Meet our globetrotter, Partha! His Hellmann journey began 13 years ago in Dubai. After three years, he became General Manager of Finance for Hellmann UAE. In 2019, he moved to India as Country CFO, shaping financial strategies for five years. Since September 2023, he has been Regional CFO for East Europe at Hellmann Austria. Now based in Vienna with his wife and daughter, he reports to Piotr Zaleski, Regional CEO for East Europe.

 

Hi Partha, what motivated you to move to Vienna? 

The biggest motivation for me was undoubtedly the people I met along the way. Of course, the opportunity also came as a recognition of my work — work that was only possible with the support of my team and the trust of the company. Being offered this position felt like a great next step.

Meeting Piotr was particularly inspiring. We had meaningful conversations and an immediate connection. On top of that, my mentors, Madhav Kurup (former Regional CEO IMEA, now COO Airfreight, Seafreight, Contract Logistics), Rouba ElAkhdar (CFO IMEA), and Shubhendu Das (Country Managing Director India), encouraged me to take this step, assuring me it would be a great move at this stage of my career.

With all of this in mind, I decided to seize the opportunity and explore life on the other side of the world. Having spent most of my career in Asia, I was eager to experience the West — not just for my professional development, but also for personal growth.

Has it been easy for you to integrate into your new work environment and the new country?

The first few days were a bit challenging, especially as the work culture here differs from what I was accustomed to during my time with Hellmann Dubai and Hellmann India. However, having supportive colleagues like Piotr and the team members who joined alongside me made a big difference. The global team also provided valuable insights and assistance, which helped me adapt more smoothly. Finally getting to meet people I had previously only corresponded with over email made the transition much easier.

Moving here permanently with my family has been a significant change. It hasn’t always been easy, but that’s part of the journey – adapting, learning, and growing every day. Approaching challenges with a positive mindset has made the experience both fulfilling and rewarding. Integration takes time, but it’s about finding your rhythm and continuously improving along the way.

What did you miss most from home?

I definitely miss my folks, friends, and of course, the food. Being a vegetarian – so no meat or fish – is quite a challenge here in Austria, as traditional Austrian cuisine is very meat-heavy. It’s also tricky to find food that matches the flavors I’m used to, but I’m managing and surviving!

That said, I’ve started discovering quite a few vegan options, and I’ve noticed that Austria is adapting as well, with more alternatives becoming common. It’s a good sign – and it’s definitely making things a bit easier.

What do you love most about living in Vienna?

What I love most about Vienna is the nature. During summer, it’s absolutely beautiful – the last summer was amazing, and it brought such a pleasant and refreshing atmosphere. It also gave us the opportunity to explore several neighboring countries. Thanks to Vienna’s central location, my family and I could easily travel to places like Salzburg, Prague, Munich, and Budapest. It’s fascinating to see the history we’ve read about come to life in these iconic locations.
Winter, however, has its own unique charm. I’ve heard mixed opinions about winter here, but experiencing snow and the cozy winter markets is definitely something special.

So yes, for me, it’s the combination of nature and Vienna’s central location that I truly enjoy – it allows us to explore, travel, and experience so much more.

How does a perfect day-off look like for you in Vienna?

That’s actually been one of the biggest cultural differences for us. A typical workday is pretty straightforward – drop my kid at school, head to the office, and then back home. But weekends here take a bit more planning, especially since most shops are closed on Sundays.

Back in India, we’re used to stores being open 24/7, but here, they close as early as 7:00 pm. Sometimes, by the time you finish work, it’s already too late. So, Saturdays have become our main shopping day – we plan ahead, make a list, and stock up for the week.

On weekends, we’ve also been taking the time to explore Vienna and nearby areas. Looking ahead, we’re hoping to try skiing as a family. None of us have ever done it before, but it’s something we’re excited to experience in the coming months. Fingers crossed!

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! Is there anything else you would like to add before we say goodbye?

Before we conclude, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family. My wife and I got married in 2012, and since then, she and our daughter have been my pillars of support – especially through our move to Vienna. While this journey was primarily driven by professional reasons, it was their unwavering encouragement and love that made the transition smoother and more enjoyable. I am deeply thankful to them for standing by me and for making every step of this adventure truly memorable.

Thanks a lot for sharing your story with us, Partha! 

 

 

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