Category: Leaders

An MBA in International Business and HRM, Parveen has experience of over two decades in the domain of general trading. He established Sun Corporation in the year 2013. Under his headship, the company is growing at a faster pace and catering to the demand for Basmati Rice from major buyers in many countries, including the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kuwait, Turkey, the UK, Australia, and many more. The farsighted leader initially created a niche platform to meet the needs of sellers and buyers. He has a database of over 100 products acquired over 25 years of trade expertise in the international markets of about 37 countries. Owing to his ceaseless commitment, the the company is now growing at a faster pace.

EXPLORING DIFFERENT HORIZONS

Parveen has transformed Sun Corporation into a multi-business conglomerate making a mark in different business segments. For example, the company has also ventured into the readymade garment business to serve its clients in the Middle East and Africa. Additionally, Sun Corporation also meets the needs of its Indian clients by sourcing a wide range of used and new branded textile machinery from the UK, Europe, Hong Kong, China, and Middle Eastern countries, used for producing all types of textiles & clothing. Moreover, to meet the demands for marble blocks from its Indian, Australian, and Nepalese clients, the firm sources them from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Europe, & other countries. The firm has also carved a niche in the solar energy business. This is evident from the fact that one of the major Indian government corporations has granted it the sole agency contract to sell solar & other projects and products in Africa on behalf of Sun Corporation’s subsidiary firm. Last but not least, Sun Corporation has also assisted its European clients with their IT hardware needs, which were previously sourced from China. The deftness with which Parveen has been handling responsibilities & various projects is indeed admirable.

CUSTOMERS COME FIRST

The leader believes in adhering to a customercentric strategy and the highest ethical standards. With his unwavering efforts, he is turning Sun Corporation into an organization that is not only efficient and successful, but also the most desirable and sought after by consumers. “During my time as a professional, I made some wonderful and deep relations with my customers and those relationships guided me through my initial years of entrepreneurship, helping me reach where I am today. ‘Relationship’ thus became a guiding principle or let’s say the way of life for us at Sun Corporation. We are genuinely a customer-centric organization that places a strong focus on comprehending the needs of clients to offer customized solutions,” says the forward-thinking leader.

BACKED BY A PROACTIVE TEAM

The humble leader attributes the success of Sun Corporation to his employees and considers his team the biggest asset for his company. “The company is at its peak today because of a dedicated team of hardcore professionals with passion, dreams, hard work, vision, and expertise in their respective fields,” says the humble leader. The leader also ensures that he hires qualified employees who are capable of managing responsibilities & offering solutions that can improve the customer experience. As a mentor to his team, he always keeps them motivated & strives to transform the work environment into a powerhouses of innovative ideas, where all members are considered equal participants in the process of growth. Parveen believes in implementing excellent corporate governance to maintain transparency between his firm & its stakeholders. He says, “We stay true to all governance standards, as well as all other regulatory requirements, along with our self-avowed corporate brand values. The ethical leader adds, “Corporate governance & accountability serve as a focal point for business initiatives that enhance honesty, ethical conduct, integrity, and clarity.”

DRIVEN BY CHALLENGES

Parveen is an embodiment of deliberate calm & boundless optimism. Even the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic & the worldwide health crisis could not dampen his entrepreneurial spirits. Under his leadership, the firm recorded the best performance & growth in the year 2020, even when the Covid-19 pandemic situation was in place. “The outbreak of the pandemic has been a constant source of anxiety for all of us, but we managed to sail through the COVID-19 storm with our surefire business strategies,” said the leader. During the pandemic, Parveen also helped to stimulate the economy by encouraging Basmati rice exports from India & sending foreign reserves to the country for these exports as soon as the clients’ orders were fulfilled. He believes in finding wisdom even in challenges that come his way. For him, challenges, more than anything else, keep him going, no matter how difficult they can be at times. The bold leader says, “Obstacles & failures are the part and parcel of an entrepreneurial journey; it is how you deal with the challenges that matter. While challenges sometimes end up distracting us, they also give us hope & a chance to improve ourselves. Numerous challenges have taught me the dynamics of business and life in general.”

MARCHING ON THE GROWTH PATH

Parveen’s professionalism and unrivaled abilities have earned Sun Corporation a huge amount of recognition. The leading business houses & brands in numerous countries have recognized Sun Corporation General Trading LLC for meeting their demands on time. Additionally, different credit rating firms gave the company an A grade shortly after it was created.

As a result, the business became well known in a short time frame. When asked about his vision for the future growth of his firm in both short & long terms, the leader said, “I intend to provide world-class quality of the products we deliver, value for money, timely deliveries, and a transparent & streamlined business approach, as well as something innovative that has never been executed by a general trading company.” He believes in competing with himself rather than with others and feels that daily improvements can make a big difference in achieving one’s goals.

Mr. Kothari’s career span reflects a wide range of experience in financial services, corporate and financial structuring and analysis of projects for financial assistance and initial public offering. He started his career with Merchant Banking Division of ICICI Limited. Thereafter, he joined Bukhatir Group of Companies, Sharjah, U.A.E. and worked his way up to achieve the position of CEO before setting-up his corporate consultancy and advisory services.

Eventually, he diversified his business to Merger & Acquisition (M&A) practice, bringing foreign investment in Dubai. Inspired by his late grandfather Shri Shugan Chandra Kothari, he set up DPS at Jodhpur in India. With an aim of providing quality education to the children of expatriates in the UAE, he established DPS (CBSE) in Sharjah and Dubai and Victory Heights Primary School (VHPS) and South View School (a British curriculum secondary school), was launched in 2018 in the Remraam Community, Dubai (British curriculum) to engage and contribute to a wider section of Western European expatriates. Recently, he has laid the foundation of Delhi Private School in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), which will be functional from April 2021 onwards, to serve the Indian community based there.

For his noteworthy contribution to business and society, Mr. Kothari has been conferred ‘Pride of India’ Award by IBPC and honoured with the prestigious Mother Teresa Award for excellence in the field of Education.

