Category: Leaders

ENTREPRENEUR PAR EXCELLENCE

Mr. Manish Saxena, the CEO and Founder of Meraki Projects (India) Private Limited, is a seasoned leader with over 35 years of experience in the consulting industry. His expertise lies in strategically planning and managing complex projects from design to implementation and ensuring adherence to specifications within the stipulated time frame. Guided by the vision of his late wife, Mrs. Madhvi Saxena, he has expanded Meraki Projects’ footprint to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the USA, fearlessly actualising and validating his aspirations to sculpt and revolutionise the firm’s future

“AT MERAKI PROJECTS, WE PRIORITISE OUR EMPLOYEES’ FAMILIES ABOVE ALL ELSE. WE ALSO ENSURE OUR TEAM’S JOB SECURITY BUT AS THE SECOND PRIORITY. THIS APPROACH INSTILS CONFIDENCE IN OUR TEAM AND ALLOWS THEM TO FOCUS ON THEIR FAMILIES WITHOUT JOB-RELATED CONCERN”

Mr. Manish Saxena is a well-versed leader with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Shri Govind Ram Seksaria Institute of Technology & Science, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. He commenced his career in 1989 as a site engineer. Since then, he has ascended through the ranks to assume roles such as Project Manager, General Manager, and Director of Projects, in diverse organisations across industries. Throughout his career, the tenacious leader has undertaken complex projects and achieved success with both skill and flair. His rich experience and expertise make him a revered figure in the business landscape.

MAKING SIGNIFICANT STRIDES

Through Meraki Projects, Mr. Saxena aims to deliver cost-effective, supreme quality, and reliable engineering consulting services by maintaining complete transparency and integrity with the stakeholders, i.e., clients, suppliers, vendors, and contractors.

Meraki Projects was founded in 2017 by Mr. Saxena and his late wife Mrs. Madhvi Saxena, who was the company’s Managing Director. Under the leadership of its founders, the ISO 9001-2015 certified firm, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, quickly became a force to be reckoned with in India’s engineering consulting sector. With a robust presence in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Meraki Projects continues to redefine industry standards by delivering cutting-edge solutions across diverse project domains and industries in India. Under Mr. Saxena’s direction, the organisation has successfully completed over 250 projects to date and accumulated an impressive 7,00,000 man-hours. It specialises in FMCG, warehousing, logistics, parks, pharma, heavy engineering, Environmental Engineering (ETP/STP), and other areas.

INITIAL CHALLENGES

Meraki Projects faced numerous challenges during its early stages. In 2020, the firm had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred by the challenges, the three-year-old company leveraged the power of its dedicated team to swiftly implement a comprehensive work-from-home model and embrace inclusive strategies. Mr. Saxena’s commitment to excellence not only helped the organisation weather the storm but propelled it to new heights by firmly establishing its dominance in the market.

Over the years, Meraki Projects has built successful partnerships with renowned companies such as Hindustan Unilever Limited (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh), Lenskart, Lakmé, Godrej, Huber Technology, oreish, General Mills, Rudraksh Group, and Cargill, among others. The organisation is currently in the process of registering its vendor code to formalise upcoming significant collaborations with influential industry players.

ON AN EXPANSION SPREE

Guided by the vision of his late wife, Mr. Saxena has successfully expanded Meraki Projects’ footprint to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the USA. The company, now registered as Meraki Projects LLC in the USA, has evolved into a next-generation multinational engineering and consultancy firm. Furthermore, the ambitious leader is planning to inaugurate a new office in New York in 2024. Simultaneously, the organisation is engaged in innovative greenfield projects in Sri Lanka, while holding registrations in Indonesia and securing three projects in Southeast Asia.

This strategic growth demonstrates Mr. Saxena’s commitment to international collaboration and dedication to fostering impactful initiatives across diverse regions.

TEAM-CENTRIC LEADERSHIP

With an ambitious vision, Mr. Saxena aims to position his company among the top global engineering consulting firms by 2025. The leader has built a dedicated team comprising seasoned heads of the departments, lead managers, engineers, architects, schedulers, technology experts, interior designers, commissioning specialists, designers, and project management experts who possess extensive industry expertise. The team works unanimously and adheres to stringent quality standards, meets deadlines, and delivers exceptional results. Moreover, to cultivate an organic synergy within the organisation, the team delves deeply into clients’ needs to offer tailored solutions aligned with their expectations.

Mr. Saxena’s motivational prowess has been instrumental in sustaining his team’s morale. He promotes a team-centric culture and takes pride in guiding his team through adversity and helping them achieve success together. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the leader demonstrated true team spirit by allowing employees to work remotely for over 19 months while ensuring all employees received their full salaries. Furthermore, he not only retained existing staff but also expanded the workforce inspite of the challenging times.

The benevolent leader also prioritises work-life balance for his team. Discussing his employee welfare strategy, he asserts,  “At Meraki Projects, we prioritise our employees’ families above all else. We also ensure our team’s job security but as the second priority. This approach instils  confidence in our team and allows them to  focus on their families without job-related  concern.”

