QP Quest Partners

2013

Who we are Professional background of partners Range of Services

Strategy Consulting Services Corporate Advisory Services Mergers & Acquisition Advisory Venture Capital Advisory Education Vertical – Specialist

Services Training Solutions Business Incubator Services

Strategic Partners Quest Advantage & Approach Testimonials Locations

Experienced team of 8 professionals led by 2 Partners founded in year 2000

Geographic Spread covering primary metros and a satellite city. (Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi & Bangalore) enabling seamless point-to-point delivery.

Though young….have an impeccable track record in respect of mandates executed coupled with diversity and breadth of our client universe.

Professional Background of the Partners

Imran PanjuPartner (Mumbai)

Imran Panju is based in Mumbai. Over the past twenty five years he has been closely involved in both, the areas of manufacturing & industry, as well as financial services & consulting and brings a rich and varied experience to the practice.

He started his career as an Industrial Marketing consultant in the U.S., and then held progressively senior roles in investment banking when he moved back to India. Early in his career he set up a boutique financial Advisory firm which became part of a large financial group, where he served on the Board of Directors for several years.

Quest was co-founded by Imran in the year 2000, as an Executive Search service provider to International and Private Banks. The Strategy and Business consulting practice was added in 2004.

He also managed and grew the business of an automobile ancillary manufacturing company (OEM supplier), which is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, where he is now a member of the Board of Directors.

Imran has been ‘India Country Advisor’ to the Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Canada since 2005 and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Indo - Canadian Business Chamber - Mumbai Regional Chapter.

He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Simmonds Marshall Ltd, Harlequin India Ltd, J.N. Marshall Ltd and other privately held companies.

Imran has a Masters degree in Business Administration with majors in Finance and MIS

Subhabrata (Rontu) Basu

Partner (Mumbai)

Subhabrata (Rontu) Basu, is based in Mumbai.

  Rontu is a banking professional with over 25 years experience in the financial sector and has worked in senior positions with DSP Merrill Lynch, ANZ Grindlays, Jardine Fleming, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank. His experience in investment banking covered industry and company analysis, business and equity valuation, financial structuring, primary capital market transactions and Mergers & Acquisition Advisory, across diverse industry sectors, including, FMCG, Technology, Clean Tech, Industrial & Media. He was part of the core team which set up Commerzbank’s branch in India and established its corporate banking operations. In his stint with Deutsche Bank Private Banking he was responsible for conceptualising and executing the bank’s wealth management strategies targeted towards entrepreneurs and professionals in the Technology and Media sectors.

Rontu has a broad range of experience in conducting senior level searches, with an emphasis on building team platforms in financial services in India, across Investment Banking, Private Banking & Private Equity. He has also been associated with some successful searches executed in the Middle East, in the Wholesale Banking & Treasury area and has had a long stint, in the ME region, in the financial consulting area, with an international accounting and consulting group. Rontu has an extensive network of financial market professionals across Asia and the Middle East, arising from his past career in banking.

Professional Background of the Partners

Cont’d…Cont’d…

Subhabrata (Rontu) Basu

Partner (Mumbai)

His past investment banking experience and senior level connections, in driving deals across diverse industry sectors, has enabled him to effectively leverage this experience, to access talent across the Technology, Media & Entertainment and Clean Tech sectors.

He played a key role, in the launch of the Strategy and Business Consulting practice of Quest, in 2004, and has led several India entry strategy assignments across, education, media and publishing. He has also been the “India Country Advisor” to the Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, since 2005 and has helped them formulate and execute their India strategy and presence.

He is the current Chairperson of the Mumbai Regional Council of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber (ICBC) and Vice-President of the National Board and through this association, is active in the India-Canada corridor, covering trade, investment & institutional linkages.