CREATING A SURE SHOT RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Mr. Kothari carved his own route to success with sheer determination and passion to make it big. He kept marching ahead with big dreams in his eyes and determination to turn them into reality. In the process, he has set an example for others to follow. As he puts it, “When I arrived in the UAE, I was a 24-year-old young man with $8 in my pocket and big dreams. I started out as the Finance Manager for a company under the Bukhatir Group in Sharjah in 1974 and by March 1978, at the age of 28, I was made the CEO of the Group which employed over 5000 persons in around 15 different companies. It was the most wonderful learning phase for me, and I could not have asked for more. I had created financial stability for my family and myself. My salary and bonus together fetched me an annual pay of a million dirhams. I could afford to buy a house in India, educate my children and more. But I wanted to give back to society somehow, and that was how my foray into education happened. In 1998, I set up first not-for-profit school – Delhi Public school in Jodhpur, my home town, in memory of my late grandfather. There was no looking back after that.”

Sharing his success mantra, he elaborates, “My mantra for achieving success is simple – see a dream, add grit, stir in hard-work and wrap both these up with focus, and you’ll find yourself getting closer to your visualised goal. While travelling towards your goal, you will experience hiccups on the way, but your fortitude and resolve are what will keep you going.”

He further adds, “My life was inspired by the profound advice I got as a youngster. The best advice I ever got was from my father and it was: ‘Man gives his best only under pressure, and once you commit to do something, do not renege.’ However, it is not just one golden rule that I follow. What really pushed me towards success was that I was honourable in my commitments. One should not simply chase mirages but have faith in oneself and be sincere. It was this mindset that helped me achieve the goals I had set. I’m yet to achieve all my targets; this is what keeps me moving in life. Having said that, I also feel completely satisfied with my achievements so far.”

A LEADER WHO INSPIRES EXCELLENCE

A great leader, Mr. Kothari leads by example and inspires commitment and engagement in his team, augmenting performance and productivity. Throwing light on his leadership style, he says, “The people management skills that I apply as a leader today are something I imbibed from my first boss, back in the 70s. I believe in being a leader who sees the potential in every staff. I am proud to say that we barely have a one per cent attrition of staff across our schools. Yes, education is a business but we take it that it is our business to provide the best to students and respect all stakeholders. However, I firmly believe that to be associated with education sector requires passion – one that is not necessarily driven by money alone.”

MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY

Mr. Kothari is of the view that education has the power to transform societies. He is deeply concerned about disseminating education to students from the economically weaker sections of the society so that they rise up from poverty and exploitation and are able to reach their full potential.

In his own words, “I strongly believe in giving back to society. I am on a journey of nation-building, in a small yet significant way. Every school that I chair offers a very generous Scholarship policy to benefit students whose families express the need for financial support. DPS Jodhpur is a completely non-profit school with 5,000 students. It is a fee-paying school but I do not take any of the school’s profit. I prefer to stay as the Trustee of the school.”

He further elaborates, “We take great pride in integrating social and environmental concerns to our educational establishments. Our schools in the UAE have adopted villages in India and are distributing solar lanterns to the rural population under the initiative, ‘Light a Billion Lamps.’ Our schools have also initiated endowment programs such as, ‘Aao Sangh Paden’ to support the deserving students of economically weaker sections in India.”

He concludes, “We provide financial aid to the needy families by fee waivers, offer help to bereaved staff members, extend contributions to various charities, impart training to the ancillary staff in Computer skills, English and Arabic. We support parents and the community by wellness programs: free yoga classes and counselling. We also offer free e-library and hobby classes to students after school. We also have enrichment and remedial classes after school for students, free of charge.”

A typical day in Chetan’s office is always buzzing with activity. He can be seen sitting behind a well-ordered desk in his corner office on the 22nd floor of ‘The Address,’ considered by many to be one of Nairobi’s finest commercial buildings. It is a gleaming black tower completed by his company a little over a year ago. He is surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows. On the ground to his left, work continues on the Waiyaki Way overpass, the main artery through the city. Over his right shoulder, through the morning mist spreads the everexpanding Nairobi skyline. The glass wall in front of him looks out to an open plan office space, where his team is energetically going about the business of the day. The door to his office is open and there is a constant flow of people coming in and out. This is transparency in motion.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Chetan grew up in the suburbs of Mumbai in a joint home occupied by many aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings. The family was in construction business. He recalls how on many evenings his grandfather would sit with him and explain the intricacies of the business. In this way, he was exposed to and developed an appreciation for the risks and benefits of entrepreneurship. It also taught him when to be competitive and when to be forgiving. This flexibility is on full display inside his office today. As team members arrive at his desk one at a time or as a small group, his leadership style adapts to the situation at hand. Sometimes he is inclusive, giving encouragement, seeking to inspire. Other times, he softly insists on compliance – behaviour learned in childhood.

His father, a builder, was the major influence in his life. To this day, he gets excited about visions grown in his imagination, sharing it with his team, putting it down on paper, then onto a construction site and eventually leaving behind an important building.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH DESTINY

Chetan moved to Nairobi after visiting the city during his honeymoon – a trip paid for by his sister. He recognized at the time that there was a gap in the real estate sector. There were very few affordable developments under construction that were being built to international standards.

Buoyed with the confidence that comes from growing up in a construction family, dealing with day labourers on the one hand, and bankers, investors, contractors on the other, Chetan decided to take the plunge. Hayer One’s first project was a relatively small one – 15 residential apartments. The learning curve, he says, “was very steep.” While there were similarities to the construction industry in India, there were also significant differences – new rules and regulations, building materials to name a few. Yet, Chetan is nothing if not a persistent leader. Mistakes were made and he learned from them. He was transparent, owned up to them, fixed the problems and never took short cuts.

LAYING A SOLID FOUNDATION

His no-nonsense, issue-oriented approach put him in good stead during the years and projects that were to follow. Owing to his exemplary leadership, Hayer One has developed long-standing relationships with a loyal team of contractors, engineers, designers – on mutual trust – a precious commodity in a tough business. And it is trust that has created consumer confidence in the market. Many of Hayer One’s clients are repeat customers. As he puts it, “Growth can only be sustained if it’s inclusive and approached with a long-term mindset.”

