Kalpana Morparia

Kalpana Morparia is a banker with a career of more than four decades in Indian finance. She was named for the Padma Shri in 2024 in the field of trade and industry, from Maharashtra ^[1].

ICICI

She was born on 30 May 1949 and studied science and law at the University of Mumbai ^[2]. At ICICI she rose from legal associate to joint managing director ^[2]. She set up its treasury, handled relations with regulators and investors, worked on the resolution of distressed assets including the Dabhol Power Company, and was the group’s chief spokesperson ^[2]. She also played a key part in the merger that created ICICI Bank ^[2].

J.P. Morgan

She later became chief executive of J.P. Morgan in India, with her role later extended to oversee South-East Asian countries ^[2]. She has also served on the boards of companies such as Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hindustan Unilever and HSBC Holdings ^[2].

Public service

Morparia has served on government committees on company law, corporate governance and limited liability partnerships, and on the audit advisory board of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India ^[2]. She also sits on the boards of organisations working on education and skills ^[2].

Forbes named her one of the world’s 100 most powerful women in 2006, and Fortune listed her among the most powerful women in international business in 2008 ^[2].