Mr. Saxena adds, “Unlike typical consultancy firms, we grant a full month’s bonus to our employees, refraining from dividing it across 13 months. The management ensures fairness by maintaining a fixed minimum 10% increment or higher,  based on an employee’s performance.  Furthermore, our company’s unique increment criteria guarantee a minimum of  10% raise from the day of joining. Moreover,  from 2024 onwards, we intend to extend  our care to our employees and their families  by providing comprehensive insurance by  offering cashless facilities at renowned  hospitals.”

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

For Mr. Saxena, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is part and parcel of his company’s culture. Speaking about his commitment to giving back to society, he says, “Our purpose extends beyond financial gains. At Meraki Projects, we aspire to be socially and environmentally responsible.  CSR is ingrained in our core values and  our motto is to strengthen the community  in which we operate and make the world a  better place.”

Mr. Saxena draws inspiration from his late wife and children. Presently, the leader is dedicated to realising his late wife’s vision of elevating the company to new heights of success. He considers his architect daughters and a civil engineer son as the pillars of his organisation. Their consistent support has been instrumental in shaping his entrepreneurial journey, and he views them as the driving force behind his success.

AT THE HELM OF INDIAN FINANCE

Mr. Ashishkumar Chauhan, the current Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange and former head of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), commands significant respect in the financial world. As one of the Founders of India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE), he is hailed as the “Father of modern financial derivatives in India.” Mr. Chauhan is a forward-thinking leader whose knowledge extends beyond traditional markets. His ability to drive diverse sectors has reinforced his status as a true architect of modern Indian finance.

“MR. CHAUHAN HAS EARNED WIDESPREAD RECOGNITION INTERNATIONALLY FOR HIS REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION AND DELIVERY OF INNOVATIVE IT SOLUTIONS GLOBALLY, IN INDUSTRIES LIKE STOCK MARKETS, PETROCHEMICALS, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS”

As the linchpin of NSE, Mr. Chauhan spearheads innovation and drives strategic growth, besides solidifying its position as a cornerstone of India’s financial landscape. Moreover, as the former Chief of BSE, he significantly revitalised the exchange’s prominence. His results-driven initiatives, including the launch of a successful derivatives market that captured an impressive 20% market share within a year, have fortified the BSE’s standing. Additionally, under his headship, trading volume at the exchange soared to a record Rs. 1.77 lakh crore in a single day, which is a significant milestone for the BSE to date.

A WELL-VERSED LEADER

Mr. Chauhan graduated from IIT Bombay in 1989 with a BTech in Mechanical Engineering.
He also obtained a PGDM from IIM Calcutta in 1991. While studying at IIT Bombay, he used to actively participate in various extracurricular activities to demonstrate his diverse talents.
The humble leader credits the institute for shaping his humility and positive thinking.
The distinguished technocrat embarked on his illustrious journey in 1991 as a Project Officer at the Industrial Development Bank of India. With a stellar track record, he co-founded the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1993 and later steered the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) as its Managing Director and CEO for a decade. The highly dynamic and foresighted leader has many firsts to his credit. Under his sterling stewardship, BSE became India’s first Exchange to launch an exclusive SME platform for listing SMEs. Today, the platform has over 496 SMEs listed, 185 of which have migrated to the main board of the Exchange. His expertise also drove innovations in areas like Offer for Sale (OFS), Mutual Funds Distribution through Exchanges, and e-IPO, which has further reinforced BSE’s leadership in the financial sector.
Mr Chauhan was also instrumental in setting up India’s first commercial satellite communications network. The path-breaking frameworks–Nifty index and NSE certifications in financial markets are his creations. Additionally, he spearheaded the establishment of India’s premier international exchange, the “India International Exchange (INX),” inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in January 2017 at Gandhinagar’s Gift City. Presently, India INX stands out as the first exchange to offer a unified platform encompassing a diverse range of assets, including equities, commodities, currencies, and interest rate derivatives. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being the first exchange to introduce gold options.

A SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR

The visionary leader also served as the President and CIO of the Reliance Group from 2001-2009. In the year 2000, he was called by the organisation to lead the establishment of a Petroleum Exchange. Consequently, in 2001 he left NSE and this pivotal moment sparked his entrepreneurial journey when Reliance Infocomm financed him for his entrepreneurial venture exchangenext.com. Subsequently, he assumed the role of CIO at Reliance Infocomm in 2004 and later at the Reliance Group in 2005. During his tenure at the Reliance Group, he spearheaded pioneering initiatives, particularly in Information Technology, for various sectors within the conglomerate, including Reliance Communications, Reliance Retail, and Reliance Oil and Gas. Additionally, he played a crucial role as the CEO during the formative years of the Mumbai Indians cricket team. After resigning from Reliance Industries, Mr. Chauhan assumed the role of Deputy CEO at BSE in 2009. He later ascended to the position of CEO in 2012. The forward-looking leader is famous for turning around BSE and making it the world’s fastest exchange with a response time of less than six microseconds. Some of his achievements include Mobile Trading implementation, setting up state-of-the-art online real-time surveillance systems, and introduction of many innovative market products among others. Additionally, he also spearheaded the complete transformation of BSE by broadening its range to equity, currency, interest rate derivatives and commodities. He served at BSE till July 2022 after which he joined NSE as MD & CEO.