BRIMMING WITH GRATITUDE

Trust, transparency, and humanity define the corporate culture. It has to be that way. Chetan began operations from a small, 100 sq. ft. office that he shared. It was a one man show. He dealt with the investors, contractors, construction workers, customers, everyone. Hayer One now has more than 60 full time employees and produces over 500 direct employments. On the glass walls of his penthouse office are plans for one of Nairobi’s biggest and boldest residential developments, ‘The Marquis.’ When complete next year, ‘The Marquis’ will consist of more than 250 luxury apartments built to uncompromising standards.

Looking out towards his highly motivated and busy team, Chetan says, “I had to decentralize my approach to management.

The company grew too complex for me on my own. Now we have skilled professionals heading up key departments: Operations, Marketing, Finance, Property Management, etc. We have regular team meetings, where we set specific goals. Sometimes, there are disagreements but in the end we stick to the issues, and progress. I am grateful for the team I have at Hayer One.”

Chetan is also grateful to be living and working in Kenya. The scenery and the wildlife are spectacular. The people are warm and friendly. He is confident of seeing a day in the near future when Nairobi will be one of the most significant cities in the world. Clearly, Hayer One will play a major role in developing this vision into reality.

MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

Corporate social responsibility has always been a part of the culture for Chetan. The general objective has been to support education for the needy. He has supported free schooling activities for kindergartens in India. He has extended consistent financial support towards organizations in Nairobi that build and run schools for the needy.

During COVID-19, he particularly expanded his interests from education to food. He provided support to active organizations in the community in order to provide food packages to thousands of families. At home, in his own company, he ensured that there were no pay cuts so that the families of the employees, who may be suffering from job cuts elsewhere, can balance their household incomes. At his construction sites, wherein the labour force was forced to be cut into half due to regulation requirements of COVID-19, his company initiated a food supply drive to ensure that the labour that’s not being employed can have respectable food supplies for their households.

His ambitions for future include greater initiatives for education for the underprivileged, and also in the field of healthcare including initiatives of dialysis centers.

For Ash Anand real success and achievement is not about piling up wealth but making a positive change in society and the world. A self-made entrepreneur, he has built the conglomerate with his sheer dedication and passion. With similar zeal, he has initiated ‘Lotus Loves Literacy,’ a scholarship which is awarded to graduating seniors for several years. In future, he intends to set up a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility and launch adolescent educational initiatives.

He contributes by being a member of Workforce Investment Board 2021, Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties; and Warrensburg School Board 2021. He has been listed among top 40 under 40 businessmen of the year in 2018 and has received Telecommunications Award of Excellence in 2013. Despite achieving huge success, he feels that “the best is yet to come.”

CLIMBING UP THE SUCCESS LADDER

A self-made and self-driven leader, Ash has carved his own path to success. “During initial years, my life was full of struggle and disappointments that actually helped me to imbibe courage and motivated me to turn all these challenges into a great success,” he says. Delineating the early years of his distinguished career, he elaborates, “I started my career with an average job which involved lots of hard work, long days and busy weekends. But this hard work enabled me to learn important aspects of diverse workforces as well as helped me to earn many promotions during my initial career. I outperformed in all my jobs, achieved several milestones, dozens of awards, trophies, and certificates. My life was going smoothly with a decent job and happy family. But in 2008, I took one big decision to start my own company, Lotus – a multi-faceted conglomerate based out of Warrensburg, New York.” Having sown the seeds of hard work with passion, he is reaping the sweet fruits of success. As he puts it, “Today, as the President and CEO of Lotus Group of Companies, I own and operate Lotus Analytics, Lotus Property Management, Lotus for Life Nutraceuticals, The Grist Mill restaurant, Small Tales Early Learning Center and Daycare (now operating as an NPO), Lotus Auto Xperts, Ashes Pub & Ocho Cinco Cantina (Mexican restaurant), The Bond 1786 (Restaurant, Inn, Event Venue), NAPA Chester, and Warrensburg Auto & Truck Supplies. In the very beginning, I launched Lotus Analytics, the first business unit which later became a part of the broader Lotus Group of Companies. The business started in my home office only, and then it rapidly grew enough to now be in a historic and iconic three-story building at 101 River Street in Warrensburg, which houses all Lotus corporate employees. Shortly after starting the business, I acquired eight other businesses that make up the Lotus Group of Companies.” Under his leadership, the Group takes pride in its over 250 employees across the globe. Lotus Analytics is a powerhouse tech company offering services and solutions for businesses of any size across the globe.

REDEFINING SUCCESS

According to Ash, success is a saga of growth with purpose, which involves development of healthy, fair, and successful organizations and communities. As he puts it, “If I have been able to nourish an awesome relationship with my colleagues and have the time to sit with them and see how things are, I think I am successful. If my kids don’t complain about spending enough time with me, I think I am successful. If health and wealth factors are in control in my life, I think I am successful. If my plans, goals and mission path are set and my progression is good, I think I am successful. Most importantly, if people around me have respect for me, I am certainly successful.” For him, success is all about how much value you provide to your clients and associates. He asserts, “We create solutions using cloud based custom software that allows people to dream again about next year while we solve the problems of today and tomorrow; and lower expenses and increase bottom lines. We believe in providing an unparalleled suite of services that are all scalable, affordable, high quality and secured – which historically were only available to the rich companies.”

BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS

It is a widely acknowledged fact that great leaders bring out the best in employees, which in turn, leads to organizational success. Ash is one such leader who inspires excellence. “I build up my family, community, and each staff member to meet their individual goals and align these with the organizational goals. Each interaction is with the big picture in mind (the long game),” he asserts. His advice to the budding entrepreneurs is to always be persistent. In his own words, “Persistence is definitely the key. There will be good times, bad times and times when you want to give up. Never give up. Always strive to remain positive and not be too dispirited when difficulties arise. It’s significant to know how to work through disappointments and setbacks and find solutions as these moments occur. The key to having happy employees is, never put yourself above your employees, or ask them to do something you would not do yourself. Always lead by example.” Brimming with zeal, he intends to learn something new every day and treats each day as a new opportunity to learn from his colleagues. “Most importantly, ethics, integrity, and morals should always guide your actions. You should not only strive to be successful in business but also to be successful in a way that never compromises your integrity or ethics,” he adds.

MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

Ash vehemently asserts that CSR “is the backbone of every decision” he undertakes. Under his able leadership, the Group undertakes various socially beneficial initiatives in various sectors like education and healthcare. He has been contributing to the welfare of society “through helping children and the next generation through workable lifelong programs designed by Lotus such as Lotus Literacy, Senior Class IT mentoring, Financial support to over 400 children in India, stocking food banks, blood banks and keeping our vital businesses open and operational during COVID-19.” Under his guidance, Lotus Group “strives to move forward to make a change, and expects others to join it to bring change in a bigger perspective.” Ash believes in “Doing the right thing always.” No wonder his upcoming book has been aptly titled “Giving but not giving up.”

Having joined Tata AutoComp as President in 2008, Mr. Goel got an opportunity to head a group of business units within the organization. Owing to his dedicated efforts towards organizational growth and exceptional leadership skills, he was elevated to the position of MD & CEO in 2018. During his tenure, he has headed several important portfolios including Technology, Operations, and Strategic Growth, where he has facilitated significant Mergers and Acquisitions. Under his exemplary leadership, Tata AutoComp has entered into 6 new Joint Ventures, 2 MoUs, and acquired TitanX – a global leader in Engine and Powertrain cooling systems, based in Sweden. The acquisition of TitanX has enabled Tata AutoComp to boost their global footprints beyond China. Today, Tata AutoComp operates 6 businesses on its own and 10 Joint Ventures with Global Tier 1 majors. Keeping the current megatrends in mind, Mr. Goel has ensured future readiness by realigning the focus on Electric Vehicles components. With his relentless efforts, today Tata AutoComp offers solutions in the entire value chain of Electric Vehicles and for all segments ranging from Two Wheelers to Buses. Prior to joining Tata AutoComp, he was the President and COO of Man Trucks where he initiated a greenfield project having a capacity of 24,000 trucks per annum. He has also been associated with Force Motors, Bajaj Tempo and Kirloskar Oil Engines at various leadership positions and has actively worked in functions like Engineering, Manufacturing and also headed several business units.

RIDING THE WAVES OF SUCCESS

Mr. Goel has played a significant role in steering Tata AutoComp to a growth path by acquiring TitanX, having 6 plants serving all leading Truck brands. He has facilitated successful collaborations to expand Tata AutoComp’s portfolio and to offer cutting edge technology to customers for conventional ICE vehicles as well as the entire range of products for EVs. Today Tata AutoComp has the largest portfolio of products to serve the emerging EV segment. The entire expansion of product portfolio was based on a sound understanding of the voice of customer. Today, Tata AutoComp’s portfolio includes Interior & Exterior Plastic Components and Aggregates, Kinematic Plastic Parts, Components made from Glass Fiber reinforced Sheet Moulded Composites, Sheet Metal Components & Aggregates, Engine and Powertrain Cooling Solutions, HVAC, Exhaust & Aftermarket Treatment solutions, Seating Systems, Rear View Mirrors, Reverse Park Cameras & ADAS, Park Brake Levers, Gear Shifters, Washer Systems, Clutches, Automotive Batteries & Suspension Systems (for commercial vehicles). Specifically for Electric Vehicles, the portfolio includes Li-Ion Battery Pack & BMS, Battery Thermal Management System, Motors, Controllers, Integrated Drivetrain, Chillers, e-Compressor as well as AC and DC Chargers. He is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that “By 2026, Tata AutoComp will be amongst the Top 5 auto-component firms in India by enabling mobility solutions with safe and sustainable products and services, exceeding customer expectations.”

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

A result-oriented leader, Mr. Goel sets aspirational targets, gives directions and then leaves it to the team to achieve their best. The growth & development of employees is his primary concern & he gives opportunities to young employees to prove their leadership qualities. He also has a very high customer connect. He is always in touch with the senior leadership team of all customers & constantly augments product offerings to suit their needs. He believes highly in Total Quality Management & hence drives it at the firm. During the pandemic, he was constantly in touch with all the employees & workforce. He ensured that there was no manpower rationalization or salary cut at employee & workforce levels. He established strict protocols & SOPs to ensure smooth & safe re-opening of operations once the lockdown ceased. He himself made sure that all employees & workforce were engaged and motivated them by involving each person in at least one project as well as instituted internet-based training & skill enhancement programs for them. Supported the government & medical fraternity by leveraging the firm’s global supply chain to import & distribute PPE kits across multiple hospitals.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

Mr. Goel is in sync with the Tata Group’s Founder, the late Mr. Jamsetji Tata’s vision – “Society is not just a mere stakeholder of any business. It is the very purpose of its existence.” Taking cue from the fact that social responsibility is part of the DNA of every Tata Group company, Mr. Goel actively engages in varied CSR initiatives at Tata AutoComp that contribute towards developing the health & education of children, skill development, programs that can enhance the quality of life of specially enabled people, contributing to Tata cancer hospital, & many such programs. He also encourages voluntarism amongst the employees. He has also served as President of Rotary International where he actively worked towards community service aiming at poverty alleviation. Under his guidance, the firm contributed significantly in procuring PPEs & N95 masks during the initial phases of the pandemic when there was acute shortage of PPEs and other protective equipment.

