August 2021: Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar, Managing Director & CEO, CreditAccess Grameen Ltd, has been recognized as one of India’s Top 50 Best Leaders in Times of Crisis 2021, by the Great Place to Work® Institute in the large employers’ category!

The Covid-19 pandemic challenged conventional working paradigms and ushered in a new normal for both organisations and employees. Great Place to Work® Institute conducted a study to gain insights into how businesses dealt with the VUCA environment exacerbated by the pandemic. Leadership teams were evaluated on parameters like agility, decisiveness, and adaptability to suit the current needs, ensure employee wellbeing, and successfully tide through the COVID-19 crisis. The study was then validated through a brief impact survey to gain a better understanding of employee experiences during these trying times.

The study recognized Mr. Hebbar for demonstrating exemplary leadership and sustaining a High-Trust High-Performance Culture TM in the organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under his guidance, CA Grameen responded swiftly to various challenges posed by the pandemic. It had extended its support to frontline COVID warriors, customers, and employees through several initiatives. The company supplied COVID protection essentials to over 8 lakh beneficiaries like frontline warriors viz. medical personnel, sanitation workers, as well as its customers. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the company has consistently served its customers and supported millions of low-income households across the nation. It has ensured timely and uncurtailed delivery of employee benefits, performance appraisals, growth opportunities and support to its employees through medical insurance, COVID paid leaves, vaccination reimbursement, vaccination camps, etc.

Employee wellbeing is a top priority for the company, and it strives to foster gender-equal work culture and opportunities. Approximately 98% of our workforce is recruited from local communities. Our learning and development systems promote both personal and professional enhancement of our workforce. It has aided us in maintaining a lower employee attrition rate than the industry average and retaining 14,399 people.

Under Mr. Hebbar’s leadership, CA Grameen has grown across various fronts over the last decade, becoming the largest MFI in India. With this solid foundation, we are confident of accomplishing many more milestones, including our vision of serving 10 million low-income households by 2025. Team CA Grameen is grateful to GPW® for honouring Mr. Udaya Kumar with this prestigious recognition.