DONS MULTIPLE HATS WITH FINESSE

Mr. Chauhan is a champion of education. In addition to serving as Chancellor of the University of Allahabad, he is a member of the Governing Council of IIM Calcutta and the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Jabalpur. Additionally, he is a visiting faculty at Toronto’s Ryerson University and an Honorary Professor at Nottingham University Business School. He also serves as the Director at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune and contributes to the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). In addition to this, he plays crucial roles as a Board member in renowned entities including Indian Clearing Corporations Limited (ICCL), Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL), Bank of India Shareholding Limited (BOISL), BFSI sector Skill Council, BSE Training Institute Limited, and Marketplace Technologies Private Limited.

LEADING WITH HEART

Mr Chauhan is a compassionate individual who strictly adheres to the values of empathy and authenticity. He serves on the Advisory Board of ‘Lend-A-Hand India’, an NGO dedicated to empowering rural youth through vocational training and financial aid. His commitment to service and genuine care for others are evident in his actions and interests. In his leisure, he finds joy in reading, playing cricket, and indulging in music.

ACHIEVEMENTS GALORE

Mr. Chauhan has earned widespread recognition, both domestically and internationally, for his remarkable contributions to business transformation and the delivery of innovative IT solutions across a spectrum of industries, including stock markets, petrochemicals, and telecommunications. His accolades include prestigious awards such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from Global Custodian in Singapore, the Visionary Awards 2021 in the Financial Sector by Governance Now in India, and the Chief Executive of the Year at the FOW International Awards 2021 in London, among others. Additionally, he received the Mumbai Ratna Award from the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari in 2021, and was honoured as the Digital Icon of India Inc. by the Indian Express Group in 2019. In addition to this, he is also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from both Indian Institute of Management Calcutta in 2016 and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 2014. He has also been recognised by the British Parliament, Zee Business, and Information Week for his leadership skills and achievements that have positively impacted many people’s lives around the globe.

Man of Vision, Determination and Dynamism

Thumbay Moideen is a man of vision and dynamism, with a determination to succeed. He is not only a renowned personality in India and beyond, for the various achievements he has made, but he is also a true leader, who has infused the values of dedication, discipline, dynamism and hard work at all levels of his organization

“He took to business at the tender age of 21 years demonstrating his business acumen. Today, his name is synonymous with professionalism and positive approach”

Born in 1957 in India, a Mangalorean by birth, Moideen is a third-generation entrepreneur raised in a traditional family with a business background. He took to business at the tender age of 21 years, and demonstrated his business acumen from the very start.

Today, his name is synonymous with professionalism and positive approach. He is the Founder and President of Thumbay Group, a medical company based in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Moideen established the Thumbay Group, UAE in the year 1998. Under his dynamic leadership, it went on to achieve tremendous growth, and in the process, provided a means of livelihood to hundreds of families. The Thumbay Group has since ventured into Health Education, Healthcare, Medical Research, Diagnostics, Retail Pharmacy, Health Communications, Information Technology, Retail Opticals, Wellness, Hospitality and Real Estate.

Notable is the fact that he was the first expatriate to be invited by the rulers of Ajman to start a medical college in the UAE. Thus, the Gulf Medical University was established, which ultimately became a destination for medical education for students from over 70 countries.

Starting with the establishment of the Thumbay Group, he set up business operations in 13 sectors over the course of 16 years. Today, the Group has developed into a business conglomerate with diversified interests in hospitals, medical centres, diagnostic centres, healthclubs, pharmacies, retail outlets, coffee shops and nutrition stores spread out across the UAE.

The organisation employs more than 3,000 employees in the UAE. In 2013, Thumbay Group was listed at number 44 among the ‘Top 100 Making an Impact in the Arab World’ by Forbes Middle East. The result of Moideen’s initiatives and vision have taken medical education to a greater level and has resulted in over 400 students graduating and presently working or pursuing Post Graduate Courses in over 20 countries. Graduates of Gulf Medical University (GMU) are placed in leading universities across the world. Moideen has received several awards and has also been featured in various lists.

CSR Activities and Community Leadership

Thumbay Moideen supports charitable activities in healthcare and education through Thumbay Foundation, a charitable trust that provides scholarships, grants, bursaries, awards, fellowships, endowments, donations and other forms of financial assistance to students pursuing any level of education or training in any educational or training institutions or establishments or otherwise in such manner as may be decided by the Foundation. The pioneering spirit, vision, sheer conviction, courage and confidence of Moideen is well known as a leader in the field of healthcare.