GARNERING GLORY

Mr. Goel has been an active member of various industry bodies and currently serves on the Executive Committees of Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA). He is the serving Chairman of CII Maharashtra State Council for the year 2020-21, and is also associated with CII Western Regional Council. Owing to his outstanding contribution to the automotive industry, Mr. Goel has been felicitated with numerous awards and accolades at reputed national and international platforms. He has received Amity Corporate Excellence Award for Business Leadership in 2021. He was awarded “India’s Most Inspirational Leader 2020” and Tata AutoComp was awarded “India’s Most Admired Brand 2020” by White Page International and UK Asian Business Council. Under his quintessential leadership, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd (Interior Plastic Division) was adjudged as Winner in Automotive-Exteriors (Large Enterprise) at The Economics Times Polymers Awards.

Arun hails from a humble family based in the state of Odisha, India. The adventure of his life began with an Atlas Goldline Super bicycle and culminated with the possession of multiple Tesla cars and super-luxury cars in the UK. Motivated by the Kargil war of 1999, the young and determined Arun joined the Indian army as an officer in the year 2000 after clearing Combined Defence Services interview (conducted by the UPSC), & Service Selection Board interview. After serving seven years in the Artillery Division of the Indian Army, he opted for early retirement owing to injury & medical concerns. Following his retirement from the Indian Army, Arun decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge after finishing management studies at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. The military veteran is now the Co-Founder of the Nest Group of companies, which is designed across five subsidiaries, including Multinational Digital & Technology Innovation companies specializing in Information Technology & Environment Sustainability.

SURGING AHEAD WITH DETERMINATION

Arun believes that the qualities of courage, determination, and leadership imbibed while serving in the Indian Army have given him the confidence to embark on large-scale projects. The confidence he drew from the armed forces has also helped him deal with the hurdles of running a business. The Nest Group was founded by Arun and his partner Chintan Panara to develop game-changing solutions across industries & thereby creating a more intelligent world for humanity. Today the Nest Group has five subsidiary companies, including Xpertnest. Through Xpertnest, the duo aims to bring together technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, IoT, & sophisticated analytics for forecasting trends & optimizing processes to provide more value.

UNIQUE LEADERSHIP STYLE

Arun is inspired by many world luminaries, including Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani, Mr. Elon Musk, and Mr. Jack Ma, to name a few. He considers these business titans to be his pillars of strength, as their philosophy has helped him in developing a distinct leadership style of encouraging others, offering direction, and putting plans into action. Arun also has extensive expertise in developing & directing high-performing teams in multiple jurisdictions around the world. Like a true leader, he has built a healthy work culture where his team can perform at their best. Backed by a motivated team, the ambitious leader has successfully delivered multimillion-pound projects for clients in the United Kingdom, Europe, & the United States.

AN ENTREPRENEUR PAR EXCELLENCE

As a Global Leadership Cadre professional, he is proficient at engaging with C-level officers and decision-makers of Tier 1 companies in Europe, and the US. He is also fascinated by innovative ventures led by young entrepreneurs and enjoys collaborating with them. The dynamic entrepreneur has worked for numerous notable clients over the years, including the largest Telco in the UK, Big 4 consulting firms, Utility companies, Councils & Public sector authorities (at the National Level in the UK), world’s secondlargest CSP’, Global Banking & Financial markets clients, and smart city development projects. Arun is also relentless in his pursuit of exceptional customer experiences through the integration of utility and technology. Arun is an action-oriented individual who intends to bring the economy & society to a state of progress and prosperity. He has created numerous job opportunities in India, the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Dubai. What’s more, the self-motivated leader presently contributes significantly to the overall growth of India’s economy and employs over 100 people around the world, especially in India.

SOUND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Arun considers corporate governance as the cornerstone of any successful business. When it comes to corporate governance, the ex-Indian army officer goes above and beyond to ensure the compay runs smoothly. Emphasizing the importance of integrity in corporate governance, Arun says, integrity underpins the principles of fair, transparent, ethical, & equitable business dealings. Good corporate governance, he says, is based on integrity, trust, honesty, & responsibility. “At Xpertnest, we take corporate governance seriously and are devoted to ethical practices that guarantee the best results and value for us as well as our customers,” he adds.

Committed to Bringing a Positive Change in Society Arun says, “CSR activities are inbuilt in our business concept.” He explains, “A CSR initiative not only demonstrates that a company cares but it also helps businesses grow & set an example.” The socially aware leader strives to make the world better, greener, & more prosperous by leveraging advanced technologies to solve the needs of real people & their communities. “Everything Xpertnest does is centered on people, communities, & the places they work and live,” he asserts. Under Arun’s leadership, Xpertnest has made significant investments in corporate social responsibility by establishing Earthnest (Xpertnest’s sister company), to assist consumers in achieving a more sustainable future. It is revolutionizing the packaging industry by creating sustainable bio bags & sheeting made entirely of starch & other natural ingredients that are completely plastic-free. TÜV Rheinland (Germany) & UKAS (the United Kingdom) have verified Earthnest’s bio bags as biodegradable. The products have also been endorsed by CIPET, the Indian Institute of Plastics Engineering, & the Indian Institute of Packaging.

GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS

Arun has achieved significantly in his entrepreneurial venture at a young age. His tireless efforts & phenomenal value creation in the industry have been duly acknowledged. His relentless efforts helped Xpertnest win the Most Impacting Company of the Year in 2021 awarded by the DotCom magazine of the United States. The company was also the finalist at the U.K’s National SME Awards 2020 – Business Innovation Category. In 2019, Arun was honored with the Young Entrepreneur Award for his valuable contributions to the Odia society in London. Arun is also an Offcial member of Forbes Business Council, and featured on International Media like Mobile World Congress, Telegraph, BBC and Smart City Expo. In 2019, the company has also won ‘Company of the Year’ title in Smart City Solutions Category.

Amitt, a qualified engineer, has also pursued business management courses to hone his entrepreneurial expertise. Using his cutting-edge ideas, he has been instrumental in restructuring his company’s business operations, expanding its market reach, and improving all aspects of profitably running the business. He is a sharp observer who is constantly one step ahead of the curve when it comes to utilizing technology. Under his stellar leadership, the Shiva Group of Industries has managed to enhance business profitability by five times in the last one and half years. In a short period, he has successfully achieved INR 500 crore topline with a lot of zeal. Nevertheless, the humble leader can’t rest on his laurels. He says, “This is just the beginning, we are all raring to grow and go further.”

