Directors’ Institute Celebrates 20 ICDP Graduates Who Earned Oxford Saïd Elumni Status After Successfully Completing the Oxford Course

World Development Corporation’s Directors’ Institute – World Council of Directors today recognised 20 accomplished directors and senior executives who completed its International Corporate Directorship Programme (ICDP) and opted to complete an optional course offered by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, acknowledging their academic rigour, strategic depth, and demonstrated readiness for senior leadership and governance responsibilities.

The recognition highlights professionals who, through ICDP and the Oxford course completion, displayed strong governance awareness, analytical thinking, and the ability to apply global perspectives to complex organisational challenges. Selected participants represent diverse sectors and geographies, reflecting the international scope and relevance of the programme.

Directors’ Institute congratulates these accomplished professionals on this achievement and celebrates the continued pursuit of excellence in leadership, governance, and professional development that this milestone represents. 

1. Dr Deepa Chandrashekar

   Dr Deepa Chandrashekar is a seasoned finance, governance and risk leader with over three decades of experience across India, Canada and the Gulf. She has held senior leadership roles including CFO, Financial Advisor and Principal, leading complex transformations, strengthening governance and risk frameworks, optimising financial performance and supporting strategic decision-making at executive and board levels. Through Certitude Advisory Services, she currently advises organisations on ESG, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) and finance transformation. Her cross-border experience, financial acumen and governance mindset position her to contribute to boards focused on resilient growth, effective oversight and long-term strategic direction.

2. Dr Rajdeep Bhattacharya

   Dr Rajdeep Bhattacharya has nearly three decades of experience leading complex infrastructure and industrial projects across India. As Chief Project Officer at Leap India Foods and Logistics Ltd., he oversees pan-India projects with responsibility for strategic planning, project finance, risk, cost, and operational governance. His work across metro rail, nuclear, marine, highway, and industrial infrastructure, along with experience managing multi-crore portfolios and large teams, gives him strong expertise in execution, capital-intensive decision-making, risk oversight, and organizational strategy—relevant to board-level responsibilities. 

3. Mr Venugopal Lalgeri

   Venugopal Lalgeri comes with 19+ years of experience across automotive, electronics, and consumer durables, combining engineering leadership with product risk and quality management. As Assistant Manager – Engineering at International Automotive Components (IAC), he leads the FMEA Center of Excellence and oversees design risk management for key vehicle components. His expertise in product safety, VAVE-led cost optimization, design governance, and innovation, including patented solutions, gives him a practical perspective on technology, operational risk, and product-related decisions relevant to board oversight. 

4. Dr Srinivas Jagarlapudi

   Dr Srinivas Jagarlapudi has built a 20+ year career across pharmaceutical research, analytical sciences, quality, regulatory affairs and CRO operations. As CEO and Director at Visin Labs, he oversees technical and business planning, regulatory compliance, contracts and governance processes. His experience leading USFDA and EU GMP inspections, establishing R&D facilities, managing complex regulatory submissions and implementing quality systems provides expertise in assessing regulatory risk, R&D investment, product quality and compliance. His experience across CRO operations and the pharmaceutical sector further strengthens his ability to support informed board-level decision-making.

5. Ms Anuradha Prathap

   Anuradha Prathap has spent more than two decades building expertise in corporate governance, contracts, compliance, and strategic procurement. As General Manager – Contracts & Company Secretary at Bagmane Group, she oversees board documentation, statutory compliance, complex contracts, vendor negotiations, and regulatory matters. Her long-term experience within a large real estate organization gives her practical insight into managing legal and operational risk while supporting business growth, enabling her to contribute effectively to board discussions on governance, compliance, contracts, and organizational oversight. 

6. Mr Rangarajan Kadambi

   Ranga Kadambi is a Digital Transformation leader and Board Director with over 25 years of global IT expertise. He serves as a trusted C-suite advisor, bridging the gap between advanced technology and enterprise governance His experience in building GCCs and Build-Operate-Transfer models, scaling technology organizations, and serving at the board level gives him a practical understanding of technology strategy, AI governance, digital risk, and business transformation—areas increasingly important to board-level decision-making. 

   
   

7. Dr Nirakar Pradhan

   Dr Nirakar Pradhan combines more than 40 years of experience in financial services with leadership across India and Europe. As Director at Finkasturi Nivesh Pvt Ltd., he focuses on investment advisory, financial strategy, and responsible wealth management. His earlier leadership at Generali Group included oversight of investment controls for portfolios exceeding €500 billion, while his tenure as CIO at Future Generali India Life Insurance strengthened his expertise in investment governance and performance. This background enables him to bring informed judgment to board discussions on capital, risk, and long-term financial strategy. 

8. Mr Ramesh Bhat

   Ramesh Bhat's career spans over 25 years of managing cybersecurity, risk, and governance across complex technology environments. Current as independent consultant for Hitachi Energy he is helping them attain higher maturity in compliance and Controls. Prior to this role, as Practice Delivery Head – Strategy & Risk at Wipro Ltd., he focused on strengthening delivery, governance frameworks, and cybersecurity transformation. He has led initiatives ranging from ISO 27001 implementation and security audits to NIST-based assessments and vulnerability management. He offers boards a practical understanding of how cyber risks can affect business, regulatory compliance, and organizational resilience.

9. Mr Nagesh Sanap

   Nagesh Sanap's 27+ years in manufacturing leadership have given him extensive experience managing complex operations, improving productivity, and aligning plant performance with commercial objectives. Currently serving as Plant Head at Rockdude Impex Pvt. Ltd., he oversees production, financial planning, vendors, quality, and operational efficiency. His experience managing a business contributing approximately ₹148 crore in annual revenue, alongside major capacity and process improvements, enables him to bring an execution-focused view of cost, operational resilience, and sustainable business growth to the boardroom. 

