Board Stewardship Successfully Concludes Bumper Huddle Series in Bengaluru
Board Stewardship’s Bumper Huddle series concluded in Bengaluru on October 9, 2026, bringing business leaders and Board Directors together to discuss purpose-driven business, responsible governance and the future of leadership. Held at JW Marriott Hotel under the theme ‘Stewardship in Boardrooms’, the Bengaluru Huddle marked the conclusion of the three-city series across Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
The event was organised with Steward Leadership Institute (SLI), Singapore, as Principal Partner, BoardPAC as Knowledge Partner, and Search Value and Crossmentors as Gold Partners. The discussions focused on aligning business performance with purpose and strengthening leadership through cross-mentoring.
Aligning Purpose with Profitability
The programme opened with a welcome address by Vikesh Wallia, Managing Director and Editor, Board Stewardship, followed by the inaugural address by Emmanuel David, Former Director, Tata Training Centre, Pune, and Advisory Board Member, Board Stewardship.
A key highlight was the release of Maximum Purpose, Maximum Profit by Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO, Steward Leadership Institute, Singapore, followed by a reading and spotlight session. The discussions explored how businesses can make purpose an integral part of strategy and decision-making while maintaining a clear focus on profitability.
The panel discussion featured Peshawaria, Sunil Puri, Senior Vice President, Research & Engagement, Steward Leadership Institute, Singapore; Suresh Narayanan, Former Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India Ltd.; and Saraswathi Ramachandran, MD and Country Head, Lightcast.
Reflecting on the discussions, Ramachandran said, “At a time when speed and greed often dominate business decisions, it was refreshing to engage with leaders like Vikesh Wallia and Rajeev Peshawaria, who remind us why purposeful thinking must shape the future of business and governance.”
Cross-Mentoring and the Future of Leadership
The next session, ‘Cross Mentoring – Leadership Imperative for the Future’, focused on the role of cross-mentoring in leadership development and organisational growth.
The panel included Krish Shankar, Independent Director, Indira IVF Hospital Ltd. and Former CHRO, Infosys; Divya Kumar, Board Director and Author of CFO AI Compass; JV Raman, Operating Advisor, Multiples Alternate Asset Management and Non-Executive Director, Kwality Wall’s (India) Ltd.; R Rajnarayan, Co-Founder and Lead Mentor, Crossmentors, Former CHRO, The Titan Company, and Independent Director, Team Lease Ltd.; and PR Somasundaram, Former CEO, Lakshmi Vilas Bank and Former CEO, World Gold Council, Independent Director and Advisor. Mr Suresh Narayanan former Chairman and MD of Nestle India also joined briefly int eh panel discussion.
The discussion examined how leaders can learn from one another across functions and generations, gain different perspectives and prepare for changing business requirements.
Sharing her views, Divya Kumar said, “Enjoyed the strong debates and intellectual discussions at the Bangalore huddle. The future of leadership is evolving, and such a forum is much needed to spark ideas.”
Sarasawathi Ramachandran also highlighted Emmanuel David’s views on harmony and their relevance to boardrooms, where differing opinions and constructive disagreements need to be balanced with collective decision-making. She described the Crossmentors session as equally engaging and welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with peers committed to responsible leadership.
Continuing the Conversation on Stewardship
The programme concluded with the felicitation of Board Stewardship members, by Ajay Nanavati, Emmanuel David and Vikesh Wallia followed by cocktails and dinner, giving participants an opportunity to continue their discussions and exchange views.
The Bengaluru Huddle brought the Bumper Huddle series across Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru to a close. Through discussions on purpose and profitability, responsible governance and cross-mentoring, the series provided a platform for boardroom leaders to share experiences and consider how businesses can build long-term value while preparing leaders for the challenges ahead.