To embark on the route of entrepreneurship takes persistence, and Amitt is a live example of this. The leader credits his fastrising success to his father and mentor, Mr. Shiv Kumar, the Founder and Chairman of the Group. He reveals that the best leadership lessons he ever learned came from his father who is his inspiration. “I had to struggle a lot in my initial days. My father made me learn the ropes from the ground up, just like any other employee. I wasn’t granted any preferential treatment, not even a private cabin.” He recalls, “I used to sit with the sales staff and had to go on customer visits and wait for hours for appointments. These challenging lessons provided me with the opportunity to examine and experience things from different angles, and they served as the foundation of my learning.”

VALUES CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Amitt plays a crucial role in shaping the corporate governance of the Shiva Group. The responsible leader ensures that the company has the best processes and policies in place to deal with concerns related to how it is administered and operated daily. The honest leader also ensures that the company facilitates ethical and responsible decisionmaking conforming with all relevant policies, rules, regulations, and codes of best business practices, all while adhering to the ethics and operating principles of the Shiva Group. Stressing on the importance of sound corporate governance, the leader says, “I believe business ethics and corporate governance of an organization must go hand in hand. Shiva Group implements the best corporate governance principles as a firm that follows ethical principles in all of its activities.”

ALWAYS ON THE GO

Amitt is riding a wave of success and has grand plans for his company. His short-term plan is to grow exponentially and invest in an IPO. In the next three years, he plans to expand the reach of his company to over 15 countries. When asked about his longterm objectives, the focused leader says he wants to explore all possibilities by offering personalized chemical solutions to businesses while maintaining the highest levels of safety, quality, environmental protection, and community involvement.

Amitt is known among his peers for his curious intellect. It is curiosity that fuels his desire to learn new things and grow as a person. “It’s not just having curiosity that matters. What matters is how you follow your curiosity. My curiosity keeps me going and helps me to connect ideas better,” says the leader.

PRIORITIZING EMPLOYEES

Keeping his employees at the core of his thoughts, Amitt strives to build a positive work environment. He strongly believes that if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your business. He says, “Our continuous achievements are fueled by our employees’ devotion, zeal, and brilliance across a wide range of disciplines, and we owe our success to them.”

As the captain of the ship, I just give the direction and the team drives the organization,” says the enthusiastic leader.

The empathetic leader also values employee safety as well as their physical and emotional wellness.

The leader adds, “Though business growth is a crucial metric for evaluating a company’s success, the happiness and prosperity of our people is the most important metric for us as we consider our employees as our extended family.”

For Amitt, wellness comes before business. Under his stewardship, the company has sponsored vaccination efforts to immunize staff in order to ensure their safety. What’s more, there were no layoffs or salary cuts in his company amid the pandemic.

PREPARED FOR THE WORST

Amitt is a true visionary who can see around corners and make the most of what he has. The strategic leader strongly believes that if you don’t have a solid strategy in place to quickly resume your business operations, even a minor disruption can have a huge impact on your organization. He is skilled in taking decisive actions despite chaos, complexity, and ambiguity. It is his strategic mindset that has helped the company thrive through the ongoing pandemic. He says, “The coronavirus crisis demanded quick and resourceful planning to keep the business going. Despite the COVID-19 crisis and its short-term economic impact, our corporate goals remain intact.

PAVING WAY FOR A BETTER FUTURE

A socially responsible leader, Amitt leaves no stone unturned in making the world a better place. “Philanthropy is the heart of our organization. We want to be a responsible business that adheres to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism,” says Amitt. “Being in the petrochemical business, we feel responsible for not harming our planet. Therefore, we are consistently making moves to create an environmentally friendly business. To this end, we have set up zero-emission plants and are proud of the fact that we do not contribute to air or water pollution. Also, we regularly organize tree-planting drives in all the locations where we have a presence,” he elaborates.

Through SHIVASOUL, the CSR wing of the Shiva Group, he offers free education and medical facilities to the EWS of India. When the second wave of COVID-19 hit India, and it was facing an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders, Amitt stepped up to help people in need. He has also been initiating sanitization drives to supply sanitizers to underprivileged people free of cost.

Sankey Prasad, FRICS, founded a project management company in 2003, which went to become the number one project management firm in India. The firm delivered exceptional projects not just across the country but other geographies as well. In 2019, Colliers acquired the firm and merged operations to create a top player in project management and positioned itself as a force to reckon with in the Indian real estate market. Since the merger, Colliers’ combined business is led by Sankey as the Chairman & Managing Director.

Sankey leads a team of over 2500 professionals in India spread across 11 offices. Colliers offers Office Services; Project Management Services including design services, interior design services, fit-outs, technical due diligence; Real Estate Management Services (REMS), Capital Markets & Investment Services (CMIS), Valuation & Advisory and Industrial & Logistics Services.

ACCELERATING THE SUCCESS OF CLIENTS AND PEOPLE

Sankey is responsible for leading the client strategy and growth for Colliers’ India business. With over 35 years of real estate experience, Sankey has played an instrumental role in delivering numerous landmark real-estate projects across India and abroad. He has worked in various real estate sectors across India, UK, Africa, and the Middle East. Sankey is a highly respected industry leader and is an inspiration and a role model to many young entrepreneurs. He believes in leading from the front and has created high-performing teams that delivered some of the most complex and challenging projects for investors, developers, and real estate occupiers.

Sankey has won numerous accolades, both in India and internationally, for his contribution to the real estate sector, including “Most Aspirational Leader in India” by White Page International. Under his leadership, Colliers has been conferred several industry accolades like the Most Admired Brand in 2020 by the White Page International and most recently as the Best Brand in India by the Economic Times group. He is a firm believer in empowering people and values relationships above business. His courage in surviving the challenges makes him a leader one can rely on to provide game-changing solutions. Sankey attributes his success to his dynamic team of professionals and invests time and efforts in mentoring and creating future leaders.

