Blue Dart Express Appoints Prakash Apte as Non-Executive Chairman

The Board of Directors of Blue Dart Express Limited has approved the appointment of Prakash Apte, Independent Director, as ‘Non-Executive Chairman’ with effect from July 23, 2024. Apte has been an Independent Director of Blue Dart Express Limited since July 28, 2022, and he brings a wealth of experience, currently serving as a member of the Audit Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board.

The Board of the company noted the retirement of Sharad Upasani, Independent Director, with effect from July 22, 2024, on account of the completion of his second term in the office as an Independent Director. Consequently, he will cease to be the ‘Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director’ of the company.

Prakash Apte, 70, has attended various executive and leadership development programmes at Harvard Business School, INSEAD, and IMD. Apte’s professional career spans over 41 years, most of which have been with global multinationals such as Ciba Geigy, Novartis, and Syngenta in various positions related to specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agribusiness industries, respectively. He was the country head and MD of Syngenta India for over a decade and thereafter its Non-Executive Chairman. He served as a Non-Executive Chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank until December 31, 2023. He serves on the Boards of Fine Organic Industries Limited, GMM Pfaudler, Kotak Mahindra Investments, and Kotak Mahindra Prime. He has a B.E. (Mechanical) degree from the University of Pune and holds a Diploma in Business Management from the University of Mumbai.