IN HIGH SPIRITS

Kishore Rajaram Chhabria, Chairman of Allied Blenders and Distillers Pvt. Ltd., is one of the most successful and visionary entrepreneurs in the liquor industry. With over 30 years of experience, he currently owns and controls ABD

“Under the leadership of Chhabria, his whisky brand Officer’s Choice has emerged as the largest-selling whisky in the world, ahead of even global spirits”

Kishore Rajaram Chhabria is a self-made man. His struggles and his success both have always kept him in high spirits. This is just a coincidence that he deals in finesh spirits as well!

His success and visionary entrepreneurial endeavours have been legendary in the liquor industry. Chhabria has over 30 years of rich experience in the Indian alcobev industry. Between 1987 and 1992, he was the Managing Director at Shaw Wallace & Co. Ltd., where he transformed the company into a powerhouse in the spirit industry by increasing the market share for its existing brands and adding new brands to its portfolio. During this period, Chhabria also served as Director or Advisor in various major companies such as Dunlop India Ltd., Mather & Platt Ltd., Hindustan Dorr Oliver Ltd., Gordon Woodroffe Ltd., etc.

Prior to joining Shaw Wallace, Chhabria lived and worked in Dubai and London. Then, from April 1992, Chhabria was the Chairman of BDA Ltd. – the liquor business of this company was de-merged into ABD during Between 1995 and 2005, he also served as the Executive Vice Chairman of Herbertsons Ltd., a leading liquor company that has since been merged with United Spirits Limited.

Today, his company, Allied Blenders and Distillers is India’s largest domestic spirits company with a robust portfolio of brands catering to different consumer segments. Under his stewardship, ABD has consistently been the fastest-growing spirits company in India over the past few years.

Its flagship brand, Officer’s Choice, is the largest-selling whisky brand in the world with sales of over 23 million cases (FY ’15). Officer’s Choice Blue, a premium variant, in less than 3 years of national launch, has sold over 7 million cases (FY ‘15), a feat achieved by no other spirits brand till date.

Other brands in Chhabria’s portfolio include Officer’s Choice Black, Jolly Roger Rum, Kyron Premium Brandy, Lord and Master Brandy and Class 21 Vodka.

Through the creation his Officer’s Choice brand, Chhabria desired to unite affordability with class. He wanted consumers to have a feel of a high-status product at low and affordable prices. However, initial success never guarantees a successful business. Chhabria really worked hard to make Officer’s Choice a huge brand. In between, he had some fallouts but he retained the brand. Not to accept defeat easily, Chabbaria is thus a very successful entrepreneur and envisions to make his company the most admired spirits company in the world. He also desires to earnestly work for business sustainability and talent sustainability and make ABD future-ready. He has been voted as Entrepreneur of the Year in the Alcobev industry at Indspirit Awards 2015.

IN THE BIG LEAGUES

Mr. Manoj Kumar Bisht, the Managing Director of MK Infosystems Pvt. Ltd., is a visionary entrepreneur hailing from New Delhi, India. His unwavering determination and commitment have steered the firm to become a renowned provider of Networking and Security Surveillance solutions

Mr. Manoj Kumar Bisht’s inspiring journey serves as a testament to the profound impact that self-belief and unwavering determination can have, regardless of one’s modest beginnings. Born into a lower-middle-class family, he inherited the values of loyalty and diligence from his father, a dedicated junior commissioned officer in the Border Security Force.

Mr. Bisht grew up in a remote village, and had to walk about 4 kilometres to school daily. Being the eldest child in the family, he also had to shoulder familial responsibilities. Despite the limited opportunities that life presented him in his early years, the leader held a steadfast commitment to achieving success. His life took a pivotal turn when he secured admission to the prestigious Pusa Institute, affiliated with the Delhi Technical Board of Education. At the institute, he embarked on a transformative three-year journey that culminated in his graduation with a Diploma in Electronics and Communication in 1993. At just 20 years old, he embarked on his professional career in a small company, fuelled by the desire to provide for his family’s basic needs and ensure his children received a quality education.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

However, destiny had grander plans for Mr. Bisht. In 2002, he took the bold step of leaving his job to establish MK Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. Initially specialising in LAN/WAN solutions, he soon recognised the evolving landscape and expanded into Security Surveillance. This strategic shift, combined with his relentless dedication, laid the groundwork for the company’s ascent to becoming a leader in Networking and Security Surveillance Solutions.

Under Mr. Bisht’s leadership, MK Infosystems has successfully executed prestigious projects, including installations at the Indian Parliament House, New Delhi Lutyens zone safe city, Hyderabad Metro, and many other areas of Delhi. The company has also left an indelible mark in Networking with projects for UIDAI (the largest data centre in Asia), BITS Pilani, ICICI Bank, and other companies. The firm has expanded its footprint globally, undertaking projects in GCC countries, including DEWA in Dubai, KOC in Kuwait, and UAE Navy, among others.

