Successful Women in Business : India

Finding success in your career can be tough. Essentially, you’ve got to have the drive to improve things, to create better solutions, to want to make not just any difference—but a bigger difference—in the world. It’s not for the faint of heart. And it’s remarkable, every time, when you see women who go out there, give it their all, and succeed in turning companies around. 

Here are some of the most successful women in business who did just that:

Kavery Kalanithi. Sun TV Network Managing Director

Wife of the media mogul Kalanithi Maran, Kavery Kalanithi sits at the top of the list. In 2014 alone, her remuneration package was about 598,900,000. Among the positions she held include being chairman at SpiceJet Limited from November 2010 onwards. She was also executive director of the company from November of 2010 to January 30 of the following year. 

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Biocon Ltd. CMD

The company is one of the largest in the country when it comes to publicly traded biopharma organizations. She was also awarded the Othmer Gold Medal for her standout efforts to drive progress in the fields of science and chemistry. She was named, at one time, the wealthiest ‘self-made’ woman in India.

Urvi A Piramal, Ashok Piramal Group Chairperson 

In 2005, Piramal inherited a textile mill along with two engineering companies. Both were losing money. She managed to turn these companies around in the span of seven years. Over the last few years, her companies have been able to diversify into different sectors. When 2012-2013 rolled in, her annual salary is a cool Rs.7.3 crocre. 

Chandra Kochlar, ICICI Bank MD and CEO 

If you think her name sounds familiar, thinking you’ve seen her somewhere, then you’re probably right! Kochlar has been a staple since 2005, as one of the most powerful women in business to go on Forbes’ list. 

Shobhana Bhartia, HT India Chairperson

Bhartia is the Chairperson as well as Editorial Director of the Hindustan Times Group. She inherited the business from her father. The paper was never meant to be a moneymaking venture. In 2014, Shobhana had a net profit of Rs.155 crore just the year before that.

Preetha Reddy, Apollo Hospital Managing Director

Apollo Hospital is one of the biggest healthcare companies in India and a huge reason for that is Preetha Reddy who is widely regarded as a pioneer in the healthcare sector. In 2014, her total compensated packages reached Rs.51,110,000. With her at the helm, Apollo—in a joint project with the government—launched the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare providers or NABH. 

Vinita Singhania, JK Lakshmi Cement

Vinita held the distinction of being the first woman president of Cement Manufacturers Association for the years 2009 – 2012. Her husband’s death in 1998 was the reason Vinita went into the business. In 2012-2013, the company showed a 62 percent rise under her management and leadership. In the course of five years she’d been able to raise turnover at the company, from Rs.100 crore to 450 crore. =

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