Jairaj Purandare: From Technical Mastery To Transformational Leadership
Jairaj Purandare
Chairman
With increasing scrutiny from regulators, investors, and the public, Independent Directors today must possess deep expertise, maturity in judgment and an unwavering commitment to integrity.
Amid this evolving governance landscape, leaders with decades of strategic experience and cross domain exposure stand out. Jairaj Purandare, Chairman, JMP Advisors, is one such respected name who has made a meaningful contribution to Board leadership in India.
Jairaj Purandare’s professional journey began at Hoechst Pharmaceuticals, where he built a solid technical base and developed an industry perspective of tax and regulatory frame works.
His move to Arthur Andersen, the largest brand in the Audit, Tax and Consultancy practice areas, marked a high-growth phase, shaping both his expertise and leadership.
When Andersen collapsed due to the Enron debacle, he navigated his team through uncertainty with decisiveness and resilience, transitioning them within a short span to Ernst & Young, where he served as Chairman.
His career further expanded at PwC, where he served as Chairman – Tax and as Regional Managing Partner, taking on roles that required innovation, agility and forward thinking. His entrepreneurial milestone came with the founding of JMP Advisors in Mumbai - a firm built on technical and service excellence, meritocracy, professionalism and ethics.
Alongside consulting, his role as an Independent Director across several leading listed companies reflects his commitment to governance, accountability and sustainable growth.
What drives him is simple yet powerful: a belief that growth comes from embracing change, staying curious and thinking differently - values that continue to define his impactful legacy. Let’s hear more from him in this one on one inter-action.
Describe your leadership style. What guidelines or methodologies do you follow as a leader?
My leadership style is centered around growth, collaboration and accountability. I believe true leadership is about developing people, not directing them. I focus on mentoring, empowering and encouraging curiosity while operating with complete transparency, as trust is earned through consistent actions.
I adopt a consultative and consensus-driven approach, based on mutual respect and dignity, ensuring every voice, including the most junior team member, is valued. At JMP Advisors, regular teamwide discussions, smaller focused meetings, and an annual 360-degree anonymous feedback process help create space for ideas, dialogue, and improvement.
For me, leadership is about building an institution, not just a firm. It means upholding ethics,
meritocracy and excellence, creating a culture where learning never stops and high-quality client service is non -negotiable. Ultimately, my goal is to build teams that are agile, confident, accountable, and prepared for the future. This is the very culture that we have built in JMP Advsiors.
What is your approach to nurturing talent and developing the next generation of leaders?
My approach is grounded in three principles: empowerment exposure and continuous development. I believe people grow when they are trusted with meaningful responsibility, so I focus on creating an environment where they feel genuine ownership of their work.
Learning plays a key role, and I ensure high-potential talent receives mentorship, constructive feedback, and opportunities that challenge them. At JMP Advisors, access to the right tools, infrastructure and training is considered equally important to unlock performance.
I also believe future leaders need perspective, so I encourage cross-functional exposure, involvement in strategic discussions and participation in decision making. When the right culture is in place, leadership doesn’t have to be appointed - it emerges naturally.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organisation towards the future?
In our field, knowledge is not just power — it is the core of what we deliver. Staying current is essential. I prioritize reading relevant technical updates, under standing emerging trends and engaging in regular discussions both within my team at JMP Advisors and with external experts.
Interactions with regulatory bodies provide insight into policy direction and upcoming changes. Additionally, serving on Boards of several listed companies exposes me to diverse perspectives and challenges across industries, offering a broader understanding of market dynamics.
By combining continuous learning, dialogue and first-hand exposure, I ensure that I can anticipate shifts, adapt strategies and guide the organisation confidently toward the future.
Having spoken at numerous seminars both in India and abroad, what motivates you to share your expertise?
Speaking at seminars, whether in India or abroad, is my way of nurturing future leaders, inspiring fresh ideas, and encouraging people to think boldly about their role and potential. It allows me to share practical insights while also learning from the diverse perspectives of attendees.
If my experiences can help others navigate challenges or approach problems differently, I see genuine value in that exchange. Additionally, every seminar brings new questions, viewpoints, and experiences, which keep me engaged, curious and continuously evolving as a leader.
What is the future destination you are heading towards?
Personally, I aim to continue serving as a strategic sentinel, upholding the highest standards of quality, transparency, governance and sustainability. In my role as an Independent Director on the Boards of listed companies, my goal is to safeguard the interests of a wide spectrum of stakeholders, while contributing to long-term value creation and responsible decision making.
Building strong cross functional teams and fostering innovation by staying attuned to customer needs and market shifts
What is your approach to nurturing talent and developing the next generation of leaders?
My approach is grounded in three principles: empowerment exposure and continuous development. I believe people grow when they are trusted with meaningful responsibility, so I focus on creating an environment where they feel genuine ownership of their work.
Learning plays a key role, and I ensure high-potential talent receives mentorship, constructive feedback, and opportunities that challenge them. At JMP Advisors, access to the right tools, infrastructure and training is considered equally important to unlock performance.
I also believe future leaders need perspective, so I encourage cross-functional exposure, involvement in strategic discussions and participation in decision making. When the right culture is in place, leadership doesn’t have to be appointed - it emerges naturally.
How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organisation towards the future?
In our field, knowledge is not just power — it is the core of what we deliver. Staying current is essential. I prioritize reading relevant technical updates, under standing emerging trends and engaging in regular discussions both within my team at JMP Advisors and with external experts.
Interactions with regulatory bodies provide insight into policy direction and upcoming changes. Additionally, serving on Boards of several listed companies exposes me to diverse perspectives and challenges across industries, offering a broader understanding of market dynamics.
