A Report on National Conference on Business Excellence and Leadership

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On 14th May 2026, the Institute of Directors (IOD), India hosted its National Conference on Business Excellence and Leadership, held at Hotel The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The conference was on the theme: 'Board Leadership for Competitive Advantage', and carried a dual message marking the launch of a unique national platform for advancing organisational Excellence and Leadership effectiveness, as also celebrating the enduring legacy of the Golden Peacock Awards (GPA), one of India's well-patronised benchmarks in corporate achievement. Profiles of the award-winning organisations are featured in this issue from Pg. 35 to Pg. 46. The Awards were presented across five categories: AI Excellence, Innovative Product/Service, Quality, Business Excellence, and Training, recognising organisations that have distinguished themselves not by aspiration alone, but by measurable performance. The Conference brought together around 400 board members, senior executives, policymakers, and corporate leaders from over a hundred organisations under one roof, demonstrating that good governance is not just limited to boardroom discussions, but is actively practised across India's leading organisations.

What emerged turning the course of the day was a compelling, collective assertion: that Business Excellence and Responsible Governance are not competing priorities, but they are the very same pursuit seen from different angles.

PLENARY SESSION – I
OPENING SESSION

The 'Welcome Address' was presented by:

Mr. Ashok Kapur, IAS (Retd.)
Director General
Institute of Directors (IOD)

Mr. Kapur underscored the significance of the conference theme against a backdrop of rapid technological transformation, evolving stakeholder expectations, sustainability imperatives, and global economic uncertainty. He emphasised that sustainable competitive advantage in today's environment is driven not only by capital and innovation, but equally by trust, ethical leadership, and institutional resilience. Mr. Kapur further reflected upon the enduring management philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and late J.R.D. Tata on responsible institution-building. The evolving role of corporate boards as custodians of governance, culture, strategic foresight, and long-term value creation was highlighted as central to India's continuing growth journey. Mr. Kapur's address concluded with congratulations to the Golden Peacock Award (GPA) recipients and a reaffirmation of IOD's commitment to promoting Excellence, Responsible Leadership, and Good Governance.

The 'President's Address' was delivered by:

Lt. Gen. Surinder Nath, PVSM, AVSM (Retd.)
President
Institute of Directors (IOD)

Lt. Gen. Nath highlighted the unprecedented transformation reshaping the global business landscape, driven by geopolitical realignments, technological disruption, economic uncertainty, evolving consumer expectations, and increasing sustainability imperatives. He placed particular emphasis on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence, while underscoring the importance of ethical governance, responsible deployment, workforce reskilling, and balanced investment approaches. His address further observed that future ready organisations would be those capable of integrating technology with trust, innovation with governance, and growth with responsibility. Recognising India's expanding role in the global economy, Lt. Gen. Nath noted the country's growing potential to emerge as a leader in responsible and innovation driven growth. He concluded by congratulating the recipients of the GP Awards for their exemplary contributions towards good governance, institutional excellence, and sustainable business leadership.

The 'Special Address' was delivered by:

Mr. Nehal Vora
Managing Director & CEO
Central Depository Services Ltd., India

Mr. Vora delivered an insightful presentation on the evolving role of corporate boards in navigating the complexities of today's VUCA environment. He observed that rapid technological disruption and shifting global paradigms have made business leadership increasingly complex, while emphasising that India's enduring spiritual, cultural, and philosophical foundations continue to provide valuable guidance for resilient and 'value driven' leadership. Highlighting the growing influence of technology, he noted that organisations must prioritise continual upskilling as human capabilities increasingly evolve alongside technology driven systems. Referring to the emerging concept of "reverse mentoring", Mr. Vora shared how younger employees are sometimes mentoring senior leadership teams to help organisations better understand emerging cultural and generational perspectives within a young and rapidly evolving India. He further outlined his "10 Commandments for effective corporate boards", emphasising structured induction processes, long term strategic alignment, stakeholder empowerment, diversity, ethical governance, continuous learning, transparency, technology adoption, succession planning, and stronger engagement with policymakers; and particularly commended the path-breaking book in this connection- “Boards that Lead”

The 'Guest of Honour Address' was delivered by:

