Summary

Sanjiv Bajaj, born on November 2, 1969, is an Indian billionaire businessman and the chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finserv, one of India's top financial services companies. As a fourth-generation member of the illustrious Bajaj family, Sanjiv has played a pivotal role in reshaping the business portfolio of the Bajaj Group and steering Bajaj Finserv to leadership in insurance, lending and wealth management. His leadership style has strengthened the company's position in the market.

Sanjiv Bajaj was born to the Bajaj family, whose name was as synonymous with India's industrialisation. He is the great-grandson of Jamnalal Bajaj, the founder of the Bajaj Group, and younger son of Rahul Bajaj, the former chairman of the Bajaj Group.

He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pune and a master's degree in manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Warwick, UK. He earned a management degree from Harvard Business School and is proficient in leading in a global business environment.

Personal Information

Achievements and Major Timelines:

• 2008: He played a key role in the demerger of Bajaj Auto, leading to the formation of Bajaj Finserv. He was appointed managing director of Bajaj Finserv.
• 2012: He took on additional roles as managing director of Bajaj Holdings & Investment, chairman of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and vice chairman of Bajaj Finance.
• 2015: Market analysts compared Bajaj Finserv’s growth trajectory to GE Capital, highlighting its rapid expansion and diversification.
• 2015–16: Bajaj was given the Bombay Management Association's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
• 2016: He was recognised as one of India's Most Valuable CEOs by Business World.
• 2017: He received the Transformational Leader Award (Large-Cap Category) at the Asian Centre’s Leadership, Corporate Governance, Sustainability & CSR Awards.
• 2017: He was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
• 2018–19: He served as deputy chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) West Council Region.
• 2018: He was honoured with the Economic Times Business Leader of the Year Award.
• 2019–20: He was elected chairman of the CII Western Region.
• 2019: He received the All India Management Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
• 2019: He was recognised as the Financial Express Banker of the Year.
• 2022–23: He served as CII president.
• 2023: He led the launch of Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund, marking the company’s entry into the asset management space.
• 2023: He was appointed as a participant in the B20 India Secretariat, contributing to the business agenda during India’s G20 presidency.

Challenges and Controversies

In January 2022, a hacker threatened him and his company's senior management, highlighting the growing menace of cybersecurity threats in the financial services sector. Despite that, Bajaj has remained firm on innovation and customer orientation.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

Through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the Bajaj Group, he has worked on education, healthcare and rural development. He is also highly vocal about CSR, ensuring that Bajaj Finserv contributes to the society in which it does business.