Board Stewardship Hosts Power-Packed India Board Conclave 2025 At NSE Mumbai
The India Board Conclave 2025, hosted by Board Stewardship at the iconic National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai, concluded on a high note, bringing together some of the sharpest minds in corporate governance, AI innovation, sustainability, and board leadership. With the central theme of “Enabling Future Boards”, this day-long gathering was a forward-looking dialogue on how Boards must evolve from conventional oversight bodies into dynamic, data-driven, agentic ecosystems.
The event commenced with high tea and networking, followed by the traditional lamp lighting ceremony and an impactful Welcome Address by Vikesh Wallia, MD & Editor of Board Stewardship, who set the tone for the afternoon with a compelling call to embrace stewardship as a boardroom value.
Wallia stated, “It marks the launch of our first Boards Stewardship India Boards Conclave—now an annual event—and coincides with second anniversary of our monthly magazine and newsletter. Our journey began with a simple question—how do board directors start their day? While others have dedicated news sources, board members lacked a tailored platform. With guidance from Mr. Shailesh Haribhakti. Today’s conclave, themed ‘Enabling Future Boards,’ brings together brilliant minds for impactful discussions, and we look forward to an engaging and memorable evening together.”
Delivering the Keynote Address, Shailesh Haribhakti, Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director on multiple boards, “Boards of the future will not be confined to compliance—they will be living organisms, pulsing with intelligence, imagination, and impact. They must be built on four walls: insight sharing from diverse, lived experience; risk management rooted in scenario consciousness; AI-driven internal narratives that reveal performance gaps and productivity frontiers; and, most critically, a culture of innovation and intimacy. The future boardroom is a space of ethical proximity—where trust becomes currency and empathy becomes strategy. Governance must evolve before strategy can succeed, and boards must transform before companies can transcend.”
The Keynote Address by Imtaiyazur Rahman, MD & CEO of UTI AMC, “We must embrace a Governance 360° mindset—grounded in integrity, agility, and real independence. Boards today are not just custodians of compliance; they are architects of long-term value. They must reflect diversity in expertise—technology, ESG, HR, cybersecurity—not just in demographics. The future board must prioritize continuous education, executive-ready agenda papers, and stakeholder accountability—not just in theory but in daily practice. Because ethics at the top define ethics across the organisation.”
Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE, “India’s corporate boards are not merely governance bodies—they are the custodians of trust in a nation where millions invest their hard-earned money into businesses they may never see or know personally. This is not just economics; it is a profound leap of faith. Our boards, regulators, and exchanges collectively manufacture trust, an invisible yet invaluable asset that powers the engine of our economy. Despite having a lower per capita income than many developed nations, more Indian households invest in capital markets than those in France or Germany. That’s a testament to the credibility our boards have built over time. In a world shifting from unipolarity to geopolitical uncertainty, Indian boards must not only navigate turbulent waters but also rise as beacons of resilience and leadership. Stewardship is no longer about survival—it’s about ensuring companies thrive for the nation, for the people, and for the future.”
The following were honoured with the prestigious Shield of Steward of Corporate Governance and inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognising their exemplary contributions to corporate governance and ethical leadership: Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director & CEO of NSE; the National Stock Exchange (NSE); Ashwini Prakash, Managing Partner and Board Director, Singapore and India, Stanton Chase; Dr. Ish Anand, Founder & CEO Relia Smart Global Advisory (FZE), UAE; Huzeifa Unwala, Founder & Senior Partner JHS Associates LLP; Surendra Sharma MD & CEO, DivaCygnet; and Prabodha Acharya, Chief Sustainability Officer, JSW Group. This recognition celebrates their unwavering commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and excellence in boardroom practices.
Recognising Excellence in Corporate Governance
The Corporate Felicitation Ceremony was a heartening interlude, applauding organisations that have demonstrated excellence in governance, ESG, board effectiveness, and innovation across sectors.
Deep-Dive Sessions that Reshaped Thinking
Session 1: Fireside Chat – Business Value Drivers for Agentic AI
Led by Shailesh Haribhakti and Devendra Dhawale, Executive Partner at Gartner, this discussion explored how AI is no longer an enabler but a co-pilot in decision-making. They delved into how agentic AI can help boards pre-empt risks, shape strategies, and ensure regulatory resilience.
Session 2: Sustainability – From Pledges to Precision Action
With powerful perspectives from Gauri Jauhar (S&P Global), Swaroop Banerjee (JSW Group), Prabodha Acharya (JSW Group), and Roshni Wadhwa (L’Oréal SAPMENA), this session moved beyond ESG pledges and dissected how precision data, real-time metrics, and AI-driven audits can accelerate sustainability goals on the ground.
Session 3: Transforming the Board from Governance to Growth
Surendra Sharma, MD & CEO of DivaCygnet, delivered a compelling talk on the modern board’s role in balancing fiduciary duties with bold, innovation-led growth.
Session 4: Board Effectiveness Assessment
With insights from Prof. Samir Barua, former Director, IIM-A; Ankit Sharma, Chief Regulatory Officer, NSE; Prof. Ashok Korwar, Independent Director; and Devdutt Modak, CMD, Axar Digital Services, this session discussed how Boards must assess their effectiveness using structured metrics, AI tools, and regular self-audits to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting world.
Session 5: AI Quantum – The Agentic Boardroom Awakens
This visionary session led by Dr. Ish Anand, Founder & CEO of Relia Smart Global Advisory, UAE, explored how self-orchestrating governance systems—powered by quantum AI—will transform decision-making, compliance, and accountability in the boardroom.
Several distinguished Elite Members, Fellow Members, and Knowledge Partners were also present and were felicitated by Shailesh Haribhakti and Vikesh Wallia during the event.
Closing Ceremony and Felicitations
Krishna Tewari, Executive Director, Board Stewardship, offered the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the speakers, participants, and partners for shaping a truly transformative edition of the India Board Conclave.
A Future-Ready Forum for Forward-Thinking Boards
The India Board Conclave 2025 was not just an event—it was a clarion call for Board members to embrace AI-led governance, sustainability precision, and autonomous compliance. Over 200 leaders from across India’s corporate ecosystem participated, gaining fresh perspectives on the urgent need to evolve governance frameworks and lead with agility, integrity, and stewardship.
As the corporate world enters an era of disruptive change, Board Stewardship remains committed to building an ecosystem of future-ready, value-driven leadership.
