Shikha Sharma

Banker, CEO of Axis Bank

Net worth: Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million) a year

Ms Shikha Sharma is currently the CEO & Managing Director of India’s third largest private sector bank (in terms of total assets), the Axis Bank. Also, set up in 1994, Axis bank ranks fourth among other Indian private sector banks in terms of market capitalisation. Also, she is the Chairperson of Axis asset Management Company Limited.

Success Story of Shikha Sharma:

Ms Shikha Sharma joined ICICI India’s largest financial provider in the year 1980, right after completing her MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad. During her 28 years of association with the ICICI group, she set up many successful businesses. For instance, in the year 1992, she set up ICICI securities, which was a joint venture of JP Morgan and ICICI. Also, she helped ICICI group venture into the world of Investment banking and Retail finance. Thus, in the year 1995, she moved to ICICI securities, and was deputed to none other than JP Morgan himself.

In the year 1997, she re-joined ICICI as the General Manager in charge of Strategic planning and Development, and in 1998, she became the MD (Managing Director) of ICICI Personal Finance Services. Also, she served as the Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company till early 2009. During this time, she was also the Independent Director of ACC limited (Dec.2006 to May 2009). She has been serving as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) & Managing Director (MD) of Axis Bank limited since June 1, 2009. Also, she is the Chairperson and Associate Director of Axis Asset Management Company.

Shikha Sharma Achievements:

During Ms Sharma’s last year as the MD & CEO of ICICI prudential (2008), the company’s market share was at 13%, while its closest competitor was still at 9.4%. Since her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director if Axis Bank (2009), the bank’s stocks has gone up by phenomenal 90% and the bank’s assets have increased to USD 55 billion dollars, showing a growth of 30%.

Clearly, Shikha Sharma has carved a niche in this male dominated Insurance and Banking sector. Her commendable leadership skills have helped ICICI Prudential emerge out as India’s largest private insurance companies. She is a women entrepreneur who has left behind a legacy to be followed by millions of women aspirants.

Further, she was awarded the “Women Business Leader-2007” award by CNBC TV18 and was also chosen as the “Business Woman of the Year (2009) “by Economic Times. Also, she was ranked 89th in the "World’s 100 most powerful women (2010)” by Forbes Magazine.

AWARDS

· Transformational Business Leader of the Year’ at AIMA’s Managing India Awards – 2012

· Woman Leader of the year’ at Bloomberg - UTV Financial Leadership Awards – 2012

· Businessworld’s Banker of the Year Award - 2012

· Forbes List of Asia’s 50 Power Business Women - 2012

· Indian Express Most Powerful Indians – 2012