Rontu has a Bachelors Degree in Commerce from the University of Bombay and a Diploma in Accounting Studies from Oxford Brookes University, UK. He also holds an Accounting Technician Certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Rontu is a keen badminton player, having represented his club in tournaments on several occasions and enjoys trekking and the outdoors

Professional Background of the Partners

Cont’d…Cont’d…

Quest Partners management consulting business leverages our deep industry expertise, robust database, research capabilities and portfolio of corporate and government relationships. The firm has an unique focus on trade, investment & institutional linkages in the Indo-Canada corridor. Quest offers strategic consulting services to Canadian companies for India business development and to Indian companies for Canadian market presence

Strategy Consulting ServicesCorporate Advisory ServicesEducation Vertical-Specialist Services Training Solutions

Executive Education India - Through our association with the Schulich School of Business, we are active in India developing top tier Executive Education programs for the Indian corporate sector delivered by Schulich faculty.

Developing and marketing customised & public, management and leadership programs, to the corporate sector, for reputed international universities and leadership institutes.

Business Incubator Services

Focused in the Financial services area, which include New market entry, Market sizing, Market positioning & Strategy Review.

Proprietary knowledge about the financial services industry, allows Quest to complete Strategy Consulting Projects in a tighter time frame, without compromising on the quality of the output.

Strategy Consulting Clients International Bank – Strategic study on private banking entry Leading container & Ship Agency Company – setting up a

container leasing fund as an alternative asset class for investors.

Strategic study undertaken on behalf of an international bank to assist in evaluating the market potential of setting up a Wealth Management / Private Banking business in India.

The study covered the following areas: Historical development of the Wealth Management Market Market Potential for Private Banking in India and present

scenario. Recent market trends in the Industry. Indian Wealth Pyramid and Potential clients. Products and pricing. Competitor Analysis Licences, permits and regulatory framework Recommending the positioning and strategy of the private

bank.

Corporate Advisory Services India Entry Strategy Mergers & Acquisitions - Cross-Border & Local Divestment / Disposal Venture Capital Fund Raising Joint Ventures / Alliances Active in the India-Canada corridor covering trade, investment

and institutional linkagesCorporate Advisory Clients

Schulich School of Business Harlequin Mills & Boon India Ltd. Toronto Star A24 Media MHS Inc

Research and analysis of current market situation including study of current players in the relevant sector

Planning and formulation of India strategyEvaluation of options in terms of organic or

non-organic build upAdvice on financing options if requiredLocal representation and distribution tie-upExecution of implementation plan and

assistance in the initial stages

What should my entry strategy be? What are government norms on FDI, for my industry? What other

regulations are prevalent? What can be expected beyond the visible horizon? How can we expand the market for our products and services? How do I find the right partners to sell/distribute my product? Is our business model appropriate? Changes we should consider? We have our hypothesis about the market for our new concepts.

Are we on the right track? Can we go ahead and make the investments?

Can you help us implement your suggestions?

Quest Partners have been appointed as Country Advisors - India for the Schulich School of Business, York University.

The Schulich School is Canada's No 1 business school and has been ranked amongst the top 30 in the world by both the Financial Times, London and the Economist Intelligence unit in their annual rankings of the world's top 100 MBA programs. Quest Partners is the Satellite office for the Schulich School in India and the scope of its services are:

Promoting and marketing the Schulich executive education training programs to Indian Corporates, banks, financial institutions and public sector corporates. Training programs conducted for Citibank, American Express, Indian Hotels, Aditya Birla Group & at Tata Management Training Centre (TMTC).

Placement of Schulich graduates of BBA, MBA and other Schulich programs into the Indian market.

Providing assistance in conjunction with the School representatives in admission recruiting into the various programs.

Advice on strategic alliances by Schulich with academic institutions in India and assistance in negotiations.

Advice and assistance in identifying potential partners for the India campus, conducting due diligence and assistance in negotiations to form the alliance.

World Leader in romance fiction Scope of Work

Strategic Situational Analysis Industry Environment Analysis Competitive Environment Analysis Cost Advantages Analysis of market attractiveness Mode of Entry Due Diligence of potential J V partners Co-ordination with legal firms and tax advisory firms to create an

optimum structure for the proposed vehicle.

Leading newspaper publication of Canada Scope of work

Strategic situational analysis of players in the Indian media space.

Identifying media houses as potential partners. Conducting Due Diligence of potential partners. Assistance in drawing up the business plan. Assistance in negotiations to form the alliance. Co-ordination with legal firms and tax advisory firms to

create an optimum structure for the proposed vehicle.