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS TO DRIVE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS

At Colliers, we invest in our people and clients to drive exceptional results. Under Sankey’s leadership, Colliers has become a place where market leaders are made. With strong dynamic leadership, enterprising solutions driven by a great execution plan, our people are empowered to deliver greater, enduring value for clients with a shared vision of taking the company to the leading position in India.

The brand’s investments will continue to be around being preferred advisors for our clients, creating a diverse culture with world-class talent, and leveraging our bestin-class integrated real estate services to grow our business faster than the competition. Sankey’s vision is to surpass the growth target within the next three years and be recognized as the country’s number 1 real estate management and investment management firm.

DO WHAT’S RIGHT FOR OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY

Reiterating Colliers’ global commitment to Environment Sustainability and Governance (ESG), Sankey in India has enabled the business to do what’s right for our people, clients, and community. Colliers has partnered with the IGBC and CII to be Net-Zero by 2050, supporting the country’s sustainability plans. He has initiated several COVID 19 vaccination camps across Bengaluru to spread awareness and empower people. In addition, Colliers’ workplaces are created on the concept of PACE to ensure that our employees receive a collaborative and flexible work environment prioritizing their health and well-being. Sankey is an inspirational and fearless leader who believes in walking the talk and seizing opportunities despite challenges. Sankey has created an enterprising work culture where our people are empowered to maximize the potential of property for our clients. At Colliers, it is not just what we do but how we do it. Under his leadership, Colliers is operating as a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. Over the years, Colliers has built a well-known and highly respected global brand and operating platform. Colliers’ entrepreneurial culture and partnership philosophy attract the best talent to lead the industry into the future. Colliers has a disciplined growth strategy with a focus on growing faster than the overall market. Additionally, under his direction, Colliers India is following the Global Sustainability Solutions Group’s Environmental, Social, and Governance standards. The goal is to implement governance policies that will provide the clients access to practical and finest energy and sustainability expertise, allowing them to increase operational performance and resource productivity while lowering their carbon footprint.

AN UNENDING SERIES OF AWARDS

For his contribution to the Indian real estate sector, Mr. Prasad has garnered numerous awards in India and abroad. He has been honored with the Most Inspirational Leader award in Real Estate in 2020 by White Page International. The Realty Plus group has recognized him as one of the Top 100 Real Estate Influencers. Owing to his unwavering efforts, Colliers has been awarded as India’s Most Admired Brands in 2020 by White Page International and the Best Realty Brand by the Economic Times Group. His vision is to develop organically over the next 3 years, surpassing growth targets and emerge as the country’s leading real estate management and investment management firm. With a clear vision, confidence, and passion, he has been making an indelible mark in the field of entrepreneurship. He is someone you can look up to and strive to be!

Rajiv started his career in the year 1992 as a graduate engineer trainee at Essar Shipping Limited in Mumbai (Maharashtra), India. Since then, he has remained in the shipping and maritime industry, studying, implementing, and pioneering new ways for this centuries-old industry to adapt to modern-day trends.

One of the most astonishing characteristics of Rajiv is his zeal to make S’hail Shipping and Maritime Services outshine everyone in the competition. Within four years of its inception in December 2016, the company had grown to become Qatar’s largest owner of Dry Bulk Ships, with operations on six continents. From being the largest dry bulk ship-owner in Qatar, the company is on track to become the largest in the Middle East Region within the next few years owing to his relentless efforts.

He has a track record of enhancing organizational efficiency while growing sales and profit, earning him a reputation as one of the industry’s most renowned personalities. On being asked about his career highpoint, the elated leader says, “In 2016, Mr. Mohammed Khalifa Al-Sada, a veteran of Qatar’s maritime industry and the current Chairman of S’hail Shipping and Maritime Services, asked me to take on the task of establishing a non-oil and gas company in Qatar for sea transportation of dry bulk commodities. It’s been a fascinating journey for me since then.”

Rajiv considers his father as his mentor, guiding light, and pillar of strength. For him, his father’s guidance has been the source of his motivation to become a successful entrepreneur. “His best advice that has remained with me in my entrepreneurial journey is to march ahead with perseverance, productivity, and passion,” says the leader.

A RISK-TAKER

For Rajiv, entrepreneurship is all about taking risks because opportunities and risks are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, the optimistic leader consistently embraces new opportunities every day, along with the associated risks. He thinks that a company’s rewards are determined by the risks it takes. Therefore, as a leader, he takes, manages, and turns risks into rewards for the stakeholders.

For instance when S’hail Shipping and Maritime Services was established in December 2016, he was tasked to buy Ships for sea transportation of aggregates (stones used in the construction industry) from UAE to Qatar. With the abrupt economic embargo implemented by the UAE on Qatar in June 2017, that goal became a mission impossible in the next 6 months.

Since he was adamant about making the best of the situation, he decided to move his ships into international seas for dry bulk commodities. The success that followed demonstrated the leader’s organizational know-how, and determination to succeed. Presently, as Qatar’s largest dry bulk shipowner, the company is naturally one of the top contributors to Qatar’s 2030 vision of promoting the non-oil and gas service industry.

The bold leader says, “Identifying a worthwhile risk and then having the fortitude to take it is the unforeseen edge for successful entrepreneurship.” He believes that every move an entrepreneur makes is intimidating since nothing guarantees 100% success, no matter how brilliant your idea is. “You must take a leap of faith frequently and from higher altitudes to create and maintain a thriving business,” he adds.

UNIQUE LEADERSHIP STYLE

Rajiv not only preaches but also follows through on his words. His management approach is direct and to the point. His straightforward approach appears to be paying off for the company, which has experienced massive growth in the recent years. When asked about his leadership style, he says, he strives to drive constant due diligence and optimize the value chain to deliver worthwhile results for all parties involved.

