SP JAIN GLOBAL BLOGS

The central theme of financial management is maximising value.  
 Across geographies, business decisions are made in the context of political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors, etc., some having higher influence over others in different situations. Owners and other stakeholders of the company need to understand whether the decisions have created the right outcome at the relevant time, or any course correction is required to meet the overall objective. 

Behind every fast-growing fintech lies a strong foundation of trust, and trust begins with compliance. For Stanford Cardoz (EMBA 2015), that’s more than a job description, it’s a career calling. From guiding one of the UAE’s first regulated crypto exchanges to now shaping the compliance strategy at Robinhood MENA, Stanford has been at the forefront of balancing innovation with responsibility. His story is not just about keeping pace with regulation, but about using it as a catalyst for growth. In this interview, he reflects on his journey, the challenges of leading in a rapidly changing sector, and how his SP Jain Global EMBA equipped him to bridge governance with innovation.

Markets today are not just volatile—they are structurally uncertain.

Geopolitical conflicts disrupt trade routes, cyberattacks destabilise digital systems, and trade or monetary policy shifts ripple through economies. Increasingly, risks arise from outside traditional financial models. For finance professionals—especially those early in their careers—risk advisory has evolved into a strategic discipline central to decision-making.

In today’s VUCA world—marked by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—corporates face relentless technological disruptions, global competition, and evolving investor expectations. In such an environment, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are no longer seen as optional or merely tactical. Instead, they have emerged as powerful strategic levers to unlock value, drive innovation, accelerate growth, and create sustainable wealth for stakeholders.

 It is overwhelming to enter the world of AI with the rise of competition in the field. When I first joined SP Jain School of Global Management, I was under the impression that acquiring coding skills would be enough for me to land a job in the data science sector.But it was later, when I interacted with my seniors and professors, that I realised that soft skills and technical skills both hold equal importance to enter the tech world.

Each year, August 14 is observed as Financial Awareness Day—a timely reminder of the importance of taking control of one’s financial journey. Financial literacy, often seen as a technical subject, is in fact a deeply personal life skill. From navigating uncertainty to making empowered choices, the ability to understand, plan, and manage money is what truly enables us to live with dignity and independence.

One of the greatest strengths of SP Jain Global’s Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs is that we don’t confine learning to four walls. With campuses across Sydney, Singapore, Mumbai, and Dubai, our students experience a truly global education—not just by attending classes but through Global Learning and Student Life that bring life, culture, and careers into focus.

 In a world defined by geopolitical tension, shifting trade alliances, accelerating technological disruption, and growing state intervention, business leaders are increasingly called upon to interpret and respond to forces beyond their immediate control. 

When it comes to pursuing a course like data science, the first word that instinctively pops up in our mind is ‘coding’. This was my first thought too, right until the first day. As the semester progressed, it soon become clear that this course is not just about the code – my first year was a journey brimming with discovering hidden potentials and enriching skills that not only helped me develop my coding abilities, but also helped prepare me for the corporate world.