Siddharth "Sidd" Saran

Sidd Saran is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with a track record of leading teams as CEO and board member, delivering impactful growth, profitability and return on investment metrics in businesses as varied as investment banking and industrial distribution.

Sidd standing on a rock surrounded by water

Leadership | Strategy | Finance | Technology

I see technology, finance and management as empowering forces. The combination is a super-force. Used correctly, these forces enable us to do more, individually and collectively, and improve society.

I have a track record of using these forces to engineer impactful change. When I led Salem Steel, a mid-market industrial product distributor, as CEO and board member, we increased the profitability and valuation of the company by several multiples within two years. Previously, when I led the tech and business services sectors within the financial sponsors and leveraged finance group at UBS Investment Bank, we grew revenue in multiples within two years.

At Orca Advisory I am currently working on developing and launching two software products that use artificial intelligence to address unmet market needs and enhance productivity. I also work with mid-market and early-stage companies to enhance growth, particularly through the appropriate use of capital, technology and management best practices.

I am active in the local community as a volunteer in our town's Emergency Medical Services. I also enjoy adventure sports including triathlons and SCUBA diving.

Experience

From my time in investment banking at UBS and Credit Suisse, consulting and general management roles, I have worked with over 80 companies during expansionary and recessionary times. I specialize in technology and services sectors and also have experience in distribution, aerospace, shipping, printing, power and utilities, and manufacturing.

Cover page of astrophysics paper co-authored by Sidd

Education

I studied physics (Middlebury College) because it enhanced my ability to think. I studied engineering (Dartmouth College) because it enabled me to build. I studied management (The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania) because it taught me about my own leadership style, how to energize a team and deploy its power. I continue to learn artificial intelligence, cloud engineering, full-stack app development and marketing.

Activities

I strongly believe in volunteering and contributing to society. It keeps also me healthy and sane. I do triathlons because every workout reminds me how much scope there is for improvement; and that ambitious goals are attainable with patience and persistence.