By combining continuous learning, dialogue and first-hand exposure, I ensure that I can anticipate shifts, adapt strategies and guide the organisation confidently toward the future.
Having spoken at numerous seminars both in India and abroad, what motivates you to share your expertise?
Speaking at seminars, whether in India or abroad, is my way of nurturing future leaders, inspiring fresh ideas, and encouraging people to think boldly about their role and potential. It allows me to share practical insights while also learning from the diverse perspectives of attendees.
If my experiences can help others navigate challenges or approach problems differently, I see genuine value in that exchange. Additionally, every seminar brings new questions, viewpoints, and experiences, which keep me engaged, curious and continuously evolving as a leader.
What is the future destination you are heading towards?
Personally, I aim to continue serving as a strategic sentinel, upholding the highest standards of quality, transparency, governance and sustainability. In my role as an Independent Director on the Boards of listed companies, my goal is to safeguard the interests of a wide spectrum of stakeholders, while contributing to long-term value creation and responsible decision making.
For JMP Advisors, I envision building a centre of excellence, a place where the next gene -ration of tax and regulatory professionals can be nurtured. I believe mid-size firms that offer close interaction with senior leadership can become incubators of specialised talent, developing experts who understand both the technical and strategic dimensions of their field.
In the long term, I want JMP Advisors to evolve from a service provider into a trusted, strategic, value adding partner for our clients. By combining deep technical expertise with personalised attention and bespoke solutions, we aim to deliver impact beyond conventional advisory. Ultimately, my aspiration is to see the firm recognised as one of India’s most admired professional services organisations.
Based on your extensive experience in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the field?
In the tax and regulatory space, the rules are written in black and white, but interpretations evolve constantly. For aspiring leaders, mastering the fundamentals is only the beginning. The real edge comes from anticipating change and staying open to new ideas.
Tax and regulation is a dynamic field, and exposure to diverse perspectives such as through serving on Boards offers invaluable learning opportunities. Global trends, from BEPS to digital taxation and ESG mandates, are reshaping local practices, and leaders must translate these shifts into actionable strategies for their organisations.
Technology is redefining the landscape. Artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics are not mere buzzwords, they are essential tools that enable faster, smarter and more strategic solutions. Leaders who embrace these innovations can transform compliance into a competitive advantage.
Yet, amid disruption, one principle remains timeless: integrity. In a trust-driven profession, every decision must withstand scrutiny. Combining technical mastery, technological fluency, strategic vision and unwavering ethics is the path not just to survival, but to true leadership.
Jairaj Purandare, Chairman, JMP Advisors
Jairaj Purandare is Chairman of JMP Advisors, with decades of experience in tax, audit, and consultancy. He has led organizations like Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young and PwC, and serves as an Independent Director on several listed companies, combining technical expertise, strategic insight and a commitment to governance and ethical leadership.
Hobbies: travelling, reading, following sports like tennis and cricket, watching movies
Favorite Cuisine: Chinese, Indian
Favorite Book: Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity, C. Rajagopalachari’s Mahabharata
Favorite Travel Destination: London (my grand daughter lives there!)
Awards & Recognition:
•Recognised consistently as a highly regarded tax practitioner in India by International tax Review including in the World Tax and Transfer 2026 Directory
•City of London Advisory Council for India - member
•ITSG International Network - steering committee member
•Central Direct Taxes Advisory Committee (chaired by the Finance Minister) - former member
•YPO Gold – member, former YPO Regional Net works Chair, Finance Chair
In the long term, I want JMP Advisors to evolve from a service provider into a trusted, strategic, value adding partner for our clients. By combining deep technical expertise with personalised attention and bespoke solutions, we aim to deliver impact beyond conventional advisory. Ultimately, my aspiration is to see the firm recognised as one of India’s most admired professional services organisations.
Based on your extensive experience in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the field?
In the tax and regulatory space, the rules are written in black and white, but interpretations evolve constantly. For aspiring leaders, mastering the fundamentals is only the beginning. The real edge comes from anticipating change and staying open to new ideas.
Tax and regulation is a dynamic field, and exposure to diverse perspectives such as through serving on Boards offers invaluable learning opportunities. Global trends, from BEPS to digital taxation and ESG mandates, are reshaping local practices, and leaders must translate these shifts into actionable strategies for their organisations.
Technology is redefining the landscape. Artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics are not mere buzzwords, they are essential tools that enable faster, smarter and more strategic solutions. Leaders who embrace these innovations can transform compliance into a competitive advantage.
Yet, amid disruption, one principle remains timeless: integrity. In a trust-driven profession, every decision must withstand scrutiny. Combining technical mastery, technological fluency, strategic vision and unwavering ethics is the path not just to survival, but to true leadership.
Jairaj Purandare, Chairman, JMP Advisors
Jairaj Purandare is Chairman of JMP Advisors, with decades of experience in tax, audit, and consultancy. He has led organizations like Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young and PwC, and serves as an Independent Director on several listed companies, combining technical expertise, strategic insight and a commitment to governance and ethical leadership.
Hobbies: travelling, reading, following sports like tennis and cricket, watching movies
Favorite Cuisine: Chinese, Indian
Favorite Book: Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity, C. Rajagopalachari’s Mahabharata
Favorite Travel Destination: London (my grand daughter lives there!)
Awards & Recognition:
•Recognised consistently as a highly regarded tax practitioner in India by International tax Review including in the World Tax and Transfer 2026 Directory
•City of London Advisory Council for India - member
•ITSG International Network - steering committee member
•Central Direct Taxes Advisory Committee (chaired by the Finance Minister) - former member
•YPO Gold – member, former YPO Regional Net works Chair, Finance Chair