Mr. Bisht’s resolute commitment to delivering exceptional solutions has not only fostered enduring relationships with customers and employees, but has also proved to be invaluable in an era where retaining talent is of paramount concern. Remarkably, the company boasts a workforce with an average tenure of over 10 years.

GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS

Mr. Bisht’s remarkable journey has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the Asia Pacific Entrepreneur Award 2016 under most promising category, CRN Channel Leader Award – Security & Surveillance Category in 2021 and 2022, the Best System Integrator 2020 Award under the category ‘Emerging Partner’ by The Economic Times, and Security Master of the Year 2018/2020 by SME Channels. He has also been named “Best Networking Solution Provider-North India” multiple times.

The success story of Mr. Bisht underscores the importance of unwavering family support in a leader’s life. His wife, Mrs. Preeti Bisht, stood by his side throughout the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey. Together, they overcame initial setbacks and failures, propelling their company to greater heights in a fiercely competitive market.

Young Leader on a Global Mission

Charismatic with an easy confidence that comes from having several accolades to her name, Alisha Moopen, Executive Director and CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, Aster and Medcare Hospitals & Clinics GCC, has found her forte. A true leader who believes in empowering her employees, she has built a strong force of future leaders and not followers

“Bound by the global mission to make quality healthcare affordable and accessible for all, Alisha makes regular contributions to her various Foundations and Trusts”

Dream to create a world class institution

A financial consultant at Ernst & Young for 7 years, Alisha did not plan on entering the healthcare sector. But the opportunity to realize her dream to create a world-class institution that prizes health above all else soon came knocking. A millennial with an unconventional approach to leadership, Alisha joined her father, entrepreneurial legend Dr. Azad Moopen, in 2012 to support the family healthcare business.

During her six-year tenure at Aster DM Healthcare, she has been instrumental in expanding the footprint of the business across GCC, India, Jordan and Philippines. She has been influential in incorporating best practices and policies to preserve the company ethos for future generations. Today, Aster DM Healthcare boasts of over 323 establishments across 9 countries, which is not an ordinary feat.

An unpleasant experience at a UK healthcare centre led Alisha, then a financial consultant with E&Y, to appreciate her father’s work in the field of healthcare. While she didn’t have a doctor’s degree, she had a major in finance and accountancy with a Chartered Accountant Degree from ICAS, Scotland. Confident of her desire to contribute and willingness to learn,
Alisha decided to leave UK, ready to join her father’s business as the financial manager at one of Aster DM Healthcare’s hospitals.

Racing through the ranks

The unexpected demise of the CEO of one of the healthcare units hurtled Alisha into the proverbial storm as she was handed the tremendous responsibility of managing 25 clinics and 1 hospital in the UAE. But, she rose to the occasion and dealt with critical tasks like commissioning new units, managing a large task force of doctors and dealing with patient grievances. A fast learner, she adapted easily and soon took on the next challenge of setting up 25 new clinics in Emirates, while managing clinics and hospitals around GCC. Within a year, she became Director of Corporate Strategy. She was also instrumental in taking the brand to new markets like Bahrain and Philippines. As her father’s confidence in her abilities grew, she took on Medcare, a premium brand of the Aster DM Healthcare portfolio, excelling in this role too, finally showcasing her own talent and commitment in her area of expertise. Currently, she is the Executive Director and CEO of Aster DM Healthcare for Aster and Medcare Hospitals and Clinics in GCC region, a position she has held since 2015.

Growing into a leader

Aster DM Healthcare was already a well-established entity at the cusp of exponential growth when Alisha joined the team. Entering the family business meant she had to constantly fend off assumptions of ‘silver spoon benefits’. During the expansion phase of the business, she was forced to make many tough decisions and build teams and networks in new markets while keeping the company’s model of service and ethics intact for sustainable future growth.

Alisha truly believes that profit is a by-product and not the main purpose of healthcare. Under her guidance, Aster DM Healthcare has set up numerous support programmes for social justice, women and youth empowerment, and human health consciousness benefitting people in India, Afghanistan, Philippines, Africa and expatriates in the Gulf.

TURNING VISION INTO VICTORY

MR. SUNIL SOMANI, DIRECTOR AT SOMANI APPAREL PVT. LTD. (SAPL), IS ACTIVELY STEERING HIS COMPANY TOWARDS UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS IN THE APPAREL SECTOR. HE EXCELS AT DEVISING RESULTS-DRIVEN BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND HIS GROWTH-ORIENTED, HIGH-ENERGY, AND RESILIENT APPROACH, DEFINES HIS TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE

FROM LEARNING TO LEADING

Mr. Sunil attributes his success to a remarkable academic journey that kickstarted with his stellar performance in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) in 2007. Thereafter, he completed a full-time, four-year compulsory campus residential program in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at BIT Mesra. Following this, he ventured into the corporate arena and honed his skills during a two-year stint with Cognizant Technology Solutions. In 2013, he successfully cracked the Common Admission Test and enrolled in the TA Pai Management Institute, specialising in finance.

