The global influence of Indian-origin leaders has been profoundly highlighted in the inaugural HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024, which recognizes 226 individuals steering 200 of the world's most valuable companies, collectively worth an astounding $10 trillion.
1. Satya Nadella – Chairman and CEO, Microsoft
- Company Valuation: $3.146 trillion
- Background: Born in Hyderabad, India, Nadella earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Mangalore University before moving to the U.S. for higher studies. He joined Microsoft in 1992 and ascended to CEO in 2014, leading the company through significant growth and innovation.
2. Sundar Pichai – CEO, Alphabet (Google)
- Company Valuation: $2.107 trillion
- Background: Hailing from Chennai, India, Pichai holds a degree in metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur and furthered his education at Stanford University and the Wharton School. Joining Google in 2004, he became CEO in 2015 and later took the helm of Alphabet Inc. in 2019.
3. Neal Mohan – CEO, YouTube
- Company Valuation: $455 billion
- Background: Mohan completed his electrical engineering degree at Stanford University. Before becoming YouTube's CEO in 2023, he played pivotal roles at Google, contributing significantly to the company's advertising products.
4. Thomas Kurian – CEO, Google Cloud
- Company Valuation: $353 billion
- Background: Born in Kerala, India, Kurian studied at Princeton University and later earned an MBA from Stanford. Prior to leading Google Cloud, he had a long tenure at Oracle Corporation, where he was responsible for product development.
5. Shantanu Narayen – Chairman and CEO, Adobe
- Company Valuation: $231 billion
- Background:** A native of Hyderabad, India, Narayen holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication engineering from Osmania University and an MBA from UC Berkeley. Joining Adobe in 1998, he became CEO in 2007, steering the company to new heights with a focus on creative software solutions.
6. Sanjiv Lamba – CEO, Linde
- Company Valuation: $222 billion
- Background: Lamba, an alumnus of the University of Delhi, has extensive experience in the industrial gases sector. He joined Linde in 1989 and has held various leadership roles across different regions before becoming CEO in 2022.
7. Vasant Narasimhan – CEO, Novartis
- Company Valuation: $216 billion
- Background: Narasimhan earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and a master's in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School. He joined Novartis in 2005 and became CEO in 2018, focusing on innovative medicines and digital transformation.
8. Arvind Krishna – Chairman and CEO, IBM
- Company Valuation: $208 billion
- Background: Born in West Godavari, India, Krishna completed his bachelor's in electrical engineering from IIT Kanpur and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Joining IBM in 1990, he rose to CEO in 2020, emphasizing cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
9. Vimal Kapur – CEO, Honeywell International
- Company Valuation: $152 billion
- Background: Kapur holds a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering in India. With over three decades at Honeywell, he took on the CEO role in 2023, focusing on sustainability and digital transformation.
10. Kevin Lobo – Chairman and CEO, Stryker
- Company Valuation: $149 billion
- Background: Born in India and raised in Canada, Lobo earned an MBA from the University of Toronto. He joined Stryker in 2011 and became CEO in 2012, leading the company to become a global leader in medical technology.
These leaders collectively account for a staggering 73% of the total value of the companies on the list, underscoring their unparalleled influence across various industries, including technology, healthcare, chemicals, and artificial intelligence.
The dominance of technology is evident, with 87 entrants leading software and services companies. Healthcare and financial services also play significant roles, showcasing the breadth of Indian-origin leadership. San Francisco emerges as the hub for these visionaries, home to 37 individuals on the list. Other notable cities include London and Dubai, with 8 and 6 leaders, respectively.
Education plays a pivotal role in the success of these global leaders. A remarkable 62% have studied in India, with nearly a quarter being graduates of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This highlights the foundational role of India’s education system in fostering world-class talent.
The list also features women leaders like Neha Narkhede (Confluent), Anjali Sud (Tubi), Yamini Rangan (HubSpot), and Leena Nair (Chanel). These trailblazers collectively oversee companies valued at $436 billion, surpassing the GDP of Malaysia, and are instrumental in driving innovation and
Last Updated Jan 22, 2025, 1:43 PM IST