ANISH SHAH NAMED CEO OF THE YEAR

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of Mahindra Group, has been honoured as ‘CEO of the Year’ at the Forbes India Leadership Awards 2026. The accolade recognises his transformative leadership, purpose-driven strategy, and the collective achievements of Mahindra’s global workforce across industries and markets.

In a moment that underscores both individual leadership and collective ambition, Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, has been named ‘CEO of the Year’ at the Forbes India Leadership Awards 2026. The recognition highlights not only Shah’s strategic vision but also the sustained performance and cultural transformation of one of India’s most diversified global conglomerates.

The award comes at a time when the Mahindra Group, with over 300,000 employees spread across more than 100 countries and 20 industries, is witnessing a period of renewed momentum. Under Shah’s stewardship, the group has pursued a clear agenda: aligning purpose with performance while building technological leadership across its businesses. The result has been a striking resurgence in value creation, exemplified by a twelvefold increase in the market capitalisation of Mahindra & Mahindra between April 2020 and July 2025.

For Shah, the philosophy that “purpose drives profits” is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle. As custodian of Mahindra’s ‘Rise’ philosophy, he has consistently emphasised the role of business in creating positive social impact. This has translated into initiatives that prioritise sustainability, climate responsibility and women’s empowerment, areas in which the group has sought to position itself as an industry leader. His leadership reflects a broader shift in corporate India, where profitability is increasingly intertwined with social accountability.

Before taking the helm at Mahindra, Shah built a formidable career across global financial institutions. His tenure at General Electric, spanning 14 years, saw him occupy several leadership roles in both the United States and international markets. As President and CEO of GE Capital India from 2009 to 2014, he led a significant turnaround of the business, including the transformation of its SBI Card joint venture. His earlier roles at Bank of America, Bain & Company in Boston, and Citibank in Mumbai provided a diverse foundation in finance, consulting and operations.

Beyond corporate leadership, Shah has played an influential role in shaping industry and policy discourse in India and beyond. As President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry in 2024, he contributed to advancing dialogue between industry and government, focusing on economic growth and policy innovation. His involvement extends to global platforms as well, including co-chairing the India-Australia CEO Forum and the India Alliance of CEOs for Climate Change, and participating in the Executive Committee of the International Business Council at the World Economic Forum.

Shah’s engagement with policy-making bodies such as the NITI Frontier Tech Hub Expert Council for AI reflects his interest in emerging technologies and their potential to shape India’s economic future. His previous roles, including chairing the Automotive Governors Council at the World Economic Forum and serving on the UK Investment Council, further underline his global outlook and influence.

The ‘CEO of the Year’ honour adds to a growing list of accolades. In 2024, the Mahindra Group was named ‘Company of the Year’ by Economic Times, while Shah himself was recognised as Entrepreneurial CEO at EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. In 2023, he was featured as one of Fortune India’s Best CEOs, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most effective business leaders.

Academically, Shah’s credentials are equally distinguished. He holds a Ph.D. from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. These foundations have informed a leadership style that blends analytical rigour with a deep commitment to purpose.

As the Mahindra Group continues to expand its footprint across sectors ranging from automotive and farm equipment to technology and renewable energy, Shah’s recognition at the Forbes India Leadership Awards serves as both a milestone and a signal. It reflects a leadership approach attuned to the complexities of a rapidly changing world—one that seeks to balance growth with responsibility, innovation with inclusion, and ambition with impact.