Guided by the wisdom of his father and brothers, Mr. Sunil established a flourishing business crafting girls’ kids’ wear in 2015 in the bustling heart of Burrabazar, Kolkata. Nevertheless, Mr. Sunil’s entrepreneurial journey was a tumultuous one. Undeterred by challenges, the gritty leader weathered the storms of demonitisation in 2016, the implementation of GST in 2017, a devastating factory fire, and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic, he established Somani Apparel Pvt. Ltd. in 2020, marking the culmination of his successful career.

Mr. Sunil’s leadership style revolves around creating a structured work culture. Thus, he has organised his staff into specialised departments to cultivate a feeling of ownership and responsibility among them. As a leader of over 400 employees, he emphasises the importance of active involvement in the vital areas of the business. For him, punctuality is not just a personal virtue but a leadership strategy to head the organisation. By aligning his schedule with that of the employees, the compassionate leader ensures that he is readily available to address challenges and provide timely solutions.

A VISION FOR GLOBAL EXPANSION

Looking towards the future, Mr. Sunil envisions substantial growth for Somani Apparel Pvt. Ltd.With a current turnover of Rs 40 crores in SAPL, and Rs 100 crores inclusive of its subsidiaries, Anil Enterprise and Salasar Enterprise, his ambitious goal is to achieve INR 400 crores within the next five years, at an impressive CAGR of 30%. This commitment highlights his determination not only to sustain, but to thrive in the highly competitive apparel industry. He recognises the crucial role of quality products delivered on time and aims to maintain his company’s reputation by consistently meeting these standards.

For Mr. Sunil, staying ahead in the apparel sector means incorporating the latest trends in fabric and design. He plans to automate the factory in the near future by moving away from a labour-intensive setup to one that is more efficient and productive. Furthermore, his global vision includes expanding the company’s footprint beyond India’s borders.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

As a leader deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, Mr. Sunil ensures that his company actively engages in initiatives that benefit the community. From annual programs celebrating employees’ talents to distributing essential items to workers, Mr. Sunil prioritises the well-being and satisfaction of his team. He believes that corporate success should be accompanied by a positive impact on the lives of those who contribute to it.

GARNERING ACCOLADES

Within three years of establishing SAPL, Mr. Sunil and his company have achieved phenomenal success by winning the prestigious ‘India 5000 BEST MSME Award’. He and his team consistently strive to demonstrate how excellence and corporate ethics merge to create a blueprint for success in the apparel industry.

THE PIONEER OF PRIVATE HEALTHCARE IN INDIA

Ms. Sangita Reddy is the Joint Managing Director of the Apollo Hospitals Group. Widely acknowledged as the  promoter of the avant-garde in Indian private healthcare and a proponent of integrated healthcare, Ms. Reddy  has helped Apollo Hospitals touch the lives of millions from about 140 countries

“Ms. Reddy is a driving force for the eHealth initiatives & has enabled Apollo to emerge as a recipient of three consecutive ICT achievement awards”

Ms. Sangita Reddy had formally joined the Apollo Group in 1983. She drew inspiration from her father and Founding Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy whose mission was to bring healthcare within the reach of every individual in the country. A BSc graduate from the Women’s Christian College in Chennai, Ms. Reddy also holds a post-graduate degree and has done executive courses in Hospital Administration from the National University of Singapore, Rutgers University and Harvard University.

INGENIOUS AND VISIONARY

It was under her confidently led stewardship that Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad bloomed as Asia’s first Health City – an example that helped develop multi-dimensional holistic healthcare in India. An active participant of the founding team, she contributed immensely in the initial years of Apollo Hospitals as Executive Assistant to Chairman, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai and helped in evolving a patient-centric and process-driven culture.

Ms. Reddy is passionately committed to evolving healthcare using effective and efficient technology. Under her able leadership, Apollo has emerged as a recipient of three consecutive ICT achievement awards. Instrumental in the Group’s retail and primary healthcare expansion, Ms. Reddy has made giant efforts in promoting services and operations at Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd., having healthcare retail service formats such as family health clinics, diagnostic centres, birthing boutiques & maternal health centres, ambulatory surgery centres, dental spas and diabetes management facilities. In addition to strengthening the care continuum, Ms. Reddy introduced Apollo Home Care for the provision of trusted medical care in the comfort of patients’ homes and Apollo Elder Care to provide customised geriatric care.

Moreover, cognizant of the acute need for well-trained manpower, she has also led a partnership between Apollo Hospitals & NSDC, with a goal to employ half a million individuals before 2020.

ENTERPRISING LUMINARY

She works with industry bodies and the GOI on various aspects of policy development and public health. A fervent champion, both believing in and strongly implementing the welfare of all through a global delivery model comprising rural hospitals, outreach camps and telemedicine, Sangita is actively engaged with governments to provide innovative health services harnessing digital platforms.