Dr. Arunish Chawla, IAS
Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM)
Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India

Dr. Chawla highlighted that India stands at a defining juncture in its economic journey, continuing to emerge as one of the world's fastest growing economies despite prevailing global uncertainties. He observed that this progress is being propelled by strong economic fundamentals, infrastructure led development, digital transformation, governance reforms, and inclusive growth initiatives. Emphasising that competitive advantage today extends beyond just capital and scale, Dr. Chawla underscored the increasing importance of leadership quality, governance standards, innovation, institutional credibility, and long-term strategic vision. He further highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies in shaping India's next phase of growth, while stressing the need for ethical leadership, responsible innovation, and resilient institutions capable of carrying on long-term national and economic progress.

PLENARY SESSION – II
INAUGURAL SESSION

The 'Introductory Remarks' were presented by:

Mr. Manoj K. Raut
Secretary General & CEO
Institute of Directors (IOD)

Mr. Raut underscored that the Golden Peacock Awards 2026 is far more than just a ceremony of recognition, calling it a celebration of vision, courage, and leadership that strives for excellence. He observed that in a world shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological change, climate challenges, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, the organisations that will define the future are those willing to lead with conviction today. Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the GPA, he noted that they have long stood as a symbol of trust, excellence, and global competitiveness. Mr. Raut also highlighted the introduction of the first Golden Peacock Award for AI Excellence, recognising organisations at the forefront of responsible and impactful AI adoption. Of the many nominations only three organisations earned this distinction. Concluding his remarks, he emphasised that a Golden Peacock Award is more than a trophy; it is a testament to an organisation’s commitment to world-class governance, strategic foresight, innovation, and sustainability-driven leadership.

The 'Welcome Address' was delivered by:

Lt. Gen. Surinder Nath, PVSM, AVSM (Retd.)
President
Institute of Directors (IOD)

Lt. Gen. Nath underscored that the gathering was privileged by the gracious presence of Hon'ble Union Minister of State Mr. S. P. Singh Baghel, whose distinguished career in the public service reflects a deep commitment to good governance, social development, and nation-building. Recognised for his administrative experience, academic accomplishments, and strong connect with the people, his contributions were acknowledged as significant to India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Lt. Gen. Nath further highlighted the role of the GP Awards in encouraging organisations to benchmark themselves against global standards and pursue continuous improvement. He noted that the rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent Jury and qualified domain experts further reinforces the credibility and prestige of the Awards.

Commending the award recipients, he observed that their achievements reflect vision, innovation, disciplined execution, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, serving as an example for all industry and continued national progress alike.

The gathering was formally introduced to the 'Chief Guest' by:

Mr. Desh Deepak Verma, IAS (Retd.)
Principal Adviser, Institute of Directors (IOD)
former Secretary General, Rajya Sabha

Mr. Verma commenced with the reading of a 'Special Message' from Hon'ble Union Cabinet Minister Mr. Nitin Gadkari, who conveyed to the large audience his inability to attend the event personally owing to sudden and unavoidable official commitment. He extended his best wishes for the success of the Conference and the Golden Peacock Awards Ceremony. The speaker then recited a thoughtful couplet by noted poet Wasim Barelvi — “Jahan rahega wahi roshni lutayega, kisi chirag ka apna makaan nahi hota” - drawing a parallel to the distinguished public life and wide-ranging contributions of Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel. Introducing the Hon'ble Minister, Mr. Verma highlighted his extensive parliamentary and legislative experience, including three terms as a Member of Parliament, a full tenure in the Rajya Sabha, and service as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kurla, Madhya Pradesh. He concluded by expressing his privilege and honour in having the Hon'ble Minister amongst us and welcomed him to present the Awards during the ceremony.

This was followed by the Felicitation of 2026 IDEAL (IODGlobal Driving Excellence Award for Leadership), which was awarded to:

Mr. Prasanna Mohile
National Head & Executive Board Member
Pernod Ricard India

Mr. Mohile expressed his gratitude to the IOD on receiving the IDEAL 2026 and thanked the organisers for conferring on him a prestigious recognition. Reflecting on his professional journey, he remarked that the Award symbolises the values of hard work, integrity, and ethical practices that he had consistently upheld throughout his career. He further observed that resilience, perseverance, and clarity of purpose remain the defining qualities behind sustained success and effective leadership. Emphasising the importance of remaining committed to one's principles even amidst challenges, Mr. Mohile noted that these values had guided him across every stage of his journey and continued to shape his professional outlook and recognition.

