Board Stewardship Huddle Returns to Delhi NCR with Insightful Conversations on Boardroom Dynamics
Board Stewardship marked its return to the region with the latest edition of the Board Stewardship Huddle, bringing together a vibrant community of board members, governance experts, and business leaders for an evening dedicated to advancing boardroom practices. Hosted at Nagarro, Gurugram, the event reaffirmed its position as a premier platform for exchanging ideas on Corporate Governance, Board effectiveness, and the evolving responsibilities of directors in a rapidly changing business environment.
Setting the Tone for Collaboration and Shared Learning
The evening opened with a warm welcome from Vikesh Wallia, Managing Director and Editor, Board Stewardship, who highlighted the growing energy and engagement around the Huddle community. He noted it was “heartening to see greater commitment by participants and speakers alike for our Huddles and values of connecting, collaborating, and celebrating together,” adding that “collective success is more valuable than individual success in the board journey.”
After the insightful and gripping Nagarro welcome address by Manas Human, co-founder & CEO of Nagarro, Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman of the Advisory Board, Board Stewardship, in his inaugural address, he spoke about boardroom excellence and sustainable leadership. Reflecting on the event, he said, “The Delhi Huddle of Board Stewardship at the wonderful offices of Nagarro was an unforgettable event—high-quality participants, superb arrangements, and content to fill the brain with great ideas! Can’t ask for any more.”
Rajiv Gupta, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group, delivered a keynote on “The Influence and Impact of AI on the Boardroom.” He remarked, “The Huddle by Board Stewardship offered a platform to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights on board governance, and explore innovative approaches to leadership for future success in board stewardship.”
Session 1 — The Family Business Playbook: Launching a Legacy of Governance
The first session celebrated the launch of The Family Business Playbook: Lessons in Governance from Centuries-Old Family Firms by Atul Juvle, Independent Director and Author. He shared that launching his maiden book with Board Stewardship was “a truly great experience,” adding that the team’s “hand-holding and guidance made the journey seamless, culminating in an inspiring launch alongside corporate legends.”
Session 2 — Boardroom Relationship: Promoters and Independent Director Role Play
The next session featured Pankaj Raj, Co-Founder and Director, Search Value, Rajat K. Jain, Founder and Director, PadUp Ventures Pvt. Ltd. and Independent Director, Aditya Sisodia, Executive Leadership Coach and CEO, S Vision Consultants, and Raajeev Batra, Independent Director on Multiple Boards and Former Partner, KPMG.
The panel explored how Independent Directors and promoters can build trust, balance perspectives, and convert friction into forward momentum. Pankaj Raj noted that “board stewardship often lies in balancing the perspectives of Independent Directors and promoters.” Rajat K. Jain added that “balanced board relationships and transparent communication are crucial for building trust, accountability, and sustainable corporate success.” Aditya Sisodia emphasized that “dissent is not disloyalty, it is a form of stewardship,” while Raajeev Batra shared that the Huddle offered “fresh perspectives and practical insights” into governance challenges in promoter-led businesses.
Session 3 — Board Chairs of the Future – Korn Ferry Research Report
The final session, “Board Chairs of the Future,” was sharing insights from research by Korn Ferry, by Sandeep Bhalla, Senior Partner and Head of Consulting, Korn Ferry India; Konika Chadha, Senior Partner, Financial Services and Head of Professional Search, Korn Ferry India; and Himanshu Ahluwalia, Knowledge Manager, Board Services, Korn Ferry India.
Konika Chadha commended the initiative, saying, “Congratulations on a truly successful and high-impact event! It was an absolute privilege to be part of such a prestigious forum. We deeply value this collaboration and look forward to building on the momentum.” Sandeep Bhalla added, “It was a privilege to be part of the Board Stewardship Huddle, which brought together a remarkable group of board members, Independent Directors, and senior leaders for thoughtful and candid conversations on the future of governance.”
Closing Reflections and Acknowledgements
Viyom Jain, Managing Director and Global Business Head, Enterprise Products BU, Nagarro, concluded the evening, stating, “Nagarro is truly honoured to have hosted the Board Stewardship Huddle – Gurugram NCR. Conversations like these strengthen our belief in building a future where innovation and stewardship go hand in hand.”
The Delhi NCR Huddle reinforced Board Stewardship’s mission to empower Boards that lead with agility, accountability, and foresight — reaffirming its role as a trusted platform for advancing governance excellence.