Leading privately held publication company, specializes in the development, publication and distributions of psychological assessments with product catering to four distinct markets – Clinical (Psychological /Psychiatrists), Education (Schools / Universities), Public Safety (Criminal Justices / Police) and Human Resources (Talent Assessment) Scope of work

MHS has engaged Quest to research, develop and implement their India strategy, aimed at launching their EQ - 2.0, product in the Indian market.

Develop a list of potential contacts in the relevant target audience, with a view to generating opportunities for MHS products and services in the Indian market.

To develop a list of potential distribution partners, and gauge interest /potential in MHS products & services

Assist with the conduct of a market research initiative, if required, to understand scope and potential of the talent assessment market

Advise on the regulatory requirements/formalities for structuring an appropriate presence in India, either as a representative/liaison office, branch or wholly owned subsidiary in consultation with legal firms and tax advisors.

Pan – African News Media Content Company Scope of work

Identifying suitable partners for a Joint Venture Selecting possible clients for syndicated feeds and online

content Analysis of comparative cost of setting up broadcast

stations Research on suppliers of related hardware and software Gauging interest of potential investors - both financial and

strategic

Active in the Indo-UAE and Indo – Canada corridor Advised on cross-border transactions in the middle

east, in the construction chemicals and leisure / hospitality space

Advising early stage companies to identify an appropriate equity partner

Focused approach on venture capital raising < $10 m Assisting in preparation of information memorandum,

and using our knowledge, track record and rolodex to pitch to the institutional venture capital community

Advised a technology solutions provider to the ‘Logistics Industry’.

Quest has an unique education vertical, which specializes in strategic management of higher education in India, facilitating international collaborations and market development. Our clients in this area include the Schulich School of Business, Laval University, Montreal, HEC, Montreal and York University, Canada. With these Institutions, we have provided services across areas such as, building strategic relationships with academic/corporate /industry associations, organization of industry focused study tours & teacher training programmes for special education teachers, school administrators & higher education administrators.

Unique understanding of the education sector in India and its challenges and opportunities arising from the firm’s hands on experience from advising clients in this sector

Network of relationships in this sector across educational institutions, government, academicians and PE funds focused on this area

Advising, developing and implementing entry strategy for overseas educational institutions, keeping in mind the regulatory framework in this sector

Organising road shows and seminars for overseas educational institutions and advising on marketing strategy Advising on alliances with Indian educational Institutions, doing the necessary due diligence and forging

relationships with overseas universities to bring programs to Indian shores in a partnership model Building global competitiveness in this sector by forging innovative partnerships with overseas universities,

through a wide range of modalities such as student & faculty exchange, research collaborations, twinning and dual degree programs

Identification of industrial groups, real estate developers interested in partnering with overseas universities/ business schools to set up an independent campus and developing the business plan and project report

Advising Indian educational institutions with overseas campuses on possible tie-ups with international universities/ business schools to enhance the quality of their program

Mapping Talent requirements in India for Universities and Business Schools across CEO/Vice – Chancellor, Senior faculty and Director level positions.

Schulich is one of only four schools in the world to be ranked in the top tier of both Executive Education categories (Open-Enrolment and Custom Programs) by the Economist Intelligence unit.

SEEC’s diverse range of programs tailored to the Indian market has included Negotiations, Strategic Leadership, Innovative Thinking and other top-talent development initiatives for clients in the hospitality, financial services and manufacturing sectors.

“The Schulich Executive Education Centre designed a program which met our specific needs through a balanced training solution that was a mix of global theory and practical experience. We look forward to continuing this positive relationship as we expand our leadership training initiatives.”

― Chandrani Chakraborty, HR Head, Markets & Banking, Citigroup India.

Quest actively develops & markets customized executive education programs to the corporate sector. Clients include, Citibank, Amex, Aditya Birla Group, TATA Group, Indian Hotels Ltd.

We offer work stations, communications access and secretarial support, to our clients, in the early stage of market development.

Office well located, near downtown business district, close to the offices of major banks and state government offices.

Enables the client, in the early stage of market development, to focus on the more important aspect of building their business.

