From being a shy backroom strategist to an emerging business tycoon, Nisaba (Nisa) Godrej, the ‘media-shy and reserved’ younger daughter of Godrej Group chairman Adi Godrej and late Parameswar Godrej, has come a long way.
Last week the 38-year-old took the plunge by agreeing to lead Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), the group’s biggest company by market cap (₹64,988 crore), for the next round of growth.
With this, the succession planning at the over $4 billion Godrej Group seems to be falling in place.
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On May 9 GCPL appointed Ms. Godrej as executive chairperson, indicating that she is now ready for a bigger role. Ms. Godrej took over the new role the very next day to be at the helm.
Dubai meeting
Just three days into the hot seat, she flew down to Dubai to address over 700 executives of the company who were congregating at the Middle Eastern city to brainstorm on the company’s next phase of growth.
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“Nisa is set to be one of India’s prominent business tycoons,” said a person who has worked with her. “She is an extremely brilliant girl and capable. She may be a reserved person but she has managed to build a strong talent base through her core circle.”
“Like her mother, she is very sharp and has an expertise in design. Under Nisa GCPL will embark on aggressive growth strategy,” the person said.
Pirojsha Godrej, her brother and executive chairman Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL) said, “I am sure she will be an outstanding chairperson that builds on the amazing work she and the rest of the GCPL team have already put in place.”
Ms. Godrej has been a key architect of GCPL’s strategy and its transformation over the last decade.
Under her leadership, GCPL has developed a strong, engaged and ambitious team. She has also institutionalised design-driven thinking at the company.
Wharton School
A BSc from the Wharton School and an MBA from Harvard Business School, she is credited for the turnaround of Godrej Agrovet.
Adi Godrej in a statement said, “ Over the last decade, I have worked closely with her and seen her deliver tremendous results. She is an inspiring leader who will always uphold our values.”
Jyorden Misra, MD, Spearhead InterSearch, said: “The succession planning at Godrej Group is the outcome of a well thought out process.”
“So far they have managed it very smoothly and Indian family businesses should learn from this exercise. Besides, the Godrej Group is known for creating a dignified professional ecosystem where professionals work closely with the promoters in a dignified and respectful manner. This unique combination of the strength of a family member and good professional management will make all the difference,” Mr. Misra added.
Gradual retirement
Mr. Godrej, upon turning 75 is gradually retiring from executive roles of group companies and his children have been given full freedom to shape their own destiny as well as that of the companies they have been assigned to lead. At GCPL he has been named Chairman Emeritus and will have an advisory role.
When contacted to elaborate on the succession issue Mr, Godrej declined to comment.
In February, the leadership role at Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL), the real estate arm was assigned to Pirojsha Godrej, the youngest child of Mr. Godrej. Pirojsha is now Executive Chairman of GPL.
Now all eyes are on Godrej Industries which will select a leader shortly. It will either go to Mr. Godrej’s brother Nadir Godrej or his eldest daughter Tanya Dubash.