Ms. Reddy has also helped promote interests of the business community as the Chairperson of FICCI for the states of Telangana & A.P., & as its National Head of Healthcare. She has also been a part of the policy-making team of our country as an elected Member of the Steering Committee on Health for the 12th FYP (2012–2017) under the erstwhile Planning Commission. She’s a recipient of various prestigious awards for business & leadership. However, her mainspring is her resolute commitment to bring revolutionary changes in Indian healthcare making it much more accessible, affordable and truly inclusive. She is a true visionary & a motivational figure for millions across the country.

MAKING THINGS HAPPEN

A versatile leader known for her transformative initiatives, Ms. Monica Kalluri has strategically ventured into diverse sectors such as education, IT, media and advertising, women’s education and entrepreneurship, and climate change. She has been the driving force behind her successful endeavours.

“SHE BELIEVES THAT LOYALTY AND DEDICATION CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY BY PLACING
EMPLOYEES FIRST”

Ms. Monica, an esteemed Harvard University alumna, successfully undertook a Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility program. She obtained her Bachelor of Management from Brunel University and earned her MBA in Strategic Management from London South Bank University. This diverse educational background equips her with a comprehensive skill set, thus making her a valuable asset in the dynamic world of business.

A MULTIFACETED PERSONALITY

Ms. Monica’s intellectual awakening at Harvard, particularly in the sphere of technology, served as a springboard into the thriving IT industry. After returning to India, she immersed herself in this newfound passion by founding her venture, Rylai Technologies. With a partner from NIT Surathkal, she leads a dedicated team committed to innovation in
fintech, AI, mobility, and communication services for defence and education.

Considering the influence of technology on education, Ms. Monica champions personalised learning and the integration of tools like adaptive learning platforms, gamification, and learning analytics. She has carved a niche for herself in media and advertising with Purple Lighting, a company that specialises in branding, lead generation, media solutions, graphic design, and both online & offline marketing.

Additionally, she founded Monica Kalluri Arts, a venture specialising in the dynamic world of media and entertainment. As the founder, she also addresses crucial issues such as Women’s Education, Entrepreneurship, and Climate Change. She has also made significant contributions to the film industry and collaborated on music album productions with renowned artists. She has produced and released various album songs and projects in the entertainment and film industry, her work has reached million of viewers.

PRIORITISING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

By nurturing employee engagement, Ms. Monica has built a positive workplace culture for boosting productivity and retaining top talents. Drawing inspiration from her father, Dr. KR Paramahamsa’s wisdom, she believes that loyalty and dedication can be achieved only by placing employees first.The leader also acknowledges the crucial role family and loved ones play in helping one achieve ambitious career goals. She firmly holds that neglecting personal relationships can adversely impact one’s mental and emotional well-being.

RESILIENCE AMIDST ADVERSITY

Ms. Monica’s leadership stood out during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her stellar leadership kept the institution active despite the uncertainties caused by the global health crisis. Throughout this period, she spearheaded initiatives for comprehensive teacher training for a smooth transition to digital teaching.

SCOOPING UP ACCOLADES

Ms. Monica has been honoured with the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at the esteemed Times Business Awards 2023. This prestigious award validates her strategic acumen and perseverance throughout her entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, as a participant in the Innovative International Film Awards 2023, she had the distinct honour of representing South Indian cinema on a global stage amidst a confluence of 25 languages and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Guiding Generations to the Path to Prosperity

The Co-Founder of IIFL Wealth Management, Mr. Karan Bhagat possesses a rich experience of over 16 years in Financial Advisory, and leads a team of professionals who manage the wealth of leading families in India as well as select global hubs and provide a cumulative solution to all finance-related queries

“My key advice to upcoming leaders is that you need to be self-confident exude positive body language and communicate clearly, passionately and effectively; … and learn to deal
with pressure”

Managing finance for some of the wealthiest individuals and families in the HNI and Ultra HNI segment possessing numerous assets, Mr. Bhagat gained deep insight and has never shied away to pass it down to his team. His substantial experience– in various aspects of Finance like asset management, mutual funds, investment advisory, seed funding, equity management, corporate advisory, investment banking and wealth- structuring solutions –teams up well with his leadership skills and enables him to efficaciously spearhead his team
towards achieving their mission in the most desirable manner.

Steady Endeavours to Success

Rising up the ladder of success with each sturdy step was not a cakewalk for Mr. Bhagat but nevertheless he unrelentingly pursued the path by defying all odds owing to his sheer determination and self-belief. As he puts it, “I had set up my owntravel agency while simultaneously doing my studies. After completing my MBA in Finance from IIM, Bangalore in 2001, I received an offer from a consulting firm in Barcelona. But it had to be revoked in the light of the World Trade Centre crash. I thought to utilize that time in a constructive manner and took to teaching English and Maths to MBA aspirants.” He adds, “After joining Kotak Mahindra Bank in their Delhi branch in 2001, I rose to head the bank’s wealth management practice for Mumbai by 2007. The beginnings of the dream to start out on my own were seeded in mid-2007. It was in April 2008 that seven of us, including Yatin Shah and Amit Shah, decided to start on our own. But instead of going all out on our own, we decided to pursue a path of professional entrepreneurship.