10. Mr Rakesh Kumar Sharma

    Rakesh Kumar Sharma has over 25 years of experience in HR leadership, business transformation and organisational strategy across industries and international markets. As Founder and CHRO of OLYX Global HR, he advises boards, promoters and CXOs on M&A, IPO readiness, leadership search, executive compensation, succession and governance. Earlier, as Group Head – HR at Neuberg Diagnostics, he led a 5,000+ employee workforce across India, USA, UAE and South Africa, driving M&A, Digital HR Transformation and strategic HR advisory for promoters, partners, CXOs and board members. His experience supports board discussions on leadership succession, organisational resilience, workforce strategy and governance.

    
    

11. Mr Sunny Williams

    Capt. Sunny Williams brings more than three decades of experience spanning vessel operations, port logistics, supply chains, and commercial strategy. In his current role as Senior Vice President at Allcargo Terminals Ltd., he leads the Western India business, including P&L, strategic initiatives, regulatory coordination, and new projects. Having moved from command-level maritime operations into senior commercial roles, he understands both operational risk and business performance across the logistics value chain, allowing him to contribute practical insight to board-level strategy and oversight. 

12. Dr Vidhya Arumugam

    Dr Vidhya Arumugam has over 18 years of experience in business strategy, transformation, and advisory across startups, established enterprises, and social-impact organizations. Currently serving as an Independent Director and Business Strategy & Transformation professional, she advises founders, CXOs, and investors on growth, market expansion, fundraising, and organizational change. Her experience developing revenue and franchise models, supporting strategic transformations, and evaluating emerging businesses gives her a practical understanding of commercial growth, stakeholder alignment, risk, and long-term value creation. 

13. Mr Rajesh Sharma

    Rajesh Sharma's career spans more than 25 years of progressive leadership in electrical switchgear, automation and international business development. In his former role at Schneider Electric FZE, he led the Lauritz Knudsen transactional products business across MEA, combining P&L management with market and growth strategy. His track record of building businesses in new markets, developing strategic partnerships and managing multi-country operations enables him to contribute to board discussions on global expansion, commercial strategy and enterprise risk.

14. Dr Porus Mistry

    Dr Porus Yazdi Mistry brings over 35 years of experience across banking, financial services, payments, technology, governance and corporate treasury. He currently serves as Strategic Consultant & GenAI Transformation at Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., driving Corporate Treasury Transformation through technology, automation, and Generative AI. A PhD in Banking & Finance with specialization in FinTech, Dr. Mistry combines deep financial expertise with strategic technology and transformation experience, offering valuable perspectives on corporate governance, risk management, digital finance, controls, and enterprise transformation.

15. Ms Ranjan Gupta

    Ranjan Gupta has over 35 years of experience overseeing educational institutions, governance processes, and organizational operations. In her current role as Head at School Specialty, Inc., she is responsible for academic administration, policy execution, resource management, and institutional planning. Her experience with Triveni Educational & Social Welfare Society, including the development and management of schools and colleges, has involved regulatory coordination, stakeholder accountability, and institutional decision-making. She brings a strong understanding of governance, organizational risk, and long-term institutional sustainability to board-level discussions.

16. Mr Ritesh Chaudhari

    Ritesh Chaudhari holds over 30 years of experience across information technology, manufacturing processes, materials management, and enterprise systems. In his current role as Senior Specialist – Package Implementation at LTI – Larsen & Toubro, he drives large-scale SAP implementations and business process transformations across complex industrial environments. Leveraging deep expertise in SAP S/4HANA, supply chain dynamics, order management, and manufacturing operations, Mr. Chaudhari serves as a strategic advisor on digital transformation, process efficiency, technology investment, and operational integration for board-level initiatives.

17. Mr Rajeev Kumar

    Rajeev Kumar has spent over four decades working across exploration and production, energy strategy, business development and regulatory affairs. As Vice President at BP India and a Whole-Time Director, he contributes to the company’s India strategy while leading strategic partnerships and external engagement. His ability to work across corporate, government and institutional stakeholders equips him to provide informed board-level oversight on strategy, regulatory matters, partnerships and sustainable growth.

18. Mr Duvvuri Kiran Kumar

    Kiirran Duvvuri brings over 24 years of experience in supply chain, commercial operations and FMCG distribution, with a strong understanding of how operational decisions affect business performance and profitability. As Team Leader – Supply Chain Commercial Operations at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, he oversees high-volume markets and works across sales, finance, production, supply planning and logistics. His experience in centralizing distributor processes, improving cost efficiency and strengthening distribution controls enables him to contribute to board discussions on operational governance, commercial strategy and scalable growth.

19. Mr Krishnakumar Kottekkat

    Over a 28-year career across the GCC, India, the UK, and the USA, Krishnakumar Kottekkat has led enterprise technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and risk programmes across governments and regulated institutions. He has served as CISO at ConnectSecure LLC, driving security, compliance, and risk transformation for a global SaaS platform. He has also directed the QAR 250M+ FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Connected Stadium Programme across all eight Doha venues and served as Board Secretary for the delivery joint venture. Most recently, he has built a cybersecurity practice and advised on Qatar’s sovereign digital infrastructure. His expertise spans digital strategy, cyber resilience, enterprise risk, P&L, and board governance.

20. Dr P. Bhanu Sireesha 

    Dr P. Bhanu Sireesha has built a 30+ year career spanning accounting, finance, academic leadership, and institutional administration. As Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance at ICFAI Business School, IFHE Hyderabad, she brings expertise in corporate finance, financial reporting, capital markets, and financial modelling. As Editor-in-Chief of an accounting and audit research journal, she contributes to research governance and academic integrity.Her expertise supports informed board-level decisions on finance, governance, risk, and sustainability.

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