Mr. Karan Paul, Group Chairman
Mr. Karan Paul, the son of late Surrendra Paul, is the Chairman of the Apeejay Surrendra Group. Inducted in the business in 1992, Mr Paul oversees Group financial planning and business strategy, Group diversification into new business ventures and operations as well as management of Group's Tea and Shipping divisions. An alumnus from the Brown University, US, Mr. Paul's vision is to make The Apeejay Surrendra Group, India's largest and the most profitable privately owned family business.
Upon donning the mantle of Chairmanship on July 14, 2004, from Mrs Shirin Paul, who is Chairperson Emeritus, henceforth, Mr. Paul set the Group's roadmap to 2010. In a statement to all employees he said, "I want us to be industry leaders in whatever we do and I believe that we have the necessary abilities to make this vision, real for all of us. I believe that the cornerstone of success is integrity. We must always do good business and the right thing, drawing from our tradition of trust, reliability and fairness. These values are very dear to us and must not be compromised with." Mr. Paul believes that the Group can deliver to customers worldwide, products and services of the highest standards built by the best processes and managed by the ablest people.
Mrs. Shirin Paul, Group Chairperson Emeritus
Mrs. Shirin Paul took over the Chairmanship of the Apeejay Surrendra Group under tragic circumstances in April 1990. In July 2004, she became the Chairperson Emeritus of the Group, handing over the office of Chairperson to her son Karan Paul.
Apeejay Surrendra Group (established in 1910) is a dynamic Indian multinational with rapidly expanding operations in Tea, Hospitality, Shipping, Real Estate and Retail. Mrs. Paul directs the Educational and Philanthropic activities of the Group. She oversees the management of the Apeejay Schools in Kolkata and is the Chairperson of The Paul Foundation. The Paul Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding scholars who are committed to make a difference to the society through their work. As a Trustee of the Apeejay Trust, she works with development projects focusing on children, women, the disadvantaged and the disabled. She has a deep interest in promoting art and culture, is a keen horticulturist, and finds Yoga-Meditation as the ultimate healer of body, mind and soul.
Ms. Priya Paul, Director
Ms. Priya Paul is a Bachelor of Economics, Wellesley College, USA. She is overseeing the management of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels as the Chairperson. She is the Director the Apeejay Surrendra group and joined the Group's hospitality business as the Marketing Manager, The Park, New Delhi, in July of 1988.
Ms Paul is the President, Hotel Association of India (HAI), Founder Member, World Travel Tourism Council - Asia Chapter (WTTC).Ms Paul is also the Education Chairman of the Young President's Organization (YPO), Trustee, India Foundation of the Arts (IFA) and member of the South Asia Women's Fund, The Ford Foundation and member of the Advisory Board of Directors, IIM Lucknow. Her interests include Reading, Art, Cuisine and its History, Meditation and Exercise.
Ms. Priti Paul, Director
Ms. Priti Paul is a Masters in Design Studies, Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, minor in Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA. She developed Apeejay Business Centres, with operations in Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi and spearheads Real Estate and Design division of the group. She is the driving force behind re-launching and repositioning Oxford Bookstore in Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore. She has also been in charge of the team that developed India's largest book, music and gift site, www.oxfordbookstore.com. In addition to this, she also oversees the London operations of Apeejay Group. Apeejay Anand Children's Library is another project close to her heart.
A member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, she is also a member of Women in Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA), England, Member - India Committee, American Bureau of Shipping, USA and is the founding Member of the MIT Club India. Her interests include yoga, painting, collecting art and creating sculpture in steel.
