Who is Punit Renjen? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Age: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Heather Renjen

Born Country: India

CEOs American Men

Notable Alumni: Willamette University

More Facts

education: Willamette University, The Lawrence School, Sanawar, Willamette University MBA

awards: Top 25 Most Influential Consultants (Consulting Magazine 2007)
National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)

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Childhood & Early Life

Punit Renjen was born in Rohtak, Haryana, India in 1961. He spent his early childhood in Rohtak itself.

His father had to give up studying engineering in the UK because of the partition of the country in 1947. In order to give their son best education, Renjen’s parent sent him away to a boarding school - The Lawrence School, Sanawar - near Shimla.

He studied there till the age of fourteen. His father, who ran an electrical switchgear factory, suffered a setback in his business. Financial problems forced Renjen to return to Rohtak and continue his studies in local schools.

During this time, he also worked in his father’s factory after school hours were over. He took admission in a local college and completed his bachelor’s degree in economics. Thereafter, he picked up a job in Usha International and worked there for some time.

In 1984, Rotary Foundation Scholarship offered him a ticket to the US and a full scholarship to study in Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He went to Atkinson Graduate School of Management and completed his Master of Management from there in 1986.

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Career

While Punit Renjen was still in Atkinson Graduate School of Management, a local magazine selected and profiled him as one of the ten best students. The magazine was read by a Touche Ross partner on a flight who then sent him an invite for an interview with the company. He was eventually hired as an associate consultant in the late 1980s.

Touche Ross merged with Deloitte Haskins & Sells to become Deloitte & Touche in 1989 and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in 1993. Renjen has continued working for Deloitte ever since.

Between 1999 and 2009, he served as U.S. Leader & DTTL Leader for Deloitte’s M&A Consultative Services and Consulting Strategy & Operations services.

In 2009, he was appointed the Chairman and CEO, Deloitte Consulting LLP and continued in the position for a couple of years.

Starting 2011 till 2015, he assumed the position of Chairman, Deloitte LLP (US) Board of Directors. In this capacity, he spearheaded the board in giving governance and supervision on important issues like firm strategy, operations, risk mitigation, and talent development.

In June 2015, he took over the responsibilities of the Global CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte Global). He succeeded Barry Salzberg and was appointed to the position post an election and almost unanimous ratification by thousands of Deloitte's partners.

In June 2019, he was re-elected for the post of Deloitte Global CEO for another term of four years.

Punit Renjen is a member of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council, The Business Roundtable and The International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. Together with this, he is also a board member of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum. In past, he has served as the chairman of the United Way Worldwide.

He has co-written several articles for the business magazine ‘Chief Executive’ and ‘The Journal of Business Strategy’.

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He is also amongst the founder of the Lincoln Center India Advisory Council.

Major Works

In 2015, Punit Renjen became the Global CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. With this, he became the first Asian born person to lead one of the ‘Big Four’ global professional services firm. The other three firms that make the Big Four are Ernst & Young, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In his role as the CEO, he adopted a global strategy to make Deloitte the absolute leader of professional services. During his first tenure, he spearheaded collaborative strategic endeavors which consequently led to more consistent experiences for clients, professionals, and communities of the company.

In 2018, he launched a global initiative ‘Worldclass’ that aims to empower 50 million people around the world by 2030 by giving them access to education and skills and prepare them for future opportunities.

The same initiative was launched in India in 2019 with a commitment to back 10 million girls and women and make them competent by 2030 through education and skill development programme.

Awards & Achievements

In 2007, he was included in the list of ‘Top 25 Most Influential Consultants’ by ALM Media’s ‘Consulting Magazine’. The publication annually honours 25 most distinguished consultants (out of numerous nominations) from the consulting field.

For three successive years, starting 2012, he was given National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) ‘Directorship 100 award. The award honours corporate directors and governance experts who have remarkable influence on boardroom practices and performance.

In 2015, he featured in the inaugural list of ‘Influential Leaders’ compiled by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). The list honours the alumni from 100 AACSB-member-school alumini who, through their professional and volunteer work, inspire others.

In 2017, the Haryana government presented him with the ‘Gaurav Samman’. The award is given to Pravasi Haryanvis who have made major contribution in their respective fields.

The Willamette University gave him an honorary degree in 2019.

In 2020, he won the ‘Oregon History Makers Medal’ for his visionary business leadership. The award is given by Oregon Historical Society.

Family & Personal Life

Punit Renjen is married to Heather Renjen and the couple have a son together. They reside in Portland, Oregon.

Aside from his work, he is passionate about sports, cricket and football in particular. He also likes running.

His favourite book is the ‘Bhagvad Gita’.

Trivia

While in the management school in the US, he recorded his lectures on a tape recorder because it was difficult for him to follow the American accent.

Punit Renjen Biography