• Solid. Since 1910.
• Young at 100

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• Apeejay Surrendra Management Services
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• Leaders

Mr. Karan Paul, Group Chairman

Karan Paul is the Chairman of Apeejay Surrendra Group. Karan Paul oversees Group financial planning and business strategy, Group diversification into new business ventures and operations as well as management of Group's Tea, Shipping divisions as well as its Schools. Karan’s first business as an entrepreneur was a finance company and a stock-broking company. He ran those businesses for about 10 years and sold them in 2006-07. So at the age of just 35, Karan Paul had turned around and sold two businesses exposing him to the complete business cycle from inception to finish and a profitable sale. Notably he hived off the two Financial Services companies choosing partners who would grow the business and add value to his customers whose trust his companies had enjoyed tremendously for over a decade.

Under his stewardship, Apeejay Surrendra has made very large business investments and expanded across various business verticals especially its core businesses of Shipping and Hotels. Group has forward integrated its Tea Plantation business by acquiring an FMCG brand which retails in nearly 50 countries globally. The Group has diversified into new business ventures of Marine Cluster, Logistics Parks which has effected backward and forward integration of its Shipping Business. The Real Estate division has incremented Land Banks and consolidated as well as grown Real Estate commercial developments across India.

With a sense of shared ownership and a deep belief in the joint family business Karan Paul works with his sisters, Priya and Priti Paul as a team involved in oversight of Apeejay Surrendra’s growth and management. The same approach flows within the Group where Karan has tried to evolve away from the family owned concept to that of a team backed by an extremely professional HR structure ; a professional system with a lot of delegation and responsibility given to Group top management, the CEOs and HODs.

After working in various positions within the Group for 12 years, Karan donned the mantle of Chairmanship in 2004 and immediately set the Group on a path of consolidation and growth. Working Hard, Being Humane, Being Reliable, Doing good business with trust, integrity and fairness, Ensuring a win-win partnership for everybody related to the enterprise, whether it is employees, suppliers, customers or bankers, is the Family legacy and values Karan was born to and ensures that they remain intact as the business grows. Within less than a decade of joining the Group Karan put in place a system of providing grants to students pursuing higher studies in India and abroad through The Paul Foundation set up in 2001. A year after he became Chairman, Typhoo Tea, a company he acquired in what was then India’s 2nd largest global FMCG acquisition began its partnership with the English Federation of Disability Sport to make sport more accessible for disabled people across the UK.

Karan Paul has evolved a comprehensive strategy that funnels resources into the Social Sector, Education, Environment and Stakeholder Relations, all executed through institutionalized processes at the corporate level while each Group company invests in sustainability and social sector partnerships within communities attached to their business. Karan created India’s pioneering National Award for Volunteers in 2011 that took forward the Individual Social ResponsibilityTM program instituted in the Group in 2007 which he had put his weight behind, three years after he ascended to Chairmanship. Confederation of NGOs (iCONGO) felicitated Karan Paul with its coveted ‘Karmaveer Puraskaar, 2012 Corporate Citizen for Holistic CSR Initiatives’ award. The award was in recognition of commendable work in the field of social service and for interpreting responsibilities in the broadest and deepest terms - as an individual and as a leader of Apeejay Surrendra Group - adjudicated by processes created by the international HR audit firm Mercer and Grant Thornton.

A Brown University alumnus, Karan Paul's vision is that Apeejay Surrendra Group become and remain one of India's largest and the most profitable privately owned family business. In the past and at present, Karan has been on the Executive Committees of various Chambers of Commerce like CII, FICCI, ICC, Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and actively involved with reputed trade organizations and professional forums like YPO, YLF, INSA, ITA, etc.

Ms. Priya Paul, Director

Art collector and design aficionado Priya Paul is Director of Apeejay Surrendra Group and Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels. Priya Paul started her career under her father, the Late Surrendra Paul, as the Marketing Manager of The Park in New Delhi. A prominent business woman and one of the most revered personalities in the hospitality industry; Priya Paul is the creative powerhouse behind country's leading collection of contemporary luxury boutique hotels – The Park. She has worked tirelessly towards building a brand that is synonymous with her unique creative energy and is well recognized for her leadership qualities. Under her direction and leadership, The Park Hotels have emerged as stylish, edgy, fun and warm – a true reflection of contemporary India.

Priya Paul is a Trustee of Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) and Board Member, National Council of Science Museums. She is an Executive Committee Member and Ex-President of Hotel Association of India (HAI), is a founder member as well as the Ex- Chairperson of World Travel &Tourism Council (WTTC) – India Initiative, Chairperson South Asia Women’s Fund, and a member of Harvard Business School’s India Advisory Board.

Priya Paul has received the FHRAI (Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India) Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2000, was recognized by Forbes online as one of India’s 100 most powerful business women in 2006, and took home the Zee Astitva Award in the Business category in 2008. She has also been awarded the ‘Spa Personality of the Year’ for the year 2009-10 by Asia Spa India, India Today Woman in Business Award and PHD Chamber-Distinguished Women Entrepreneur Award for 2009-2010 and has been inducted into the FHRAI Hall of Fame in 2010.

Priya Paul’s design sensibilities are well-acknowledged in the industry. She was awarded “Excellence in Design Innovation 2011” by Condé Nast Traveller India, for seamlessly combining her passion for boutique hotels and her love of contemporary art and high-function design.

Priya Paul has been working in this industry for 25 years and it has been a rewarding journey to create something different and out of the ordinary. She was awarded the Aatithya Ratna Award by Hotel Investment Forum India, 2011. This award was established by HIFI to honor an individual who exemplifies the extraordinary spirit of hospitality. Since 2011, Fortune India has consistently listed Priya Paul in the 50 powerful business women in India. To commemorate her contribution to the hotel industry for last 25 years, ‘Hall of Fame 2011’ was bestowed to her by Hotelier India.

