Meet the powerhouses behind India’s most iconic family-operated empires—Roshni Nadar Malhotra (HCL Technologies), Nisaba Godrej (Godrej Industries), and Manju D Gupta (Lupin). These trailblazers headline the Barclays Hurun 2025 ranking, demonstrating that theirs is a legacy of leadership, and a testament to the power of vision, stewardship, and enduring values.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra: Leading HCL Technologies into the Future
Chairperson of HCL Technologies and India’s third-richest individual, Roshni Nadar Malhotra’s ascent was marked by her father Shiv Nadar’s transfer of a 47% stake in 2025, making her the majority shareholder. Daughter of visionary entrepreneur Shiv Nadar and philanthropist Kiran Nadar, Roshni’s journey took her through Northwestern University and an MBA at Kellogg, grounding her in both communication and business acumen.
Under her stewardship, HCLTech expanded to 60 countries, generating ₹1.11 lakh crore in revenues. Her priorities include fostering women leaders in technology and nurturing rural changemakers through the VidyaGyan Leadership Academy. Roshni’s passion for ecological preservation materialized in The Habitats Trust, advocating for sustainable ecosystems across India. Honoured by Forbes and France’s highest civilian award, she stands as a beacon for responsible leadership—where profit meets purpose.
Nisaba Godrej: Modernizing the House of Godrej
Chairperson and Managing Director at Godrej Consumer Products Limited, Nisaba Godrej’s leadership fuses tradition with modernity. Armed with a Wharton BSc and Harvard MBA, she transformed the Godrej Group’s portfolio, pushing sustainability efforts and steering expansion in consumer goods, agriculture, and real estate.
Nisaba is known as the architect behind “Teach for India”; she sits on boards shaping industries from telecom to agriculture. Her pragmatic, people-focused approach has been key in making Godrej a trusted name domestically—and a growing force internationally. Equally passionate about education, the human mind, and social responsibility, Nisaba’s guidance ensures that the Godrej promise of quality and care remains unbroken for coming generations.
Manju D Gupta: Building Lupin into a Global Pharma Leader
Over four decades, Manju D Gupta transformed Lupin from humble beginnings into one of the world’s largest generics manufacturers. Becoming Chairperson after her husband Desh Bandhu Gupta’s passing, Manju’s tenure is marked by expansion into new therapies, a relentless focus on quality, and global ambitions. She was the company’s first investor and has seen Lupin scale from a loan-funded startup to a ₹88,500 crore pharmaceutical powerhouse.
Manju’s quiet wisdom, detailed knowledge, and focus on sustainability have helped steer Lupin’s CSR and sustainability agendas while preserving the founder’s legacy of affordable healthcare.
Redefining Leadership and Legacy
The Barclays Hurun 2025 ranking is as much a compendium of the who’s who as it is a milestone. These leaders prove that gender is no barrier at the highest levels of Indian industry. Their impact is felt across boardrooms, communities, and global markets. As India’s corporate dynasties evolve, the new paradigm blends stewardship, innovation, and inclusivity, forging legacies not just of wealth, but of lasting social change.
Article link – Leadership-lessons-when-institutions-face-public-scrutiny