SERVING THE SOCIETY

CSR, for Rajiv, is a norm rather than a duty. He says, “We are well integrated into our local and global societies for creating a meaningful and positive impact in various aspects.” The generous leader is involved in a variety of CSR efforts, including donating money to deserving local people in need, and investing in the maintenance and enhancement of global marine water quality. He also actively participates in developing decarbonization solutions.

He believes in making a significant difference in people’s lives in several ways. He says, “One of our major aims is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We take part in Rightship’s GHG rating, which uses one of two sources to determine a ship’s design efficiency: the Existing Vessel Design Index (EVDI) or the Efficiency Design Index (EDI).

He ensures that the company maintains the highest possible rating for the existing vessel index. He also strives to improve the rating by adding cutting-edge new propulsion technologies to improve the environment, thereby assisting in the reduction of large losses caused by poor weather as a result of environmental degradation. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the leader ensured that preventive measures were put in place as soon as possible so that none of its 185 seafarers become COVID-19 positive. The leader asserts, “We maintained a policy of reaching out to and assisting any of the family members of our seafarers who had been left behind onshore, including, if necessary, repatriating the seafarer whose presence was requested by their family back home. He adds, “This method has aided in keeping our seafarers’ morale up, even as they work in seas far away from their homes.”

WELL-EARNED PRESTIGE

Rajiv has been bestowed with honors and recognitions for his groundbreaking achievements. The most valuable endorsement of the organization’s achievements and growth capabilities came from Qatar Development Bank, which allocated QAR 70 million from its fund to Rajiv’s leadership at S’hail Shipping and Maritime Services to acquire ships to expand its business for the development of Qatar’s economy.

Mr. Choudhary has been efficiently spearheading the first wholly-owned overseas facility of PMD Group UK. Under his exemplary leadership, the firm offers a complete range of electroplating and surface treatment processes to the automotive, electronic, printed circuit board and jewellery industries in the country. He has played a significant role in the appointment of distributors in key strategic markets. Owing to his dedicated efforts, the company has received India 5000 Best MSME Award.

WORKING HIS WAY TO THE TOP

After completing his studies as an aeronautical engineer, Mr. Choudhary made a drastic shift in his career path and ventured into the chemical industry. He elaborates, “When I passed out in the year 1992, at that time, there was not much scope for aeronautical engineers. The career options were restricted to the Indian Airlines, Air India or the Defence. So, I entered into the chemical industry and especially the electroplating, I found it challenging. Today, I am into this industry and I’m really enjoying it.”

An expert in Business operations, he possesses excellent Problem Solving skills, values Customer Service and holds rich domestic and international experience. Talking about how he began his journey with PMD Chemicals and bringing their operations to India, Mr. Choudhary elaborates, “I am an aeronautical engineer by qualification, but I ventured into the chemical industry, and worked in various positions. It was in the year 2011 that I decided to bring one company to India. There were so many companies in the pipeline but I went to the PMD UK, and we finally decided to start the operation in India during 2012.”

Having achieved remarkable success in the chemical industry sector, he declares with pride, “I started this company from scratch. In 2012, no one knew about the PMD in India, but now this company is so much popular. In the UK, we were supplying to Rolls Royce and all the big companies over there. This is a great achievement. I’m very proud to say we are a profitable company in India.”

Sharing his success mantra, he says, “Our excellence mantra is that your future requires our liquid. Because whatever our products are in liquid, and anything starting from the needle of the aeroplane or the BrahMos all require our chemistry. Our main mantra is processing chemistry, and obtaining the metal finishing deposit.”

CONSIDERING THE CUSTOMER AS KING

Mr. Choudhary is of the view that businesses must not hesitate in treating their customers as king. He vehemently believes that customers should be given topmost priority in every business. According to him, the USP of PMD Chemicals which differentiates it from the others in the industry is its customer-centricity. He asserts, “We develop our products after discussion with customers and their requirements. We understand what their needs are. They should be user friendly. In addition, all our products are environmentally friendly. In the chemical industry, being environmentally friendly is very much important and our company takes proper care of that.”

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Mr. Chaudhary has faced numerous challenges in his career journey. For instance, building the brand PMD in India required a lot of consistency, focus and dedication. Talking about some of the challenges he faced, he elaborates, “One of the major challenge during this situation was to make sure that your colleagues and everyone associated with your business should not be affected by the downfall of the business and one of the major problems I faced was the cash flow. Thus, we have to take stock of numerous factors that affect the market. For instance, if you realize that the cost of raw material has gone up even if ample amount of raw material has been coming from the UK, it could be because the Sterling Pound is at a very high value. So, we need to manage all the tough times and challenges without affecting our customers.”

Sharing some of the steps that he has undertaken to overcome these challenges, he says, “We have discussed the issue with our Parent company in the UK and have suggested that the raw material can be procured from the UK in bulk so that the discount could be obtained. Also, I have received the credit period of more than 90 days so that the cash flow will not get too much affected over here and I can manage the business, my staff and my customers will also not get affected by the price increase.”

FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE

Referring to the present day changing global scenario, Mr. Choudhary feels that a leader must possess the qualities of flexibility and adaptability. Sharing about the future plans for the company and himself, Mr. Choudhary tells us, “In the school we are taught to make the five year plan but right now it will not work because the landscape changes. The reality over here is everyday one has to pay for new things. Whatever ventures we have, we have to plan accordingly. Also I don’t want to waste valuable time on drafting the five years plan rather I believe in sticking to the short-term or near future plans, so we are working on the six months or a year plan.”

STRIKING THE PERFECT WORK-LIFE BALANCE

The proverb ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ holds true for Mr. Choudhary. For him, hard work is necessary to achieve our goals in life, however, he puts an equal emphasis on rejuvenation. He strongly believes that concentration on work alone with no recreation tends to make a person dull and unsociable. Reminiscing some of the life’s lessons, the biggest advice that he would like to give to young entrepreneurs is to strike an effective balance between work and personal life. He rightly elaborates, “One good lesson that I have learnt from life is to work hard and play harder. An entrepreneur is bound to work harder, I would say, even working more than other people do. But don’t sacrifice your social life and the family life and fun. We have to accompany both the things together.”