Famous Indian CEOs

Indra Nooyi is an Indian-born American business executive renowned for her leadership at PepsiCo, where she served as chairman and CEO from 2006 to 2018. She is consistently recognized as one of the world's most powerful women, ranking high on prestigious lists such as Forbes and Fortune. Nooyi's influence extends beyond PepsiCo, as she sits on the boards of various organizations, including Amazon and the International Cricket Council. Her professional journey is marked by strategic acumen, innovative thinking, and a commitment to advancing women in business.

Satya Nadella is an Indian-American business executive, serving as the executive chairman and CEO of Microsoft. He took over as CEO in 2014 and became chairman in 2021. Nadella previously held the role of executive vice president of Microsoft's cloud and enterprise group, overseeing the development and operation of the company's computing platforms. Under his leadership, Microsoft has focused on cloud computing services and expanded its technological innovations, solidifying its position as a major player in the tech industry.

Shantanu Narayen is an Indian-American business executive known for his leadership at Adobe Inc. He has been the chairman, president, and CEO of the company since December 2007. Prior to assuming his current roles, Narayen served as the president and COO of Adobe Inc. starting in 2005. His professional journey has been marked by a strong focus on innovation and growth, leading Adobe Inc. to continued success in the technology sector under his guidance.

Chanda Kochhar is an Indian banker who served as the managing director and chief executive officer of ICICI Bank from 2009 to 2018. Her tenure ended following a case of conflict of interest, which led to her resignation and subsequent termination by ICICI Bank. She faced allegations of money laundering and was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in December 2022 in connection with alleged loan fraud charges. A case was filed against her in 2019 for granting high-value loans to Videocon with conspiracy during 2009.

Lakshmi Mittal is an Indian steel magnate based in the UK, serving as the executive chairman of ArcelorMittal, the world's second largest steelmaking company. He also chairs stainless steel manufacturer Aperam. Mittal has significant ownership stakes in ArcelorMittal and Queens Park Rangers. He has been recognized for his business acumen, with Forbes ranking him as one of the richest individuals globally. Mittal holds positions on various prestigious boards and councils, showcasing his influence and leadership in the business world.

Adar Poonawalla is an Indian businessman known for his role as the chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India and Chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp. He has made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry through his leadership at Serum Institute, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers. Poonawalla's strategic vision and business acumen have played a crucial role in the company's success and its global impact on public health. He continues to drive innovation and growth in the healthcare sector, solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in the industry.

Shiv Nadar is an Indian billionaire businessman and philanthropist known for founding and chairing HCL Technologies. He established HCL in 1976, successfully transitioning it from an IT hardware company to a prominent IT enterprise. Nadar's contributions to the industry were recognized with the Padma Bhushan award in 2008. Referred to as "Magus" by friends, he has dedicated his efforts since the mid-1990s to enhancing India's educational system through the Shiv Nadar Foundation. Forbes estimates his net worth at US$36.5 billion as of July 2024.

Ajaypal Singh "Ajay" Banga is an Indian-born American business executive with a distinguished career in the corporate world. He has held significant leadership positions, including President of the World Bank Group, Executive Chairman of Mastercard, Chairman of Exor, and Chairman of the U.S.-India Business Council. Banga has also been involved in public-private partnerships, such as the Partnership for Central America with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. He has made notable contributions to international business and commerce, exemplifying strong leadership and strategic acumen.

Vinod Khosla is an Indian-American billionaire businessman and venture capitalist known for co-founding Sun Microsystems and founding Khosla Ventures. He gained wealth through early venture capital investments in networking, software, and alternative energy technologies. Khosla is recognized as a highly successful and influential venture capitalist. He has been listed among the richest individuals in the United States by Forbes, with his net worth estimated at $6.8 billion as of March 2024.

Gautam Vijaypat Singhania is the chairman and managing director of the Raymond Group, a global leader in suiting fabric production. He has been instrumental in restructuring the group, focusing on core businesses like fabrics, apparel brands, prophylactics, and men's toiletries. Singhania has successfully established international partnerships for Raymond, enhancing its market presence. With a strong background in the family's JK Group, Singhania has played key roles in the company's growth, ultimately becoming chairman in 2000. His visionary leadership has propelled Raymond Group to new heights of success and profitability.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra is an influential Indian businesswoman and philanthropist who serves as the chairperson of HCL Technologies, making her the first woman to lead a listed IT company in India. She is also the CEO of HCL Corporation, the holding company of all HCL Group entities. Roshni's impressive career includes being ranked among the world's most powerful women by Forbes multiple times. Her achievements have solidified her position as one of the most successful and impactful figures in the business world.

Aditya Mittal is the CEO of ArcelorMittal, a company founded by his father. He has played a key role in the company's success and growth, demonstrating strong leadership and strategic vision. Under his leadership, ArcelorMittal has expanded its global presence, diversified its operations, and maintained a strong position in the steel industry. Aditya Mittal's business acumen and management skills have been instrumental in driving the company forward and ensuring its continued success in the competitive global market.