This was followed by the presentation of Golden Peacock Awards (GPA) for Institutions in the category of 'AI Excellence', 'Innovative Product/Service', 'Quality', 'Business Excellence' & 'Training' for the year 2026 by Hon'ble Union Minister Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Hon'ble Justice Sudhir Saxena (Retd.).

This was followed by the 'Chief Guest Address', delivered by:

Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel
Hon'ble Union Minister of State
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India

Prof. Baghel reflected upon his long, uninterrupted journey in public life, recalling with humility and warmth the early years of his political career and the individuals who significantly influenced his path. He fondly referred to his association with senior Administrators and colleagues during the 1990s, observing that his engagement with grassroots governance, assisting citizens with deserving pensions, income certifications, caste revisions, and land related matters, had provided him with invaluable insight into the everyday realities faced by ordinary people. Emphasising the importance of perseverance, accountability, and humility, he remarked that public life inevitably brings up both appreciation and criticism, and that one must learn to accept both with grace. Reflecting on his 32-year journey in public service, he described it as transparent, purposeful, and guided by collective goodwill and support. Quoting a celebrated couplet about beginning one's journey alone and gradually being joined by others, he acknowledged the importance of companionship, trust, and shared vision in leadership. His address particularly focused on pressing socio-economic concerns, and highlighted the continued dependence of millions of citizens on subsidised food and affordable housing schemes, stressing that true development must ultimately be measured by dignity, inclusion, and access to basic necessities of life. He urged policymakers, industry leaders, and public representatives to face these challenges with seriousness, empathy, and a sustained commitment.

In a reflective conclusion, the Hon'ble Minister recounted a cherished memory from his early life, when he had once received a bar of soap as a prize. Although the soap itself had long since disappeared, he remarked that the fragrance of that moment, and the sense of encouragement associated with it, has remained with him throughout his life.

The 'Vote of Thanks' was proposed by:

Dr. Vivek Agnihotri, IAS (Retd.)
Director General, Golden Peacock Awards Secretariat; and former Secretary General, Rajya Sabha

Dr. Agnihotri expressed his sincere gratitude towards Hon'ble Minister, Prof. Baghel for gracing the occasion and encouraging the audience through his esteemed presence. He also extended appreciation to the Award recipients, whose achievements exemplified excellence, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement within India's corporate ecosystem. He conveyed his special thanks to Lt. Gen. Surinder Nath, PVSM, AVSM (Retd.), Mr. Manoj K. Raut, Mr. Desh Deepak Verma, IAS (Retd.); and Mr. Ashok Kapur, IAS (Retd.), for their valuable contributions to the successful conduct of the Conference. His address concluded with gratitude to all delegates and participants for their presence and engagement.

PLENARY SESSION – III
LEADERSHIP, STRATEGY & COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN AN ERA OF GOLDEN DISRUPTION

The Session was 'Moderated' by:

Mr. Abhishek Lahiri
Vice President & Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, South Asia

Mr. Lahiri reflected on the ongoing global transition from a VUCA environment to an increasingly AI driven world. He observed that economies and businesses alike are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape marked by disruption and continuing crises. Emphasising that every sector must adapt to these realities, he noted that digitalisation has evolved from a sector specific phenomenon into a foundational infrastructure across both advanced and emerging economies. Highlighting India's progress, Mr. Lahiri pointed to the country's expanding mobile penetration, strengthening digital infrastructure, and growing leadership in scale and capacity development. He described Artificial Intelligence as the next transformative phase of this journey and stressed the importance of understanding how organisations can responsibly adapt to this shift. Speaking on business excellence, he remarked that true excellence lies not only in innovation and adaptability, but also in ethical conduct, humility, rationality, and a continued commitment towards all employees and values espoused by the organisation.

