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Governance & guidance

Academic Guidance Committee

Finabler Academy is supported by experienced insurance professionals and academics who bring extensive knowledge across general insurance, health insurance, claims, underwriting, risk management, finance, marketing, actuarial science, technology and leadership.

Dr. Balla Swamy

Former General Manager & Director, The New India Assurance Company Ltd.

Senior general insurance leadership across India and international operations.

Former General Manager & Director, The New India Assurance Company Ltd., Dr. Balla Swamy brings extensive senior-level experience in the general insurance industry, including leadership roles in India and international insurance operations. He has also served as Managing Director & CEO of Prestige Assurance Plc, Lagos, Nigeria. He is presently working as a Consultant – Insurance, providing professional expertise and strategic guidance to the insurance sector.

Neera Saxena

Former MD & CEO, GIC Housing Finance Ltd. · 36 years in insurance

Claims, underwriting, risk management and governance at board level across insurance and TPA companies.

A senior insurance professional with 36 years of experience across general insurance, health insurance, claims, underwriting, risk management and financial services. She has held senior leadership positions including Managing Director & CEO, GIC Housing Finance Ltd., General Manager – Technical, National Insurance Company Ltd., and Director on the Boards of insurance and TPA companies. She brings strong expertise in insurance operations, claims management, financial inclusion, business strategy and governance, along with experience in international insurance operations in Singapore.

R. Nidyanandan

Former Regional Manager, United India Insurance Company Ltd. · FIII (Non-Life), LIII (Life)

Thirty-nine years across underwriting, claims, accounts, marketing and IT.

A former Regional Manager of United India Insurance Company Ltd. with 39 years of extensive experience in the general insurance industry, covering underwriting, claims, accounts, marketing and information technology. He is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India (Non-Life) and a Licentiate of the Insurance Institute of India (Life). He has also served as faculty at the Coimbatore Insurance Institute and Regional Training Centre, and has extensive experience in training officers and agents, including conducting promotion examination classes for officers of four Public Sector General Insurance Companies.

Dr. Latha Balachandra

Ph.D. in Insurance · 31 years of teaching experience

Academic authority in insurance, cost accounting, taxation and marketing.

A Ph.D. in Insurance and has 31 years of teaching experience, with academic expertise in insurance, cost accounting, taxation and marketing. A former Head of Department at Nirmala College, Coimbatore, she has also served as a Research Guide and contributed to academic assessment as a Committee Member for paper setting for Avinashilingam University, Periyar University and Annamalai University.

K. Prabaharan

MBA · FIII · B.L. · Former Senior Divisional Manager, The New India Assurance

National faculty on risk and management; guest faculty in actuarial science.

An MBA, Fellowship in Insurance (FIII) and a Degree in Law (BL), with extensive experience in the insurance sector as a former Senior Divisional Manager, The New India Assurance Company Ltd. He has served as a National Faculty on Risk and Management and as Guest Faculty in Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science, while also contributing as a member of Boards of Studies in universities and B-Schools. He brings strong expertise in risk management, leadership, communication, HRM, TQM, CRM, emotional intelligence and entrepreneurship development.

Akshata Yashpalsinh Thakore

BBA Actuarial Science, Temple University · Actuarial Manager, Curative

Eight actuarial examinations cleared, progressing towards FSA designation.

A BBA in Actuarial Science from Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, and has successfully cleared eight actuarial examinations, progressing towards the prestigious Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) designation. She began her career as an Actuarial Analyst at Excess Reinsurance (USA) and subsequently spent nearly four years with The Cigna Group, advancing to Senior Actuarial Analyst. She is currently an Actuarial Manager at Curative, contributing to innovative healthcare and actuarial solutions.

V. V. Vendhen

Former Head – Bancassurance, Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd. · 39 years

Bancassurance, channel development and corporate business leadership.

A seasoned insurance professional with over 39 years of experience across General Insurance, Retail, Bancassurance, Corporate Business and General Management. He has held senior leadership positions including Head – Bancassurance (Innovation & Excellence) at Universal Sompo General Insurance Co. Ltd., where he led strategic initiatives, strengthened bank partnerships and developed innovative insurance solutions for corporate agents. His career also includes serving as Business Head – Tamil Nadu & Kerala at Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd. and beginning his professional journey with The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. as a Direct Recruit Officer. He brings extensive expertise in bancassurance, channel development, business strategy, relationship management, team leadership and insurance operations, with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and driving sustainable business growth.

Xavier S. Arputharaj

Chartered Insurer · Former Deputy CEO & Director of Projects, Orient Insurance

Insurance technologist across India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE; digital transformation leader.

A Chartered Insurer and Insurance Technologist with extensive experience in the general insurance industry across India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He began his career with The New India Assurance Company Ltd. as a Direct Recruit Officer and also served as a member of its Training Faculty. He later gained international insurance experience with Norwich Union in Saudi Arabia and Orient Insurance, Al Futtaim Group, UAE, where he retired as Deputy CEO & Director of Projects in December 2025. During his tenure, he spearheaded major transformation initiatives including digitalisation, process automation, paperless operations and the integration of AI technologies. He has also undertaken executive education with institutions including INSEAD, IMD, Berlitz and Microsoft, and co-founded LEGACY in Saudi Arabia, focusing on developing communication, public speaking, writing and social etiquette skills among school children.

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