C-Suite
More big four pros landing at C-suite spot as firms become leadership pipeline
The Big Four accounting firms—EY, PwC, KPMG, and Deloitte—are increasingly becoming a significant source of C-suite talent for corporations in India. Industry experts estimate that 30 to 50 leaders transition annually from these firms to corporate boardrooms.
Bajaj Finance MD Rajeev Jain best paid NBFC top exec in FY25
Rajeev Jain of Bajaj Finance led NBFC executive compensation in fiscal 2025, with earnings exceeding ₹65 crore and a total package surpassing ₹105 crore including stock options. Arvind Kapil of Poonawalla Fincorp followed with ₹45.7 crore plus valuable ESOPs.
Mukesh Ambani draws ₹0 salary again: India's richest man forgoes paycheck for 5th straight year
Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries' chairman, continues to forgo his salary for the fifth year, a decision dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Ambani's children, Isha, Akash, and Anant, earned ₹2.31 crore each as non-executive directors, other executives saw steady compensation. Despite Ambani's nil salary, the family earned ₹3,322.
CFOs are quitting Indian firms before finishing 2 years
Many Chief Financial Officers in India leave their jobs quickly. Misalignment of responsibilities is a major reason. Other factors include career opportunities and IPO delays. Sectors like consumer businesses see higher turnover. Internal hires and good onboarding improve retention. Leaving CFOs often advance to bigger roles. Autonomy and clear decision-making are crucial for keeping CFOs.
Breaking the glass ceiling: Female CEOs and managing directors in India Inc
Hindustan Unilever appointed Priya Nair as its new CEO and managing director, effective August 2025, highlighting a significant step for female leadership in India. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in top corporate roles, facing challenges in recruitment, retention, and career advancement. The article lists other prominent female CEOs and managing directors leading major Indian companies across diverse sectors.
Sabih Khan joins elite league of India-born C-suite executives at global giants
Sabih Khan, born in Moradabad, has been appointed as the chief operating officer of Apple, joining the ranks of India-born executives leading global corporations. Following in the footsteps of leaders like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, Khan's promotion highlights the increasing presence of Indian talent at the helm of multinational giants.
Boards bet big on talent beyond the CEO
Corporate boards are increasingly involved in talent management, extending their focus beyond CEO succession to encompass broader leadership development. A recent survey indicates boards dedicate significant time to talent strategies, yet many CHROs view them primarily as governance bodies. Challenges persist in preparing future-ready leaders, with concerns about internal talent readiness and securing strong leadership sponsorship, impacting overall organizational performance.
Finding top talent: Hospitality sector demand seen at 600-1,000 GMs in five years
Industry insiders said rapid expansion by hotel chains over the next five years is likely to create demand for 600-1,000 new general managers, or heads of hotels. Dilip Puri, founder and chairman of the Indian School of Hospitality, refers to it as the GM conundrum.
White-collar hiring shows strong momentum, led by consumer electronics sector
White-collar hiring in India remains strong, with steady MoM and notable YoY growth, led by sectors like consumer electronics (70% YoY) and logistics. Senior roles saw a 36% rise, with Mumbai topping city-wise growth. Diversity hiring surged 53% in two years, with women now forming 68% of such hires. Tier-2 cities are catching up, and demand stays high across experience levels.
A bite of exercise in the corner office: C-suite leaders weave in short bursts of physical activities into workday
Indian executives are increasingly prioritizing well-being by integrating physical activity into their workday. From walking meetings to exercise snacking, leaders are finding creative ways to stay fit amidst demanding schedules. Companies are embedding wellness into their culture, promoting movement breaks and prioritizing employee health, recognizing its positive impact on decision-making and overall performance.
Must Watch
HUL MD Rohit Jawa gets 3.75% pay hike to Rs 23 crore in FY25
HUL Managing Director Rohit Jawa's remuneration increased by 3.75% to Rs 23.23 crore in FY25, 146.47 times the median employee remuneration. The company's annual report highlighted an 8.46% decrease in permanent employees, with 6,604 on the rolls. HUL divested its water business, Pureit, and decided to demerge its ice cream business amidst a challenging operating environment and evolving consumer landscape.
Why every business leader now needs to speak the language of AI
What will distinguish leaders of tomorrow is not their awareness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) but a foundational knowledge to ask questions of AI systems, deploy them strategically, and weigh in on the ethical ramifications. An online Leadership with AI programme, which integrates GenAI and Agentic AI, could be a step forward in the AI-led leadership race.
Strategic marketing for leaders: Equipping professionals to lead in the AI age.
For professionals aiming to advance into leadership roles, a strategic marketing programme is more than just upskilling—it is about staying relevant in a market where digital and data-driven approaches are reshaping traditional marketing boundaries. Here’s how IIM-C’s Strategic Marketing for Leaders: Leveraging AI for Growth goes beyond conventional marketing education, offering an integrated approach that enables professionals to lead in an AI-first business landscape.
CXOs spending more time weighing risks and responsibilities of new roles, companies deal with uneasy wait
Senior leaders are now spending more time weighing risks and responsibilities of new roles amid a volatile business environment. Resilient demand for seasoned C-suite professionals is also working in their favour despite an overall soft job market. “For a CEO or CXO in their mid-40s, the next ten years are critical—reset years,” said D Shivakumar, former CEO at PepsiCo, and currently operating partner at Advent India.
The next leadership leap: Navigating strategy and disruption in the AI age with IIM Kozhikode
For professionals ready to recalibrate their leadership trajectory, the IIMK Senior Management Programme (SMP) arrives at an opportune time. It’s an opportunity to level up in both relevance and resilience, blending digital fluency, especially AI literacy, with strategic decision-making skills to align leadership ambitions with the future of business. Here’s why it matters.
Blue-collar wages grow 5-6% annually as industries focus on skilled talent: Report
Blue-collar wages in India are growing at an annual rate of 5–6%, supported by strong demand and performance-based incentives, according to Deloitte's ‘Blue-Collar Workforce Trends 2025’ report released on Thursday. Hiring intent for such roles increased by 10% in 2025, driven by sectors like manufacturing, automotive, e-commerce, and logistics.