The session had the following distinguished speakers:

1. Mr. Sharad Agarwal
Chief Executive Officer
AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL)

2. Mr. Suranjit Mishra
Chief Financial Officer & Chief - Corporate Governance
TATA Power-DDL

Mr. Agarwal reflected on the evolving nature of leadership in an era increasingly defined by uncertainty, technological disruption, and rapid transformation. Drawing a parallel with the Aviation and MRO industries, he observed that recent global crises, including the pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions, underscored the importance of resilience and adaptability within organisations. He noted that while the aviation sector had come to a temporary standstill during COVID- 19, resilient airlines and MRO organisations utilised the period to strengthen operations and be prepared for recovery. In contrast, the closure of several small business and suppliers in the chain during the crisis has continued to impact global supply chains today. Speaking on digital transformation, Mr. Agarwal emphasised that Artificial Intelligence should be viewed as an enabling tool rather than a replacement for human judgement. He highlighted the need for ethical leadership, faster decision-making, sustainability, and a responsible adoption of technology. Concluding his remarks, he stressed that efficiency, resilience, governance, and trust will remain central to organisational success in the future.

Mr. Mishra reflected on the evolution of India's power sector since economic liberalisation and the significant regulatory and structural transitions witnessed over the past few decades. Referring to reforms such as the Electricity Act of 2003, he stated how the sector had navigated challenges ranging from stranded assets and bankruptcies to the transition from thermal to renewable energy generation, alongside the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking from a financial perspective, Mr. Mishra emphasised on the importance of Strategic Capital Allocation in a sector requiring long-term investments and planning. He highlighted that Tata Power's large-scale infrastructure commitments demand careful forecasting to ensure sustainable growth and shareholder value over the next several decades. He further observed that digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence are expected to play a transformative role in ensuring timely and cost-efficient project implementation. Concluding his remarks, he stressed that technology should be leveraged to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen long term organisational resilience.

This was followed by an interactive Q&A session.

PLENARY SESSION – IV
DRIVING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE IN A RAPIDLY EVOLVING BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

The session was 'Moderated' by:

Mr. Stanley Mathew
Sales Head - India, Middle East & CIS
AAF International

Mr. Mathew emphasised the urgent need for organisations to expand boardroom discussions towards creating healthier “Breathing rooms” through a stronger focus on air quality and climate responsibility. Highlighting the rising advere impact of climate change, he referred to increasing global temperatures, rising sea levels, and escalating carbon dioxide emissions as critical concerns affecting both environmental sustainability and human health. Mr. Mathew further underscored that indoor air quality has emerged as a significant governance issue, especially as individuals now have to spend the majority of their time indoors. He also observed that poor indoor air quality contributes to health risks, reduced productivity, frequent absenteeism, and operational inefficiencies. Speaking on sustainable innovation, he noted that organisations must adopt responsible manufacturing practices, energy efficient filtration systems, and circular economy approaches to balance environmental responsibility with operational performance. Concluding his address, he urged boards and leadership teams to treat clean air as both a climate imperative and as a strategic priority for employee wellbeing and long-term business excellence.

The session had the following distinguished speakers:

1. Mr. Sanjay Gupta
Head - Marketing
AI Engineering Service Limited (AIESL)

2. Ms. Priyanka Daing
Senior Manager - Corporate Affairs
Carlsberg India

3. Mr. Amit Gupta
Sr. General Manager
WAPCOS, Government of India CPSE

Mr. Sanjay Gupta reflected on the rapidly evolving Aviation landscape and the growing importance of business excellence, resilience, and technological transformation in the sector. Highlighting the role of the organisation as a State PSU and a leading MRO player, the speaker observed that 'Business Excellence' today extends beyond fixed compliance and measures and largely depends upon adaptability, strategic resilience, and future readiness. Drawing upon lessons from the COVID-19 period, he underscored the Aviation sector's rediness to respond swiftly to crises through operational preparedness and coordinated planning. The speaker further stressed the need for India to strengthen its MRO ecosystem, scale infrastructure, adopt AI driven maintenance systems, and build globally accredited capabilities to support the country's rapidly expanding aviation market. Concluding his remarks, he emphasised that resilience, trust, skilled talent, and continuous innovation will remain essential to ensuring long-term economic growth, national capability, and global competitiveness in aviation maintenance services.

