The Most Awaited Prestigious List from the Global Community of Directors, Ready for Roles in Listed, Unlisted or Startup Companies.
Directors’ Institute – World Council Of Directors proudly unveils its Top 10 Emerging Directors of the Month, spotlighting leaders accomplished to drive impact across listed companies, private enterprises and startups. With expertise spanning technology, finance, manufacturing, energy and ESG, these professionals exemplify the vision and governance needed in today’s boardrooms. Through BoardSearch.ai, the Institute connects such senior leaders with organizations worldwide, shaping the future of corporate leadership.
Recent Recognition:
Best Director Development Program in the USA of 2025
Adding to its reputation for excellence, DI has recently been named the recipient of the prestigious “Best Director Development Program in the USA of 2025” by the Evergreen Awards. This recognition highlights DI’s continued commitment to providing world-class education in corporate governance. By offering cutting-edge training and fostering strong connections within the industry, DI has set a new standard for leadership development. This accolade serves as a testament to the institute’s outstanding contribution to advancing director education and governance practices.
1. Mr Kassem Lahham
Kassem Lahham, a Seasoned Private Banker and Co-founder & CEO of Brightwealth Banking, Brightflixx entertainment and Springbox.ai, brings over 30 years of expertise in private banking, wealth management, fintech and blockchain. His career spans building private banking teams, pioneering Islamic banking solutions and advising ultra-high-net-worth clients across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Currently serving on multiple boards, including SuisseBase™ | Digital Payments and holding leadership roles in fintech-driven organizations, he combines financial stewardship with advanced knowledge of digital assets and AI. His global perspective, governance experience and ability to bridge traditional finance with innovation strongly reflect his board readiness.
2. Mr Muhammad Shakil
Muhammad Shakil holds over 22 years of experience in governance, risk management, compliance, and internal audit across South Asian and Middle Eastern banking markets. Currently serving as SVP & Head of Governance and Control for Wholesale Banking at Saudi Awwal Bank (HSBC Group), he has strengthened risk frameworks, enhanced operational controls, and fostered a culture of compliance across large organizations. His exposure to multinational banks, regulatory oversight, and leadership of large-scale compliance and risk initiatives positions him to provide strategic guidance and governance insight at the board level.
3. Mr Niranjan Gidwani
Niranjan Gidwani, a Certified Board Director and Board Member, has established 43 years of expertise in senior management and international business, spanning India, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore and the MENA region. As a former CEO of Eros Group Dubai, he has led multinational operations, scaling revenues to 7X, consistently crossing USD 1 billion, building leadership teams and managing P&L across diverse markets. His expertise spans strategy, global business development, operational efficiency and brand management. Extensive cross-border exposure and prior board experience equip him to provide strategic guidance, governance oversight and informed decision-making at the board level.
4. Mr Gaurav Kharbanda
Gaurav Kharbanda has over 24 years of experience leading multi-sector operations across BPO, corporate travel, energy and government services and currently serves as Corporate Senior Vice President at WNS Global Services.He has managed over 6,600 professionals globally, driving scalable growth, operational excellence and innovation, including award-winning employee-centric and process improvement initiatives. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Gaurav combines strategic foresight with governance-focused leadership, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation and sustainable performance.His extensive global exposure and proven track record in transforming complex operations position him as a strong contributor to board strategy and decision-making.
5. Mr Srikant Peri
Srikant Peri, Chief Operating Officer at Q COLLECTIVE, brings over 35 years of leadership across luxury hospitality and wellness. A Certified ESG Expert and Digital Director, he is recognized for transforming organizations with a balance of operational excellence, digital innovation, and sustainability. With international exposure and deep governance readiness, Srikant is well placed to serve as an Independent Director, guiding boards on strategy, stakeholder value, and long-term resilience.
6. Mr Aranganthan Vengatachalam
Aranganathan Vengatachalam has over 25 years of experience in senior operations and general management and is currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Advantage Foods Private Ltd. He has driven a remarkable increase in aggregator sales for Advantage Foods Pvt Ltd while maintaining operational efficiency and cost control. He has led international ventures across the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand, driving operational efficiency, revenue growth, and staff development in the hospitality sector. His expertise in strategic planning, P&L management, and multi-location operations, combined with hands-on experience in culinary and remote restaurant management, equips him to provide actionable guidance and governance oversight at the boardroom, ensuring sustainable growth and operational excellence.
7. Mr Chandra Malluri
Malluri Chandra brings nearly three decades of expertise in Rotating Equipment Design & Engineering, Technical Authority, and Project Management. He has held senior engineering roles at prominent organizations such as Petroleum Development Oman, Worley Parsons, Petrofac, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. He currently serves as the Lead Rotating Equipment Engineer at ADNOC Group Onshore.
His career includes pivotal roles in high-value projects , including the Rabab Harweel Integrated Project (US$4B), Yibal Khuff (US$3B), and strategic compressor procurement programs exceeding (US$450M). His leadership has been instrumental in ensuring operational reliability and adherence to technical standards. With deep expertise in managing high-value assets, vendor relations, and strategic execution, he offers boards valuable insights into risk management, governance, and operational optimization within complex industrial settings.
8. Ms Amrita Karthik
Amrita Kaushik brings over 24 years of experience in global banking technology and digital transformation and served as Vice President of Digital Banking at Citicorp Services Pvt Ltd. She has led large-scale programs in AI/ML, Big Data, Blockchain and cloud-based banking solutions, delivering innovative products and streamlining processes across corporate, wealth and consumer banking. Her leadership in implementing predictive risk analytics, UPI payments and client-focused AI systems demonstrates her ability to align technology with strategic business goals. This expertise equips her to guide boards on digital strategy, innovation adoption and AI/ML-driven governance.
9. Mr Bandhan Roy
With 15+ years of experience in supply chain optimization and SAP MM implementation, Bandhan Roy serves as Founder and Director of Rottame Reciclar Private Limited. He has led projects enhancing procurement efficiency, digital innovation and operational sustainability. His hands-on experience in managing technology-driven transformations and cross-functional teams enables him to advise on strategic and governance matters. His ability to align technology with business objectives and manage complex, cross-functional teams positions him to contribute meaningfully to board-level decision-making.
10. Dr Jaikumar Krishnarao
Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Dr.(hc) Jaikumar Krishnarao currently serves as Head of Quality Assurance for the Future cities programme and currently working for Sultan Haitham City Programme at Programme management office for MOHUP in Muscat, Oman. He has successfully implemented advanced Quality systems, Programme Management office processes, introduced innovative methodologies, systems training and overseen large-scale construction projects across India and the Middle East. . He is a Life Member of the Indian Concrete Institute, a Full Member of the Quality Council of India, and holds the prestigious designation of Chartered Quality Professional (MCQI) from the CQI, UK. His deep expertise in Governance, risk management, and operational oversight equips him to provide strategic direction and contribute effectively at the boardroom level.
As today’s corporate landscape evolves, the demand for board-ready leaders who combine expertise, foresight, and integrity has never been greater. Whether you’re an existing Independent Director, a Whole-Time Director, or an aspiring professional preparing for your first board role, joining a credible network can be the turning point in your leadership journey.
Through its BoardSearch.ai platform, Directors’ Institute connects distinguished directors from their pool with meaningful mandates—bridging opportunities between seasoned leaders and organizations seeking strategic governance leadership.