She has been awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri in 2012 for her services to Trade & Industry by the President of India and in 2014, was conferred the prestigious Insignia of Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (National Order of Merit) an Order of State, granted by the President of the French Republic.

Priya Paul has a BA in Economics from Wellesley College. She also completed the Owner President Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Ms. Priti Paul, Director

Priti Paul is Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group. Educated at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University and Architectural Association School of Architecture, UK, Royal Institute of British Architects, Priti Paul has been at the forefront of taking over the business of the century old Apeejay Surrendra Group post her father’s assassination in 1990. Since then, she has spearheaded the real estate division of the Group which included expanding the business of the Oxford Bookstore in India and abroad, launched India’s first gallery on new media art – Apeejay Media Gallery, conceptualized, designed and launched a range of projects in India and a Abroad and set up the London Office of Apeejay Shipping Limited.

Priti Paul, is also the creative force behind the iconic Oxford Bookstore, the best equipped 'base-camp' for journeys of the mind established in 1919. In 1995, on the Heritage store's platinum anniversary, the iconic store was refashioned as Oxford Bookstore - Gallery. Since then, she has made Oxford into India’s favourite bookstore, taking the Brand to unprecedented heights and across India. She has also been at the forefront of education for children coming from economically weaker sections of the society which is manifested through the Apeejay Anand Children’s Library run for the benefit of street children.

Priti Paul is a member of prestigious organizations like Royal Institute of British Architects, Women in Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA), England, India Committee of American Bureau of Shipping, USA, FICCI Committee of Art and Business of Art, India, Harvard Club India, MIT Club India. In 2013, she was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctorate of Business Administration by the Rai University, India.

Mr. A. K. Bhargava, Managing Director Apeejay Tea Limited

Ashok Bhargava is Managing Director of Apeejay Tea Limited and heads Apeejay Typhoo Tea business in India. An alumnus of London Business School where he completed the Senior Executive programme with distinction, Ashok joined Apeejay Tea in 1977 as a Trainee Assistant Manager. He became the youngest Manager in 1986 and was inducted on the board as Director Operations in 2000. He has been a key member of the team, responsible for transformation of the Apeejay Tea into a producer of superior quality teas. Ashok also heads the Apeejay Typhoo tea business in India. He leads his team from the front, aligning them with the company's vision and inspiring them to deliver their very best. Ashok is an avid golfer.

Mr. Ashoke Ghosh, Director Finance, Apeejay Tea Limited

Ashoke Ghosh is Director Finance, Apeejay Tea Limited as well as holds the portfolio of Director Corporate Finance, Apeejay Surrendra Group. A qualified Chartered Accountant and a Company Secretary , Ashoke is responsible for finances of the all Group companies. His academic brilliance and professional experience spanning more than two decades makes him a key member of the Group Management. He moved to Apeejay Surrendra Corporate Services in 2000, after a 12-year stint with India Foils Ltd, as their GM and Secretary. An avid rower, Mr Ghosh has a passion for sports and music.

Mr. Vijay Dewan, Managing Director Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels

Mr. Vijay Dewan is the Managing Director of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, India’s first and only collection of luxury boutique hotels. Mr. Dewan is responsible for overall hotel operations, business strategy formulation, overseeing marketing operations and planning sustainable growth for the hotels.

In 1991, Mr. Dewan joined The Park Hotels in Kolkata, and soon took over as General Manager. It was under his efficient and able management that The Park Kolkata experienced its dramatic turnaround. Thereafter he was appointed Vice President and subsequently became the Managing Director in 2003. His effective leadership, direction and vision have helped The Park Hotels to achieve and maintain its niche leadership position as a collection of luxury boutique hotels.

Mr. Dewan has a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry and a Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management with over 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He has undergone several professional courses from Cornell University, London Business School and The Harvard Business School.

Mr Dewan is on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Hotel Management and a Managing Committee Member of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurants Association of India. He is also a member of the State Council, Confederation of Indian Industry.

Based out of Kolkata, Mr. Dewan is an avid golfer and finds it the ultimate relaxant.

Mr. S. S. Mahapatra, Chief Executive Officer Apeejay Shipping Limited

Capt Shekhar. S. Mahapatra is Chief Executive Officer of Apeejay Shipping Limited. He is a Fellow of the Indian Council Of Arbitration and on the panel of ICA’s shipping arbitrators; a member of the Nautical Institute (London) and the Company of Master Mariners here in India. He has been lecturing (since 1997) on commercial shipping as a visiting faculty in various institutes (Mumbai’s LBS College for Advanced Maritime Studies and Research, Mumbai Marine Training Institute, Kolkata's Indian Institute of Port Management). He moved to Apeejay Shipping Limited in 2004 after a 30 year stint with Great Eastern Shipping where he started his sea career as a cadet in 1974, sailed on various types of ships for 13 years and was in shore based management of their large fleet for 17 years.

Mr. Divesh Kumar, Director Human Resource, Apeejay Surrendra Group

Mr. Divesh Kumar is Director Human Resource at Apeejay Surrendra Group. A Post Graduate in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi Divesh spearheads the Human Resource Development function at Apeejay Surrendra Group. Rich and diverse experience, Leadership development at all levels and managing distinctive aspirations of a diverse set of people are Divesh's strength. He also is a certified Business Excellence Model assessor with Performance Grade ‘A’- Gold Standard in A Business Excellence Leaders Programme. Mr. Kumar began his career with A Steel and has worked there in various capacities. In a career spanning over 24 years Mr. Kumar has worked with Callderys India, Imerys, Jusco and A NYK Shipping. Divesh has passion for sports, Golf in particular, music and reading.

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