Ms. Priyanka Daing highlighted her organisation's longstanding commitment to sustainable growth under its guiding philosophy: "Doing for a Better Today and Tomorrow". Reflecting on the company's 178-year long journey, she noted that adaptability, resilience, and responsible business practices have remained central to the Group's evolution across changing market conditions globally.

Ms. Daing also outlined the company's ESG framework, “Together Towards ZERO and Beyond”, which focuses on key sustainability pillars and responsible operational practices. Referring to her organisation's growing footprint in India, including its extensive brewery and manufacturing network, she further emphasised the importance of integrating business growth with community development. Particular emphasis was placed on initiatives relating to water conservation, sustainability, education, and local community partnerships. She further highlighted that Carlsberg continues to work towards creating long-term value through responsible manufacturing practices, resource conservation, and meaningful social impact across all the regions, in which they operate.

Mr. Amit Gupta informed about his organisation's extensive contribution towards infrastructure development across India and globally. Present in over 75 countries with a strong technical workforce and widespread operational footprint, WAPCOS was described as a consultancy driven organisation specialising in water, power, and infrastructure sectors. The speaker emphasised the organisation's involvement in several nationally significant projects relating to water resources, housing, power distribution, transportation, and urban infrastructure. Stressing the importance of global collaboration, the address noted WAPCOS' partnerships with leading international financial institutions and technical organisations, including multilateral development banks and global engineering experts. Referring to projects across India, Bhutan, Nepal, Africa, and other regions, the speaker underscored the role of innovation, advanced engineering technologies, and sustainable infrastructure practices in addressing complex developmental challenges. Concluding the address, the speaker reaffirmed WAPCOS' commitment towards nation building, technological excellence, and delivering infrastructure solutions with long-term socioeconomic impact.

The Institute of Directors (IOD) expresses its sincere gratitude towards all its partners:

Our GOLD Partner:

1. AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL)

Our SILVER Partner:

1. SBI Securities

Our BRONZE Partners:

1. HDFC Mutual Fund
2. WAPCOS Limited
3. Aakar Design Consultants

Our ASSOCIATE Partners:

1. Carlsberg India
2. TATA Power Delhi Distribution Limited
3. AAF International- A Member of Daikin Group

This report has been compiled by:

Mr. Ashok Kapur, IAS (Retd.)
Director-General
Institute of Directors (IOD)

&

Ms. Violina Das
Assistant Editor – Director Today, and Assistant Manager – Communications
Board Research & Advisory
Institute of Directors (IOD)

Mr. Prasanna Mohile helms the Corporate Affairs Division at Pernod Ricard India. With a diversified experience of over four decades in Public Affairs and Public Relations across various industries, in his current role, he is responsible for assessing trends, policies and emerging issues, associate with regulatory bodies to develop and implement strategies to align with business goals.

Apart from staying abreast of the impact of legislative, executive, regulatory, think tanks and NGO policies on ease of doing business to pursue favourable policies, he also leads supervision of internal audit function to assure the effective operations of governance, policy and internal control processes as well as ensure corporate compliance processes and externally demanded organisational assessments.

With great acumen and expertise, Mr. Mohile has spent almost 15 years in his role to enhance visibility and reputation of Pernod Ricard India with all relevant stakeholders and position the company as a leader in the liquor industry.

Prior to his role at Pernod Ricard, he has extensive experience across multiple industries, including steel, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, and energy.

As an Executive Member of the Board and the National Head of Corporate Affairs, he is dedicated to steering the company in the right direction as part of the company's 'India Growth Story.'

The Institute of Directors is delighted to felicitate Mr. Prasanna Mohile in recognition of his distinguished leadership and outstanding contribution to the consumer goods industry.

Under his visionary leadership, Pernod Ricard India has advanced ethical governance, regulatory excellence, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable growth, while strengthening the company's reputation and industry standing.

He has played a pivotal role in driving Pernod Ricard India's remarkable “India Growth Story” through strategic leadership and responsible business practices. His unwavering commitment to corporate integrity, policy leadership, and institutional excellence truly reflects the spirit of transformative leadership and responsible enterprise.

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