Our Shared Services Centre in India (ISSC) has made solid progress in data and operational discipline and its focus now turns to execution, automation and talent development.
2025 was a year of laying the groundwork for ISSC – building the right infrastructure, embedding the right mindset and creating the conditions for sustainable, scalable excellence.
That focus was reflected in the consolidation of teams into an expanded office space in Mumbai last April. Bringing colleagues together on a single floor helped support closer collaboration and more aligned ways of working, setting the tone for a year centred on clarity and discipline.
One of the main goals in 2025 was to prioritise data and transparency. The ISSC shifted from relying on subjective evaluations to making decisions based on data, introducing live Workforce Performance and Spend Analysis dashboards. These dashboards offer real-time insights into operations, supporting better resource management and enabling more informed, data-based conversations with business units.
Alongside stronger data discipline, operational excellence became a central theme. Working closely with the Process Excellence team, the ISSC introduced a new framework for Standard Operating Procedures. By documenting and standardising core processes, the Centre improved consistency and established a delivery model capable of scaling with confidence.
One of the most notable achievements in 2025 was the launch of the Continuous Improvement (CI) Programme. The initiative gave colleagues a platform to identify inefficiencies and propose practical solutions. More than 42 validated improvement ideas were put forward, many with the potential to eliminate thousands of hours of manual work. The programme reinforced the value of employee led improvement and frontline ownership.
Reflecting on the year, Tushar Gawande, Director of ISSC, highlighted the importance of building strong foundations for our shared services hub:
“2025 was the year we built the engine for our future growth. We moved from anecdotal feedback to data driven insights, giving us a true picture of our performance and costs. The success of the Continuous Improvement programme was a testament to the incredible talent within our teams—they didn’t just embrace the challenge, they owned it. With our new Automation Team being formed, we are now ready to turn those ideas into tangible productivity gains for the entire organisation.”
With these foundations in place, the focus for 2026 shifts from preparation to execution, anchored on two pillars: Automation and Talent. Both are aligned to the corporate goal of delivering a 4% productivity improvement.
On automation, a four-member working group has been established to translate CI ideas into tangible outcomes. Drawing on capabilities across Microsoft Power Platform, robotic process automation, Python and machine learning, the team will focus on removing repetitive, manual tasks from day-to-day operations. The objective is not to replace people, but to elevate roles by freeing teams to concentrate on higher value work that requires judgement and expertise.
Talent development forms the second pillar of ISSC’s 2026 strategy. Launching in Q1 2026, the ISSC Graduate Trainee Programme will offer structured career pathways for fresh graduates, combining departmental rotations, formal training and clear development plans. It will also create opportunities for experienced team members to strengthen their leadership capabilities through mentoring and coaching.
For Swapnodeep Mondal, Group Managing Director of Operations & Shared Services, the ISSC’s progress reflects a year of robust growth in process, data and ways of working.
“I am incredibly proud of what the ISSC team has achieved in such a short time. In 2025, they built a strong foundation of process, data and culture. 2026 is about converting that potential into performance—by working smarter, empowering our people and staying true to our principle of always doing the right things.”
Through continuous investment in technology, processes, and talent, the ISSC is prepared to take on a larger strategic role within Anglo-Eastern, supporting operational efficiency and creating greater value in the evolving field of ship management.
If you are interested in knowing more about our services and offerings, including but not limited to ship management, crew management, newbuilding services, and innovative projects onboard our managed fleet, feel free to contact us.
