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A Report on Business Leaders Forum and Members' Meet in Bengaluru, 2026
The Institute of Directors (IOD), Bengaluru Region, convened the Business Leaders Forum and Members' Meet 2026 on March 06, 2026 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. The gathering brought together an accomplished cross section of board leaders, governance experts, and industry professionals for an evening of substantive dialogue and institutional engagement.
The forum served as a platform for members to reconnect, exchange perspectives, and reflect on emerging trends shaping corporate governance. It also provided an occasion to acknowledge the enduring contribution of Life Members, whose long association continues to strengthen the Institute's mission and community.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, symbolising knowledge, wisdom, and a shared commitment to enlightened leadership, following which the inaugural proceedings were formally initiated.
INAUGURAL SESSION
The 'Welcome Address' was delivered by:
Mr. Chakravarthi Mohan, IAS (Retd.)
Honorary Chairman
Institute of Director (IOD), Bengaluru Region
Mr. Mohan welcomed the distinguished gathering and underscored the Institute of Directors (IOD)’ sustained commitment to strengthening leadership and governance capabilities. He noted that the Institute continues to play a pivotal role in preparing professionals for boardroom responsibilities through its knowledge platforms, leadership development initiatives, and global engagements. He further observed that the Business Leaders Forum and Members' Meet provides an important platform for members to reconnect, exchange perspectives, and reinforce professional networks. The felicitation of Life Members, he remarked, serves as a meaningful recognition of their enduring association and valuable contribution to the Institute.
The 'Special Address' was delivered by:
Ms. Lalitha M. Shetty
Vice President – HR Omega Healthcare Management Service Pvt. Ltd.
Ms. Shetty in her special address, emphasised the growing significance of diversity in the boardroom as a critical driver of effective governance and informed decision making. She observed that diversity today extends well beyond representation and plays a defining role in shaping the depth and quality of boardroom deliberations. She noted that boards comprising individuals with varied professional backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are better equipped to arrive at balanced and well considered decisions. Referring to recent progress, she highlighted that a significant proportion of companies now have at least one woman director on their boards, reflecting a positive shift towards inclusivity. However, she underscored that meaningful diversity must encompass cognitive diversity, functional expertise, and cross industry exposure. Such breadth, she observed, fosters constructive dialogue, challenges conventional thinking, and ultimately strengthens governance practices in an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment.
This was followed by another 'Special Address' delivered by:
Mr. R. G. Rajan
Honorary Zonal Director, Institute of Directors (IOD)
former Chairman & Managing Director, RCF/NFL/PDIL
former Chairman, FAI/SCOPE, Author & Columnist
Mr. Rajan underscored its significance in enhancing governance, organisational performance, and long-term sustainability. He observed that diverse boards bring a wider range of perspectives, enabling organisations to navigate complexity with greater effectiveness and balance. He drew attention to the cultural and structural barriers that continue to constrain diversity in boardrooms and emphasised the need for deliberate and structured interventions. These include inclusive recruitment practices, mentorship and leadership development initiatives, and the adoption of measurable diversity objectives. He further noted that evolving global trends, including enhanced disclosure norms, rising investor expectations, and ongoing corporate governance reforms, are increasingly compelling organisations to build more inclusive, transparent, and accountable boards.
The 'Guest of Honour' address was delivered by:
Ms. Geetha Shankar
National President Public Relations Council of India (PRCI)
Founder Director of Centre for Communication
Excellence, Author
TEDX Speaker & Communication Catalyst
Ms. Shankar offered valuable perspectives on strategic decision making and the evolving role of governance in the boardroom. She emphasised that effective governance requires boards to address systemic gaps while upholding strong ethical standards and accountability. Referring to regulatory frameworks such as the Companies Act, 2013, she noted the significant progress in governance standards in India, while underscoring the need for continuous adaptation in response to changing stakeholder expectations and business realities. She also highlighted the contribution of women leaders in boardrooms, observing that qualities such as empathy, resilience, collaboration, and inclusiveness contribute to more balanced and considered decision making.
LIFE MEMBERS FELICITATION
A special highlight of the evening was the felicitation of IOD Life Members, recognizing their long-standing association and contribution to the Institute. The ceremony celebrated their continued engagement in strengthening the governance ecosystem and supporting the Institute's mission of developing responsible and effective board leaders.
This was followed by a 'Closing Address' delivered by:
Ms. Alokha Mendes
Regional Manager
Institute of Directors (IOD), Bengaluru Region
Ms. Mendens expressed her appreciation to the distinguished speakers, Life Members, partners, and members for their active participation, which contributed to a thoughtful and engaging evening. She acknowledged the depth of insights shared during the forum and recognised the continued support of the Institute's Life Members. She also conveyed her gratitude to the partners and the Institute of Directors team for their efforts in organising the event, while encouraging members to further strengthen dialogue, collaboration, and the shared pursuit of governance excellence.
The programme concluded with networking interactions among members, speakers, and industry leaders, followed by dinner, reinforcing the Institute's commitment to fostering a dynamic community of directors dedicated to responsible and forward-looking leadership.
The Institute of Directors (IOD) – Bengaluru Region expresses its sincere gratitude to its valued partners:
Our Silver Partner: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
Our Supporting Partner: Romell Group
This report is compiled by:
Institute of Directors (IOD)
Bengaluru Region
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Institute of Directors (IOD) is an apex national association of Corporate Directors under the India's 'Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860'. Currently it is associated with over 31,000 senior executives from Govt, PSU and Private organizations of India and abroad.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the articles/ stories are the personal opinions of the author. IOD/ Editor is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in those articles. The information, facts or opinions expressed in the articles/ speeches do not reflect the views of IOD/ Editor and IOD/ Editor does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