We approached Nirmal Jain, Founder and Chairman, IIFL Holdings Ltd, and were given the responsibility of setting up IIFL Wealth as a unit of the IIFL group. We have now established ourselves as one of the leading investment management companies in India in less than a decade.”

Creating Opportunity out of Adversity

For a resilient person, every adversity, challenge, trial, obstacle, or problem is an opportunity for greatness and a problem is usually perceived by him as an opportunity to introduce an innovative solution to it. Talking about the challenging times and their enriching effects on him in terms of the experiences gained and the lessons learnt, Mr. Bhagat states, “We started in 2008 amidst the global financial meltdown and it was no less than a trial by fire. We remained modest and grew in a systematic manner. The period before 2008, when the global financial crisis occurred, whatever a wealth manager did, he made money. Private bankers started taking credit of great returns on themselves rather than admitting that it was a function of the market. Wealth management became a distribution market, almost like broking, where healthy commissions were easy to make by selling products.”

He further adds, “The scenario was gloomy the world over following the economic meltdown across asset classes. As someone who has had failure and adverse circumstances as my starting points, life has moulded me to be unafraid and undaunted in business. Having worked in the industry for a good amount of time, we knew the service and the gaps of most banking players in the game. The realisation that as good advisors, we needed to take care of a client’s multifarious needs and not merely sell financial products, got us headed in a direction that seemed to work. We saw that there was a gap for a consolidated balance sheet, more effective tracking and monitoring of investments. It was only obvious that good advisors should do all of this, not just sell products.”

Revealing that perseverance had been his key to success in adversity, he says, “Our entrepreneurial journey coincided with the 2008 turmoil in financial markets. A simple advice that came my way – not to wait for the global situation to improve but rather tread the chosen path with renewed vigour and remain patient about the milestones we had set – has made all the difference.”

Innovating His Way to the Top

Being an innate trendsetter, Mr. Bhagat has always promoted innovation and has charted his own trajectories of success. As he elaborates, “We built a strong advisory practice as opposed to a prevalent commission-based model in the industry. IIFL Investment Managers began in 2008, at a time when the market was a volatile place to be in. The setting up of the wealth division for IIFL was of a professional entrepreneurship where interests of all the stakeholders were aligned. Our employees own around 21 pc stake in the company and function with an entrepreneurial mindset in a vibrant eco-system. This in turn kept us aligned to the long-term interest of the clients. When every other organization was cutting corners, we found it to be the best time to hire quality people and acquire companies which were complementary to the business.” He adds, “Our assets under management, advice and distribution jumped 38.81% in the last one year and stands at Rs1317.62 billion (as on 31st March 2018), making us one of India’s largest private wealth management firm in terms of assets under advice and management.”

Finally, he declares with pride, “We started off with pure wealth advisory and management services and have metamorphosed into one of the largest wealth management companies offering Wealth Management, Asset Management, Credit Solutions, Estate Planning and Corporate Finance.”

A Rock Solid Support System

The adage ‘Behind every successful man there is a woman’ holds true for Mr. Bhagat, who is all praise for his wife for her continual support. He declares elatedly, “My family has always been supportive of my entrepreneurial pursuits. My biggest inspiration lies in my family – my wife, Shilpa has always stood beside me in thick and thin. She has been a pillar of support throughout my life and urged me to quit my stable job at Kotak where I headed the bank’s wealth management practice and start my own venture. I am grateful for her support and she takes the entire credit for meticulously nurturing the entire family as one with love, care, respect, patience and endurance. I am also inspired by my kids; children can teach you how to balance life between work and play.”

Awards Galore

Mr. Bhagat has been recognized for his exceptional achievements in the finance sector through various awards and recognitions. He has received ‘Best Wealth Management Thought Leader’ at India Wealth Awards 2018 and Hubbis Indian Wealth Management Award for Excellence 2017. In 2017, he was also featured in the prestigious ‘40 under 40’
list of The Economic Times & a leading international magazine where India Inc.’s leading young business leaders were recognised. Under his leadership, the company has received ‘The Best Family Office Services, India’ and ‘The Best Succession Planning Advice and Trust, India’ Awards by Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey, 2018 besides 80 other awards of repute since 2008.

Giving Back to the Society

Keen on supporting social welfare through promotion of education and sports, Mr. Bhagat asserts, “My wife and I are particularly keen on ensuring child welfare, for which we support the cause of education among underprivileged children through the Yasham Foundation. The foundation aids children in understanding school curriculum better by means of remedial teaching, audio-visuals and reinforcements.” He also believes that “sports should
be given importance” & says, “We took a conscious decision to adopt sports as part of our CSR activity and to promote National and Olympic sports in the country under the banner of ‘EKA’.”