On Growth Trajectory: Balfour Manuel, MD, Blue Dart
In May 2019, Balfour Manuel was appointed managing director of Blue Dart Express for a period of five years. Since taking charge as MD, Manuel has led the organisation successfully with a strategic vision and a focus on customers with inclusive execution of customer-centric value propositions, thereby consolidating Blue Dart’s leadership position in the marketplace.
Manuel oversees the organisation’s market differentiating capabilities which includes an extensive ground and air network supported by the organisation’s own fleet of aircraft which allows access to 35,000-plus locations across the nation.
People-first Philosophy
A passionate believer in the saying that people create differentiated experiences, Manuel has constantly propagated ‘PeopleFirst’ philosophy in the organisation by encouraging creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and empowerment.
Under his leadership, Blue Dart remains one of India’s most innovative and awarded express logistics companies. Manuel holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from University of Mumbai.
Profit Grows 4x
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, Blue Dart Express reported nearly a four-fold jump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 382.21 crore. It had reported a net profit of Rs 101.81 crore in FY21. Its revenues from operations for the entire fiscal grew 34.13 per cent to Rs 4,410.49 crore. It was Rs 3,288.13 crore in the previous financial year.
Commenting on the financials for FY22 Manuel said: "Throughout the year, we have shown outstanding resilience, responsiveness and reliability for all our stakeholders, which is mirrored in our Q4 and year-end financial performance. Our focus on remaining customer-first, investing in our technology capabilities and thus, remaining agile in a VUCA environment, has helped the company improve its margins. FY22 has been a rewarding year."
He added: "We continue to remain an insanely customer-centric organisation, and therefore, innovation to deliver excellence at every touchpoint continues to remain a major priority.”
