About
Satyabrata Das
Strategic Finance Advisor for CEOs, CFOs & Founders. Profitability, Cash Flow, Valuation, Investment Appraisal & Deal Structuring.
Ex-CFO, CCO & Subsidiary CEO, a listed marketing & communications group
I spent 29 years in senior finance roles — most notably as Executive Director Finance and Board Member of a publicly listed marketing and communications group across 18 countries in Africa. I managed a $200M+ P&L across 56 entities, led cross-border M&A totalling ~$90M, and executed an ~$80M cash flow turnaround.
My operating experience spans a global industrial conglomerate (manufacturing finance, a decade), a global advertising and media network (media finance), and a publicly listed marketing and communications group (agency leadership across four roles — Deputy CFO, Chief Commercial Officer, CEO of media buying across Sub-Saharan Africa, and Executive Director Finance).
I have worked across India, Africa and Europe — including complex cross-border, cross-cultural and regulated environments where finance decisions were tied to currency risk, governance, market entry, restructuring and commercial pressure.
I now bring that depth to mid-market companies that need enterprise-grade finance capability without the enterprise headcount. My work spans three modes:
Strategic Finance Diagnostic — A focused review to identify the financial issues, risks and decisions that need attention.
Monthly CFO Intelligence — Monthly review, reporting and financial interpretation for leaders who need better visibility and discipline.
Embedded Strategic Finance Advisory — Ongoing CFO-level support for businesses facing growth, restructuring, funding, market entry, valuation or complex commercial decisions.
If your business has numbers, but not enough financial clarity — I can help.
Watch the introduction
60 Seconds. No Scripts. Just the Truth.
29 years · 56 entities · 18 countries — in 60 seconds.
Career
29 Years Across Three Continents
May 2025 – Present
Gurugram · Warsaw
Founder & Strategic Finance Advisor
Phoenix SSA Sp. z o.o. / Halfpace Consultants
Strategic finance advisory for CEOs, CFOs, founders and business owners across markets. Profitability, cash flow, valuation, investment appraisal, deal structuring, negotiation preparation, board reporting, governance and cross-border expansion.
Oct 2023 – Mar 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Finance Director — European Operations
A cross-border food-tech venture
Led finance and operational restructuring for a cross-border joint venture in a complex regulatory and geopolitical environment.
Feb 2022 – Sep 2023
Gurugram, India
Principal Partner
A startup accelerator and venture builder
Advised startups on fundraising readiness, business model evaluation, strategic partnerships, acceleration opportunities and geographic expansion.
Feb 2018 – May 2021
Nairobi, Kenya
Executive Director — Finance & Board Member
A publicly listed marketing & communications group
Led regional finance, governance, investor reporting and financial discipline across a listed multinational group — 56 entities, 18 countries, Sub-Saharan Africa. Led ERP transformation, SOX-aligned internal controls, and transactions totalling ~$90M.
Dec 2015 – Feb 2018
Nairobi, Kenya
CEO — Regional Media Buying & Chief Commercial Officer
A publicly listed marketing & communications group
Led the regional business through executive instability, market disruption and commercial pressure across Sub-Saharan Africa, with ~$200M+ P&L exposure.
Feb 2011 – Feb 2018
Nairobi, Kenya
Chief Commercial Officer
A publicly listed marketing & communications group
Led ~$80M cash-flow turnaround through stronger revenue modelling, receivables discipline and cash flow governance. Designed and negotiated multi-country commercial contracts.
Sep 2005 – Jan 2009
Mumbai, India
Finance Controller
A global advertising and media network
Managed finance, cash flow, reporting and commercial support for media and advertising services during a period of industry change.
LinkedIn recommendations
What Senior Leaders Say
Written on LinkedIn by colleagues, clients, and business leaders across three continents.
Satya is one of a kind. Stellar in finance and commercial, sharp like a whip. He taught me everything I know about commercial and finance — it was like a PhD from an Ivy League university! Satya is diligent, strategic but understands the operational aspects of a business. He is a leader — not just in the coaching and mentoring elements — but in driving the highest level of technical knowledge. The smartest systems, and the most effective and efficient processes. From working with Satya as a GM in Tanzania to leading a major media agency as an MD and working across the continent side by side, I would recommend Satya always. Stellar. Methodical. Strategic. All with a human and people first hand.
Serah Mwikali Katusya
CEO & Growth Strategist · Cannes Lions Jury · WARC Jury
Satyabrata is a results-driven professional who combines technical expertise with strategic thinking and genuine leadership. He consistently delivers high-quality work, communicates clearly with stakeholders, and mentors peers to elevate team performance. Any organization would benefit from his contributions.
Bony DASHACO
President · DASHACO Holdings Africa
One of the finest business driven commercial controller, CFO and Executive Director I have worked with. Always in pursuit of growth, Satya always pushed the finance function to be a partner to business leadership. I am yet to experience that clarity of purpose, zest for learning, and honesty to the organisation's goals that Satya demonstrated over several years of our work together. He is an asset to any organisation he is part of.
Sandeep Madan
Co-founder & CEO · The Partnership Africa
He is an exceptionally brilliant mind with a rare ability to combine strong commercial and financial acumen with outstanding leadership. What sets Satya apart is not just his intelligence or experience, but the way he leads people. He is humble, patient, and always willing to invest his time in helping others grow. He leads with wisdom, empathy, and confidence. Any team or organisation would be fortunate to have someone of Satya's calibre, character, and integrity.
Runal Patel
Managing Director · Yellow Agency
What I really value is how he combines deep financial expertise with strong commercial instinct. He's a ninja with negotiations, able to cut through complexity and get to what really matters for the business. He's also very strategic in his thinking, and consistently comes up with solutions that are well thought through, practical, and grounded in real experience. I'd highly recommend Satya to anyone looking for a finance leader with real business acumen.
Ketaki Banga
CEO & Strategic Advisor
Why this exists
Most businesses cannot afford senior commercial and finance judgment when they need it. The advisory practice exists to change that. The AI tools exist to make the delivery faster, deeper, and more consistent.