The chartered accountant and Coforge chairman joined the board effective Nov. 3, subject to shareholder approval.
Lupin Limited (NSE: LUPIN, BSE: 500257) named Akhil Gupta an independent director effective Nov. 3, the Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company announced Wednesday.
The board approved Gupta’s appointment as an additional non-executive independent director for a five-year term, running through Nov. 2. 2031, subject to shareholder approval. The company said Gupta is not related to any Lupin director or key managerial personnel.
Chairperson expects board input on growth
Lupin Chairperson Manju D. Gupta said Akhil Gupta’s counsel will be valuable as the company continues to build its global standing and pursue its next phase of growth.
The company distributes products in more than 100 markets and sells generics, complex generics, specialty medicines, and biosimilars. It operates 15 manufacturing facilities and six research centers, and employs over 26,000 people.
Gupta brings corporate strategy and M&A experience
Akhil Gupta has more than four decades of experience in corporate strategy, finance, governance and mergers and acquisitions, according to Lupin. As vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises Limited, he was involved in the group’s expansion through organic growth and acquisitions.
A chartered accountant, he completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
New director holds three board chairmanships
Gupta is non-executive independent chairman of Coforge (NSE: COFORGE), 360 ONE WAM (NSE: 360ONE) and Valuedrive Technologies Ltd. (Spinny). He also serves as an independent director of Lodha Developers (NSE: LODHA) and Zepto, and as nominee director of Acevector Limited. He also serves as an independent director of Lodha Developers (NSE: LODHA) and Zepto, and as nominee director of Acevector Limited.
His other roles include president of the Telecom Sector Skill Council and chairman of Inversion Advisory Services. He is also a member of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s National Committee on Telecom & Broadband and its Task Force on Insolvency and Bankruptcy.
Shareholder approval pending
Although the board has approved the appointment and five-year term, the decision remains subject to shareholder approval, Lupin said in its filing.
