through rural channels.

Vice President & Zonal Distribution Officer – South - IDBI Federal Life Insurance

(2007-11 - 2016-01)

• Led South Zone distribution, strategic partnerships and sales performance across multiple markets.
• Drove channel expansion, productivity improvement and partner engagement across a large field network.

Chief Manager – Bancassurance & Partnerships - MetLife India Life Insurance

(2006-11 - 2007-11)

• Managed bancassurance and alliance initiatives; recognised for strong performance in the Axis Bank launch.

Area Sales Manager – Bancassurance & Alliances - Birla Sun Life Insurance

(2004-06 - 2006-10)

• Developed bancassurance relationships and drove partner-led sales performance.

Franchisee Manager – Vijayawada - Max New York Life Insurance - Vijayawada

(2002-09 - 2004-06)

• Managed franchise operations, sales performance and local market development.

Area Head - DTDC Courier & Cargo - Andhra Pradesh

(1999-12 - 2002-08)

• Managed the Andhra Pradesh area and expanded the franchise network from 160 to 340 branches.
• Supported launches in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

Earlier Career - Zen Global Finance, Lloyds Finance, Shriram Transport Finance

(1990-01 - 1999-12)

Progressive roles across finance, branch management, sales and marketing.

B.Sc. - Osmania University

PG Diploma - Computer Applications - NIIT

Executive Leadership Programme - IIM Ahmedabad