Legal AZB Partners Desai & Diwanji Desai Desai Carrimjee & Mulla

Tax Advisory Firms BMR Advisory

Real Estate & Location Planning Cushman & Wakefield India Pvt. Ltd

Market Research ValueNotes

Closing the Chasm Between Strategy and Closing the Chasm Between Strategy and ImplementationImplementation

Quest Advantage Highly collaborative and participative approach leading to client

buy-in Structured, methodical and logical approach leading to effective

solutions Strong skills in implementing the recommendations we develop Deep industry expertise, robust database, research capabilities

and portfolio of corporate and government relationships. Quest Approach

Holistic and integrated approach Incise local knowledge and common sense approach Association with consultants of many disciplines who complement

in-house experience and provide a wide and comprehensive skill base

Shared vision with the client Primarily one-point contact

with identified management and relationship alternates

Focus. Focus. Focus. Deliberate niche focus to

ensure “anytime availability”. Extremely successful business model.

Small and effective management team enabling seamless information flow during the identification and research stages

Here’s what others are saying:

Rontu and Imran must be among the most well-connected consultants in India, whose connections run all the way to Canada — via the Persian Gulf. That’s been my experience with them over the years, for both my journalism as well as corporate responsibilities.

- Haroon Siddiqui,Editorial Page Editor Emeritus and Columnist,

The Toronto Star, Canada’s largest newspaper.

Quest Partners has been an invaluable associate of the Schulich School of Business for nearly a decade now.

Rontu Basu and Imran Panju are an integral part of our team in India and one of the keys to our success in that dynamic and rapidly growing part of the world. They helped us establish a foothold in India through the opening of our Satellite Centre in Mumbai in 2005, and were instrumental in helping us develop and execute our strategy for becoming one of the first leading schools from outside India to deliver an MBA within that country.

We value the rich market knowledge and strategic thinking they bring, as well as the access they provide to their extensive professional network in India. They have a demonstrated track record of successfully working with various levels of government, and they can always be counted on provide a high level of professional service and integrity in all of the work they do.

- Dezsö J. Horváth, PhD, CM,Dean & Tanna H. Schulich Chair in Strategic Management,

Schulich School of Business,York University (Toronto, Canada)

Quest Partners were instrumental in all phases of Harlequin enterprises assessing, planning, entering and succeeding in the India market. As an international company with offices in 15 countries, and sales in over 100 countries, Harlequin knows the international market. But the principals at Quest Partners were able to introduce us to all the people we needed to know as we developed our plans to invest in India. They then recruited all our local staff, and then acted as consultants to ensure our first year in India was a success. I highly recommend Quest Partners as consultants for any international company, considering entering the Indian market.

- Stephen Miles,Executive Vice President Overseas,

Harlequin, Toronto, Canada

Quest Partners and specifically Rontu and Imran have been invaluable in assisting MHS develop and execute our strategy for distribution in India. They clearly understand our business and unique value proposition putting them in a great position to leverage their extensive network and connections to help us grow. There are many opportunities for Canadian companies in India but it takes partners such as Rontu and Imran to guide organizations in turning this potential into revenue and profit. The Indian market is complex and the cultural differences significant. Investing in the relationship with Quest Partners was the smartest move MHS made in developing plans for India.

- Hazel Wheldon, M.A.Publisher, COO

Multi-Health Systems (MHS), Canada.

Imran is a true professional, highly intelligent, courteous and conscientious. Imran was instrumental in establishing our contact base and entry strategy into the Indian market. His sound, pragmatic guidance allowed us to avoid many of the pitfalls of many other MNCs entering this dynamic market. I would highly recommend anyone considering opportunities in India to speak with Imran first for an honest assessment.

- Andrew Go,Former Country Head – India,

Harlequin.

Registered Office Apeejay Chambers, 5 Wallace street, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001

Mumbai Corporate office: D 25 Dhanraj Mahal,

C.S.M Road, Apollo Bunder,Mumbai – 400 001. Tel: +91 22 66545660Fax +91 22 66545666

Branches : Bangalore Delhi Kolkatta

We would be delighted to work with you