Paytm’s billionaire CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma faces greatest check since IPO dud

The billionaire founding father of Paytm faces an important check of investor confidence Friday, when shareholders will determine whether or not they need him on the helm of a fintech pioneer that made one of many worst debuts in Indian historical past.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s function because the chief govt officer is among the many gadgets to be voted on on the firm’s annual common assembly held just about this afternoon. A proxy advisory agency final week really useful that shareholders substitute the founder as CEO, citing considerations about his capacity to reverse losses on the funds supplier.

Paytm, the poster boy for India’s tech startups, has misplaced greater than 60% of its worth since its high-profile preliminary public providing in November because it has struggled to persuade traders of its earnings potential. In an interview final month, Sharma, 44, stated Paytm is ready to change into India’s first web firm to hit $1 billion in annual income and pledged a shift from development towards profitability.

Shareholders ought to vote in opposition to Sharma’s reappointment, and the board should usher in knowledgeable to the function, Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd. stated final week. Before itemizing, Sharma, on a number of situations, publicly talked concerning the firm turning worthwhile, and but it hasn’t occurred even at an operational stage, the agency stated.

Paytm, listed on the bourses as One 97 Communications Ltd., counts Ant Group Co.’s Antfin (Netherlands) Holding BV., SoftBank Group Corp. and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board amongst its prime shareholders. Of the dozen analysts protecting the agency, six have a purchase ranking, whereas three every suggest maintain and promote on the inventory.