Board of Directors

In his little more than three decades at Kotak Mahindra Group, D Kannan has spearheaded various businesses. In 1991, he joined Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. as Assistant Manager. Thereafter, he was elevated to Vice President - Field Operation, Ford Credit Kotak Mahindra Ltd. with the responsibility of its Sales & Marketing functions.

Kannan moved to Kotak Securities Ltd in 2000. He set up kotaksecurities.com - the online trading and stock market advisory platform of the retail brokerage business. Prior to taking charge of the Commercial Banking business, Kannan was Managing Director (MD), Kotak Securities Ltd. Prior to his elevation as MD of Kotak Securities, he was the company’s Executive Director.

Kannan was heading one of the Strategic Business Units (SBU) of Kotak Mahindra Bank - the Commercial Banking business from August 2014 to July 2022. Kannan was part of the Bank’s Group Management Council that drives and oversees Kotak Mahindra Group’s growth charter.

Manish has been with Kotak Mahindra Bank for close to 3 decades & has been a part of Kotak Leadership Team (KLT) for the last 15 years. He took charge as the President & Head - Commercial Banking in August 2022 and he currently heads a 11,000+ strong team across India covering multiple segments, viz., Agri Business – MSME & Corporates, Rural – Tractor & Crop Loans, Logistics and Infra – CV, CE Loans and Working Capital, Inclusion – Microcredit and Gold Loans.

Prior to this role, Manish led the Corporate Banking business of the Bank where he played a key role in setting up the Bank’s franchise in all customer segments of Corporate Banking, viz., Conglomerates, Large Corporates, Mid Corporates, SMEs, E-Commerce/Start-ups (New Age Cos.), Credit Light Corporates and Supply Chain of Corporates.

He is a metallurgical engineering graduate from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur where he topped the University. He has completed his PGDBM from XLRI, Jamshedpur, specializing in both Finance & Marketing.

Tapobrat Chaudhuri heads the Microfinance business of Kotak Mahindra Bank and has an experience of more than 2 decades in banking. He joined the Kotak group in 2005 in the Agri Business Group of the Bank and has worked in various roles before becoming the National Sales Manager in Corporate Agri Business. In this role he has handled & nurtured marquee relationships of companies in the Food & Agri sector. As a natural expansion of Kotak Bank’s operations into the rural & semi-urban economy he built deep relationships with microfinance companies & NBFCs.

In his current role, his core responsibility is to strengthen & expand the retail microfinance franchise of Kotak with an objective of fostering financial inclusion while at the same time building a scalable and profitable business. He has tested skills of building, coordinating and leading teams. He is an ardent believer in the transformational role of technology in exponentially scaling up operations. He has actively worked with MFIN in various policy matters related to microfinance and was on MFIN’s task force on drafting of the Code of Responsible Lending.

Tapobrat started his career as a probationary officer in the State Bank of India group and also had a stint with Axis Bank before joining the Kotak group. He is a science graduate and a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).

S Kumar, a Chartered Accountant by profession and Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers, has more than 33 years of experience in the Financial Sector, including 19 years in the Banking Industry. Prior to this role, Kumar Held position as Deputy General Manager of Vijaya Bank, Assistant General Manager of Syndicate Bank and Head of Finance of Bahraini Saudi Bank. Kumar had worked in several departments of the banks including Finance, Accounts, Credit Administration, ALM & Risk Management, Inspection & Audit, Planning and Funds Management & Treasury.

Sankaranarayanan Kumar joined BSS Microfinance Limited as a member of Strategic Management Team (SMT) in September 2010.

Shwetha Kalappa is a Talent Engagement Champion with over two decades of expertise in balancing strategic intent with operational excellence. She has extensive experience in the BFSI sector having lead the integration of people, process and technology of HR in two of the biggest mergers in the industry. Has led the various facets of HR as COE, Business Partner and Shared Services. Adept at leading global projects, currently lead the employee experience, and HR digital transformation journey across Kotak Mahindra Bank.

As HR Automation Head - oversee the strategy and implementation of all IT transformation projects in HR. - Worklife App, K Applaud & Eureka are some properties launched and had 80% adoption within 3 months.

As Employee Engagement Head several programs launched as flagship programs – Young Leader Council, Health & Wellness-Fitness Allowance. Kotakathon to engage employees deliver innovative solutions to enhance customer experience, Infinity Awards, Foundation Day event saw 25000 in audience in a virtual event. Wellness & Covid Support programs across group.

Led the HR process, policy and people integration from ING during merger with Kotak.