Ashish Bhagat is a seasoned chief operating officer and strategic business leader with over 25 years of expertise in financial strategy, corporate transformation, and global operations. With a proven track record of leading large-scale business transitions, financial optimization, and go-to-market strategies, Ashish has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of multinational organizations across the technology industry and beyond. His career spans executive leadership roles at Hitachi Vantara and Hitachi Ltd., where he has led strategic finance, budgeting, P&L management, and market expansion initiatives to drive sustained growth and profitability.
Currently serving as chief operating officer at Hitachi Vantara, Ashish is responsible for overseeing the company’s business operations, financial performance, and transformation strategies. He plays a critical role in optimizing pricing strategies, deal structuring, IT and security governance, and integrated business analytics to enhance operational efficiency and scalability. Prior to his current role, he served as chief transformation officer for the digital infrastructure business unit, where he led organizational realignments, financial restructuring, and global cost optimization initiatives, significantly improving business margins and long-term growth prospects.
Before stepping into his current leadership roles, Ashish held several high-impact financial and transformation positions within the Hitachi group of companies, including SVP finance strategy & operations, chief transformation officer – finance at Hitachi Ltd., and senior vice president, enterprise operations & transformation at Hitachi Vantara. In these capacities, he managed large-scale corporate budgeting, financial planning, and acquisition integration while leading cross-functional teams to execute operational excellence and growth strategies.
Ashish has also played a vital role in structuring and negotiating multi-million-dollar deals, implementing pricing strategies for complex global markets, and designing data-driven financial models that optimize investment decisions. His expertise in strategic financial management, M&A integration, and new market expansion has helped companies successfully navigate evolving business landscapes, regulatory frameworks, and global economic shifts.
With extensive international experience across Japan, India, China, Australia, and Europe, Ashish possesses a deep understanding of global business ecosystems, enabling him to drive culturally attuned transformation initiatives and international expansion strategies. His ability to bridge financial objectives with operational execution has earned him a reputation as a trusted, results-oriented executive capable of driving long-term business success.
Ashish holds a bachelor of arts in business-economics with a minor in accounting from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is also a certified public accountant (inactive since December 2017), demonstrating his strong foundation in financial governance, auditing, and regulatory compliance.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ashish is deeply passionate about leadership, mentorship, and fostering high-performance teams. His collaborative leadership style, commitment to transparency, and ability to navigate complex business challenges make him an invaluable asset to any organization seeking financial and operational excellence.
Ashish is currently seeking board opportunities where he can leverage his expertise in finance, transformation, and corporate strategy to help companies optimize growth, improve financial health, and expand into new markets. With his strategic vision, global experience, and data-driven decision-making approach, he is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to organizations aiming for sustainable growth and competitive advantage in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Character: Ashish Bhagat is a results-driven and integrity-focused leader who values transparency, accountability, and collaboration in driving business success.
Knowledge: With 25 years of expertise in financial strategy, corporate transformation, and global operations, he has a deep understanding of business optimization, P&L management, and market expansion.
Strategic: Ashish excels in leading large-scale business transformations, optimizing pricing and go-to-market strategies, and executing financial and operational initiatives that drive sustainable growth.
Communication: He effectively bridges financial objectives with operational execution, translating complex business insights into clear strategies for stakeholders, executives, and cross-functional teams.