Subhash Chandra Goenka is an Indian media magnate known for founding Zee TV in 1992 and chairing the Essel Group, a prominent Indian media conglomerate. He has held leadership positions within the Zee Media organization and has also been involved in Indian politics, having been elected to the Upper House of the Indian parliament as an independent candidate supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 2022, he ran as an Independent candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, supported by the BJP, but was unsuccessful in the election.

Amit Bhatia is a prominent British-Indian businessman known for his role as the founding partner of Swordfish Investments and chairman of Queens Park Rangers football club. With a strong background in business and finance, Bhatia has successfully led Swordfish Investments to success and played a key role in overseeing the operations of the football club. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving growth and success in both ventures, establishing him as a respected figure in the business and sports industries.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma is an Indian technology entrepreneur and business magnate. He is the founder, chairman, and managing director of One97 Communications, which he established in 1997. In 2010, he launched Paytm, a popular consumer brand under the company. Sharma was appointed as the UA Ambassador in India by the Universal Acceptance Steering Group in January 2022. With a net worth of US$1.1 billion as of September 2022, he has made significant contributions to the technology and business sectors.

Arvind Krishna is an Indian-American business executive serving as the chairman and CEO of IBM. He started his career at IBM in 1990, eventually rising to senior vice president in 2015. In this role, he managed IBM Cloud & Cognitive Software and IBM Research divisions. Notably, Krishna played a key role in the acquisition of Red Hat, the largest acquisition in IBM's history. He assumed the CEO position in April 2020 and became chairman in January 2021.

Naina Lal Kidwai is a prominent Indian banker, chartered accountant, and business executive with a distinguished career in the financial sector. She served as the Group General Manager and Country Head of HSBC India, demonstrating strong leadership and strategic acumen. Additionally, Kidwai's contributions extend to her role as the former President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), where she played a key role in shaping economic policies and fostering business growth in India.

Prithviraj Singh "Biki" Oberoi was a prominent Indian hotelier known for his leadership as the executive chairman of the Oberoi Group, one of India's top hospitality chains. He received accolades for his exceptional service to the country, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award. Oberoi took over as chairman of EIH Limited in 2002 and served as CEO until 2013. With a background in hotel management, he was recognized as the "Corporate Hotelier of the World" in 2010. Oberoi's influence in the global hospitality industry was acknowledged, cementing his legacy as a powerful figure in the sector.

Kushal Pal Singh is an Indian billionaire real estate developer, serving as the chairman and CEO of DLF Limited, a prominent real estate company established by his father-in-law. Under his leadership, DLF has amassed significant land holdings, including a substantial presence in Gurugram. Singh gained global recognition when he was ranked as the 8th richest person in the world by Forbes in 2008. His autobiography, "Whatever the Odds: The Incredible Story Behind DLF," offers insights into his remarkable journey in the industry. As of 2024, he remains a key figure in India's business landscape, ranked as the 7th richest individual in the country.

N. R. Narayana Murthy is an Indian billionaire businessman known for co-founding Infosys and serving in various leadership roles within the company, including chairman, CEO, president, and chief mentor. He played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian IT sector through outsourcing. Murthy's contributions have been recognized globally, with honors such as the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri awards. He has been hailed as one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time and has chaired prestigious events like the World Economic Forum.

Ritesh Agarwal is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur known for founding and leading OYO Rooms as its CEO. He has made a significant impact in the hospitality industry with his innovative approach to budget accommodations. Agarwal's achievements include being a prominent figure in Shark Tank India (season 3) and amassing a substantial net worth. His success is reflected in his estimated net worth of around ₹16,000 crore as of March 2024, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen and business prowess.

Roopak Saluja is a highly accomplished figure in India's Advertising, Media, and Marketing Industry. He has consistently been recognized for his influence and leadership, featuring in prestigious lists such as Campaign India's A-List and Campaign Asia-Pacific's ‘40 Under 40’. Roopak's professional engagements extend beyond his industry accolades, as he is actively involved in the Aspen Global Leadership Network and serves on various company and advisory boards. His role as an angel investor in early-stage businesses showcases his commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Faqir Chand Kohli was a prominent figure in the Indian IT industry, known for his pivotal role as a co-founder and the first CEO of TCS, India's largest software services company. He also held key positions in other Tata Group companies and served as President of NASSCOM. Recognized for his significant contributions, Kohli was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2002. Often hailed as the "Father of the Indian IT Industry," he played a crucial part in establishing and fostering the growth of the sector.

Binny Bansal is an Indian billionaire Internet entrepreneur known for co-founding the e-commerce platform Flipkart in 2007. He served as the chief operating officer before being promoted to chief executive officer in January 2016. Bansal later became the group CEO before resigning in November 2018 due to personal misconduct allegations. He is also an anchor investor in the venture firm 021 Capital and has made investments in the endowment fund of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

Verghese Kurien was an Indian dairy engineer and social entrepreneur known for leading the White Revolution in India. He established the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, which later became Amul, revolutionizing the dairy industry by organizing farmers into cooperatives. As head of the National Dairy Development Board, Kurien expanded this cooperative model nationwide, transforming dairy farming into a self-sustaining industry. His efforts significantly increased milk production in India, earning him recognition as the "Father of the White Revolution" and several prestigious awards for his contributions.