Roshni Nadar: The First Chairwoman of a Listed Indian IT Firm

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, a name that reminds us of innovation and leadership, stands as a model of empowerment in the corporate world. As the Chairperson of HCL Technologies, one of India's leading global IT services companies, she has not only shattered glass ceilings but also redefined the paradigms of business leadership.

Her ascent to the top of a predominantly male-dominated industry is proof of her determined spirit and visionary approach. Under her stewardship, HCL has seen unprecedented growth, cementing its position as a global technology leader.

Roshni's journey from a media enthusiast to a corporate magnate is nothing short of inspiring. Let’s go through her inspiring journey in this article.

Roshni Nadar Biography

Roshni Nadar - Early life & Education
Roshni Nadar - Career
Roshni Nadar - HCL Technologies
Roshni Nadar - Personal Life
Roshni Nadar - Awards and Recognitions
Roshni Nadar - Interesting Facts
Roshni Nadar - Philanthropy
Roshni Nadar - Quotes

Roshni Nadar - Early life & Education

Born & brought up in Delhi, Roshni Nadar did her schooling at the Vasant Valley School. She graduated from NorthWestern University in the US, majoring in Communication and a focus on media. Further, she went on to do her Master's in Business Administration with a major in Social Enterprise Management from the Kellogg School of Management.

Her educational background has played a crucial role in shaping her strategic thinking and leadership capabilities in the corporate world.

Roshni Nadar - Career

Though she is the heiress of her dad’s empire, she didn’t take a direct leap into managing his business. Instead, before joining HCL Corp in 2009, she worked with Sky News UK and CNN America as a news producer.

At the age of 28, she then joined her family's business, HCL Technologies, where she quickly rose through the ranks. Starting as the CEO of HCL Corporation in 2009, she was deeply involved in making important business decisions. Her hard work and innovative ideas led to her becoming the Chairperson of HCL Technologies in 2020, making her one of the most powerful women in the tech industry.

Roshni Nadar - HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies, originally known as Hindustan Computers Limited found its inception in the minds of a few young colleagues at the Delhi Cloth Mills discussing their idea in the canteen. One among them was Shiv Nadar.

After deliberations, these young men quit their jobs in 1976 & thus with their collective contribution, the tech start-up HCL was born.

With little funding and a small staff at first, the business quickly expanded, specializing in manufacturing personal computers and being the inaugural company in India to introduce a range of IT goods.

Over the decades, HCL transitioned from hardware manufacturing to providing comprehensive IT services and software solutions. By the 1990s, it expanded its operations globally, offering software services, infrastructure management, and digital transformation solutions to clients worldwide.

Today, HCL Technologies is a leading global IT services company with a presence in over 50 countries, serving major industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. The company's growth story is marked by continuous innovation, strategic acquisitions, and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction, making it a formidable player in the global technology landscape.

HCL Enterprises: A Case Study | Growth | Subsidiaries

HCL Enterprises is an IT services company growing with its subsidiaries. Here is a case study on HCL Enterprise, history, growth, & Subsidiaries.

StartupTalkyRishita Jain

Roshni Nadar - Personal Life

Roshni Nadar is the only child of Shiv Nadar, founder of the IT giant HCL. She is married to Shikhar Malhotra, Vice-Chairman of HCL Healthcare and the couple has two sons — Armaan and Jahaan.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Roshni is a passionate philanthropist and environmental advocate. Her multifaceted role extends to various philanthropic initiatives, where she focuses on education, healthcare, and sustainable development. Roshni's commitment to social causes reflects her belief in inclusive growth and responsible leadership.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bloomberg Business (@bloombergbusiness)

Roshni Nadar - Awards and Recognitions

Roshni Nadar has numerous awards and recognitions to her name for her work both in business and philanthropy and for her will to make the world a better place.

• In 2014, Roshni Nadar won the NDTV Young Philanthropist of the Year Award.
• Roshni Nadar was conferred with the Lewis Institute Community Changemaker Award by Babson College in 2017.
• She was recognized as the ‘Indian Business Leader of the Year 2019 by a think tank called Horasis.
• She was featured among the ‘25 Most Powerful Businesswomen in Asia’ in 2020 by Forbes.
• She was also featured in ‘The World's 100 Most Powerful Women’ list, released by Forbes in 2022 for the 6th consecutive year.
• Fortune India recognized Roshni Nadar with the Most Powerful Women Award 2022.
• Roshni Nadar also won the Business Today Most Powerful Women in Business Award 2023.

Roshni Nadar - Interesting Facts

Some of the interesting facts abour Roshni are:

• Roshni is a trained classical musician.
• She produced a children’s film, Halkaa in 2018 which talks about a slum child’s dreams & aspirations.
• She has also been producing a TV series for Discovery/Animal Planet called ‘On the Brink’. This is based on the most endangered wildlife species in India.
• Roshni is an alumnus of the World Economic Forum's ‘Forum of Young Global Leaders (2014-19)’, a distinguished and varied group of the most talented young leaders in the world.

Roshni Nadar - Philanthropy

• Roshni Nadar is the trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation. This foundation was established in 1994. The Shiv Nadar Foundation focuses on creating a merit-based society by empowering individuals through transformational education.
• She also serves as the chairperson of VidyaGyan, a leadership academy for meritorious rural students in Uttar Pradesh.
• Being a wildlife and conservation enthusiast, Roshni founded The Habitats Trust in 2018. The Foundation works to create and conserve sustainable ecosystems through strategic partnerships and collaborations to safeguard India's natural habitats and indigenous species.

This is what she says about her passion for philanthropy:

“To me, giving is much, much more than just charity or signing a cheque. We make long-term investments in people’s lives, through education and arts. I’m in this because I get to be a part of someone else’s life, someone else’s journey of becoming what they have the potential to become.”

Roshni Nadar - Quotes

FAQs

Who is Roshni Nadar?

Roshni Nadar Malhotra is an Indian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist, serving as the chairperson of HCL Technologies. She is the first woman to lead a publicly traded IT company in India.

Where did Roshni Nadar work before joining HCL?

Before joining HCL Corp in 2009, Roshni worked with Sky News UK and CNN America as a news producer.

Who is Roshni Nadar's husband?

Roshni Nadar is married to Shikhar Malhotra, CEO of HCL Healthcare.