Rajinder Kumar Malhotra , Former Group CEO, Modi Enterprises
Every great success story is shaped by mentors, colleagues, and leaders whose guidance turns challenges into turning points. The 50-year journey of Rajinder Kumar Malhotra (RKM), former Group CEO of Modi Enterprises, is also the story of his people-first ideology, which became the hallmark of his leadership. RKM began his career with the Ford Foundation project at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, before joining Indofil Industries in 1973. At Indofil, the company initially focused on domestic brand building as a subsidiary of Rohm & Haas. In 1994, RKM became CEO of Indofil, then a ₹130 crore company. By 2020, it had grown into a ₹2,300 crore enterprise with a presence in over 100 countries. By embedding innovation, sustainability, and collaboration into the Group’s culture, he created a legacy of growth with responsibility in all Group businesses, i.e., Agro & Specialty Chemicals, Tobacco, cosmetics, Education and retail, transforming not only businesses but also the communities they touched.
CEOs: Captain of the Ship
By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor
In the ever-changing business world, as organizations adapt to swift market changes and technological advancements, the evolution of the leadership function is natural. Corporate leadership spearheads team building, ideation
What Gen Z Wants at Work and How to Build Teams That Deliver in the AI Era
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With more than two decades of global experience, Remadevi Thottathil, Chief Human Resources Officer at LatentView Analytics,
By: Pyush Lohia, Director, Lohia Worldspace
A real-estate strategist and new-age entrepreneur, Pyush’s professional canvas reflects his sharp business acumen, understanding of new-reality technologies and customer services in diverse industries.
By: Gopi Santhanam, Executive Vice President & COO, Delivery – Professional Services, Hexaware
Gopi Santhanam is a senior technology and operations leader, serving as Executive Vice President & COO, Delivery for the Professional Services vertical at Hexaware. He has been instrumental in scaling
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Top 10 Group CEOs in India - 2025
India’s corporate landscape has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the past two decades, and at the helm of this transformation are its Group CEOs - visionaries who steer large conglomerates, diversified business groups, and multi-sector enterprises through complex market dynamics. These leaders are responsible not only for operational excellence across varied industries but also for defining strategic direction, fostering innovation, and sustaining growth in an environment marked by rapid technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and global competition.
Group CEOs in India play a pivotal role in harmonizing the operations of multiple subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with the overall vision while balancing financial performance, brand integrity, and organizational culture. Their leadership demands a rare combination of analytical rigor, entrepreneurial thinking, and adaptive decision-making. From legacy family-run conglomerates to modern multinational entities, these executives are navigating digital transformation, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives, and market expansion strategies to maintain relevance and competitive advantage.
Beyond business metrics, India’s Group CEOs are increasingly recognized for shaping corporate responsibility agendas, driving talent development, and fostering innovation ecosystems that nurture future leaders. Their strategic foresight impacts not only shareholder value but also societal outcomes, job creation, and sectoral growth.
"These leaders exemplify the blend of resilience, vision, and execution capability required to steer multiple businesses successfully while positioning India as a hub of global corporate leadership"
In a country where economic complexity and diversity are as vast as its geography, the role of a Group CEO is both challenging and transformative. These leaders exemplify the blend of resilience, vision, and execution capability required to steer multiple businesses successfully while positioning India as a hub of global corporate leadership.
CEO Insights in this issue presents a list of ‘Top 10 Group CEOs in India - 2025' who have leveraged their extensive industry expertise and experience in offering effective skills to the market. The following list has been prepared after being closely scrutinized by a distinguished panel of judges including CXOs, analysts and our editorial board. We recognize their valuable contribution to the ever expanding and competitive market and their ability to sustain themselves and emerge as top contestants through their reliable knowledge.
| Company Logo | Company Management | Company Name | Company Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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Abinand A,Group CEO | Raam Group | He has spent over two decades in the automotive domain at various levels, with experience ranging from strategic planning to managing P&L |
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Anupama Gupta,Group CEO | Good Earth | With 34 years of experience across startups, large companies, and a retail giant, she has a foundation in business strategy and operations, particularly within the retail sector |
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Arjun Santhanakrishnan,Group CEO | GS Global Group | With a focus on digital transformation, operational excellence, and global expansion, he drives the organization’s mission to deliver impactful solutions and create long-term value for stakeholders |
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Keshav R Murugesh,Group CEO | WNS Global Services | He has expertise in delivering transformative enterprise solutions across industries, helping organizations navigate and thrive in their digital transformation journeys |
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Dr PS Kumar,Group CEO | Prithivi Grow Care | He has experience in Marketing Strategy, Change Management, Market Research, Leadership Development, Corporate Training, Management Consulting, Project Management, and more |
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Munish Kumar,Group CEO | Apollo Sindoori Hotels | He is skilled in Market Creation, Market Development, P&L Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Alliances & Partnerships, and Business Planning & Execution at Scale |
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Rajinder Kumar Malhotra ,Former Group CEO | Modi Enterprises | With over five decades of leadership across agriculture, chemicals, and other industries, he has guided the company to global growth by fostering innovation, building strategic partnerships, and more |
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Sanjay Jain,Principal Architect & Product Designer | PDS | A professional with experience in the Retail, Media & Entertainment, and Manufacturing industries, he has been instrumental in leading transformation across various sectors for nearly three decades |
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Sanjeev Deshpande,Chairman & Group CEO | N-Labs | With over 28 years of diverse experience spanning the manufacturing and IT services industries, he has held pivotal Country and Regional Head roles, driving strategy, P&L management, and more |
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Sonali Joshi, Group CEO | Shree Nidhish Group of Companies | She is known for pioneering sustainable real estate, driving innovation, and empowering communities, earning recognition as an influential business leader |
Other Issues
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