In a major leadership shift billionaire Shiv Nadar has transferred 47% of his shares in HCL Corporation and Vama Delhi , the two promoter entities of HCL Technologies to his 42-year-old daughter, Roshni Nadar Malhotra. This move has made her the largest individual shareholder of HCL, one of India’s leading IT giants. The transfer marks a power transition in one of India’s most valuable business empires, placing Roshni at the helm of HCL’s future. But who exactly is Roshni Nadar Malhotra, and how did she rise to become India’s richest woman?
How She Gained Control Over HCL
Before the transfer, Shiv Nadar held 51% stake in HCL Corporation and Vama Delhi, while Roshni held only 10.33% in each. With her father now transferring 47% of his shares, Roshni has gained voting control over 44.34% of HCL Technologies and dominant control over HCL Infosystems. This solidifies her position as the key decision-maker in the group. The transition signifies not only a generational shift in leadership but also makes Roshni the richest woman in India, with an estimated net worth of $42 billion as of October 2024, according to Forbes.
Who is Roshni Nadar Malhotra?
Born in 1982 in Delhi, Roshni Nadar is the only child of Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Technologies. Her early career was far from business she graduated in Communication with a focus on Radio/TV/Film from Northwestern University and later earned an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.
She initially worked as a producer in the media industry but eventually joined HCL Corporation in 2009. In less than a year, she was promoted to Executive Director and CEO of HCL Corporation, surprising many who underestimated her corporate instincts.
By 2020, Shiv Nadar stepped down as Chairperson of HCL Technologies, handing over the reins to Roshni, making her the first woman to lead a listed IT company in India.
Beyond Business
Despite her deep involvement in business, Roshni’s passion lies in philanthropy. She heads the Shiv Nadar Foundation, which runs VidyaGyan Leadership Academy an educational institution for economically underprivileged children. She also founded The Habitats Trust, dedicated to protecting India’s natural habitats and wildlife.
Her impact also extends to storytelling for social change. In 2018, she produced a children’s film titled Halkaa, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda. The film captured the journey of a slum child tackling the challenge of open defecation. Later, in 2019, she began producing a TV series called On The Brink for Animal Planet/Discovery, focusing on India’s most endangered wildlife species. The show’s 2022 episode on Bats went on to win the Best Indian National Film Award in the Science & Technology category.
Her influence stretches far beyond boardrooms. Whether it’s through education, wildlife conservation, or impactful storytelling, Roshni Nadar Malhotra continues to drive meaningful change in India.
What Lies Ahead for HCL
With Roshni Nadar Malhotra now holding majority control in HCL Technologies, she is expected to steer the company into new territories of innovation, sustainability, and growth. Industry experts believe her leadership style will focus heavily on social responsibility and tech-driven impact.
In a business world still heavily dominated by men, Roshni has redefined the meaning of inherited power. She didn’t just inherit her father’s empire but earned her influence through calculated leadership and strategic vision.
As she now stands as India’s richest woman and a global business leader, it’s clear — Roshni Nadar Malhotra’s reign has only just begun.
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