We Don’t Just Consult. We Co-Create Change.
Candid Core was founded on a simple belief: that real transformation begins at the core — of organizations, of leadership, and of purpose.
With decades of HR leadership experience across 14+ countries — and a strong consulting network in India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand — we bring both strategic depth and regional insight to every engagement.
We work with organizations navigating growth, change, or complexity. Our approach blends strategic clarity with grounded execution, and our solutions are always shaped by context, not convention.
At Candid Core, we don’t sell one-size-fits-all answers. We come in as thinking partners — offering practical frameworks, honest reflection, and support that stays through execution.
We value:
- Clarity over jargon
- Trust over noise
- Long-term impact over short-term fixes
We aim to be remembered not just for the solutions we offer — but for the substance behind them.
To partner with leaders and organizations in shaping purposeful growth — through clarity, capability, and culture.
To be a trusted advisor in building future-ready leadership and human-centered organizations.
We keep it simple — our core belief:
Be Prepared. Stay Candid. Build Trust.
Candid Core
Strategy. People. Possibilities.
“Candid Core” is inspired by the essence of authenticity and impact — a clear connection between people, purpose, and performance.
Rooted in the belief that candor drives meaningful change, the name reflects our mission: to align strategy with action, culture with leadership, and ambition with grounded execution.
It embodies clarity, trust, and transformation — exactly what we aim to foster for every leader and organization we serve.
Candid Core symbolizes our role as a trusted partner — guiding with insight, connecting with empathy, and shaping what truly matters.
Guidance from a Guru
Wisdom That Grounds Our Work
Dr PV Ramana Murthy
Independent Director | C-Suite Coach and HR Consultant | Adjunct Professor | Bestselling Author| Former Global CHRO – Indian Hotels Company Ltd (Taj) | Former CHRO – India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, Coca- Cola.
At the heart of Candid Core’s journey is the enduring influence of my mentor and guide, PV — a visionary leader whose wisdom has shaped not only my own professional path but also the foundational values of our firm.
With a distinguished career spanning close to four decades, PV has held transformative leadership roles in both global and Indian enterprises — including as Global CHRO of the Indian Hotels Company (Taj), and CHRO for India, Nepal, and Bangladesh at Coca-Cola. The author of the bestselling book The Power of Humility, currently serving as an Adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business on Organization Development (OD), and an Independent Director on several prominent boards, his insights continue to shape the evolving landscape of leadership and people strategy.
“His continued guidance is one of the invisible pillars of Candid Core — offering clarity, grounding, and perspective when it matters most.” – GVRK Raju
Founded Candid Core with purpose.
After three decades in HR leadership roles — working across 14 countries, navigating transformation, growth, and complexity — I realized something simple but powerful:
What truly moves organizations forward isn’t just a strategy or structure. It’s clarity. Clarity of purpose, people, and culture.
Candid Core was born from that insight — and from a desire to work in ways that are both strategic and human. This isn’t a consulting firm that simply delivers frameworks. It’s a practice built to stand beside leaders, in real contexts, helping them think, act, and lead with intent.
The name itself reflects what I value:
Candid – Truth, trust, and the courage to say what matters.
Core – Solving for what lies beneath the surface — where lasting change happens.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from global experiences and inspiring mentors, but some of the most meaningful lessons have come from working closely with frontline teams, family businesses, and HR professionals navigating complex realities. My hope is that Candid Core becomes a place where clarity meets care, and expertise meets execution.
Thank you for being here. I look forward to working with you — not just on a project, but on a journey that matters.
G.V.R.K. Raju
Founder | HR Leader | Coach | Transformation Partner
“I founded Candid Core to bring clarity, care, and execution to the heart of transformation.”
A Trusted Network Across Borders
Bringing local insight with regional depth
– from India to Southeast Asia
Jonathan Low
Transforming Global & Regional Organizations | Conf Keynote Speaker & Executive Coach | Leadership Development | Sales Excellence | Service Quality | Malaysia’s First Global Speaking Fellow | 40+ Countries | MG 100Coaches
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jonathan is a Global Speaking Fellow, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), Master Certified Coach (MCC), and one of Asia’s top Sales, Service, and Leadership Optimisers. With over 25 years of executive experience, he empowers leaders and teams worldwide to improve sales performance, service quality, leadership communication, and team development. Known for his high-energy, insightful keynotes and coaching, Jonathan helps clients accelerate self-awareness, drive intentional growth, and achieve measurable results across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America
Kedar Vashi
Executive Coach | Global Master Facilitator I Storytelling Coach to CXOs I Keynote Speaker I Author
Mumbai, India
Kedar is a seasoned leadership coach and development expert with over 30 years of versatile experience across industries such as Banking, Packaging, Consulting, Training, and FMCG.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kedar has worked in roles spanning sales, human resources, and consulting, both locally and internationally, including prominent organizations like Coca-Cola and Dale Carnegie. His approach to leadership development is deeply grounded in real-world business insights and a strong customer and business orientation, shaped by extensive global exposure across geographies such as the US, Europe and South East Asia
Recognized for his/her expertise, Kedar] has been invited to present at the ATD Global Convention and has co-authored a book alongside leadership development experts from around the world. Above all, he is admired for the meaningful impact made on countless leaders, whose success stories continue to inspire and define his professional journey.
Adrian Flude
Co-Founder Omnergy | Driving Transformational GROWTH through Insightful Consulting & Digital Strategies
Singapore
Adrian specialises in guiding individuals and organizations through pivotal transformations, applying strategic clarity to achieve purposeful growth.
He leverages extensive expertise gained from supporting professionals from leading F500 companies including Intel, Google, Meta, GSK, and Coca-Cola, and SME businesses from SEA, EU and beyond. Adrian’s approach focuses on tailored strategies for growth and developing robust digital frameworks, aligning with Candid Core’s commitment to grounded execution and human-centered solutions.
Areas: Transformational Consulting, Digital Strategy, Career Coaching, Leadership Development, Organizational Effectiveness.
Rashmi Sharma
Former Sr. Director, Coca-Cola | Leadership & Wellbeing Expert
Bangkok, Thailand
Rashmi is a seasoned leadership facilitator with extensive global leadership experience across organizations such as Coca Cola, Unilever, IBM, Aon & Vodafone-Idea.
Rashmi is passionate about igniting a global conversation on helping leaders reframe their leadership mindsets, prioritize mental health, and unlock peak performance.
Areas: Top Team Effectiveness, Senior leadership development, Communication, Talent development, Generative AI in HR
Words By our Amazing Clients
Voice from the journey
Our Values – CANDID
We care deeply. We listen closely.
We create meaningful, lasting impact.
1
C – Clarity
2
A –Agility
3
N – Nurture
4
D – Dedication
5
I – Integrity
6
D – Drive
Candid Core brings 30+ years of experience, backed by a team of 200 exceptional business professionals—
all united by a shared dream of creating meaningful impact across their respective fields of management.
Our skills are the main reasons why clients choose us
HR Strategy & Compliance
Organizational Culture
Investment Analysis
Candid Core provides a comprehensive range of consultancy and training services in data analysis, business strategy, and operational consulting. We empower startups and new ventures with strategic insights and practical tools to accelerate growth and impact.