Siraj A. Chaudhry, 56, holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and is B. Com (Hons) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi.
He is in Business for 35 years of which 20 years in leadership roles building, turning around, acquiring, divesting businesses in Agriculture and Food space. He has Exceptional people leadership traits with ability to recognize and groom talent. Strong internal and external stakeholder management with ability to navigate operating landscape in India and abroad. He is an industry expert, thought leader, innovator and a leading voice in the agriculture and food industry. He has worked extensively with industry, the social sector, and the Government on transformational and numerous nation-building projects.
Siraj is presently Country Chairman, SATS India. Until recently he was Non-Executive Director and Chairman of National Commodity Management Ltd., (NCML) prior to which as the MD & CEO of NCML, he was successful in leading the organization through transformation journey, greater diversification and expansion of company footprint across the country as a trusted and preferred Agri Supply chain and solutions partner.
Siraj was the Chairman of Cargill India (2008-2018), the Indian arm of Cargill Inc., where he led the build and expansion of Cargill's Food Business in India. Under his leadership, Cargill's Food Business became 5,000 Cr. entity in edible oils, flour, corn products, and food ingredients. He was instrumental in transforming a traditional B2B business into an FMCG company of repute. He is credited with pioneering edible oil fortification as a practice, recognized by Fortune Magazine as a Change the World activity.
Siraj serves as an Independent Director on the Boards of, Air India SATS, Tata Consumers Products Ltd., Tata Coffee Ltd., Dhanuka Agritech, Jubilant Ingrevia Ltd., Carrier Air Conditioning and Refrigeration India and Bikaji Foods International, Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd. He has, in the past, been an Independent Director on the Board of IndusInd Bank.
In his advisory capacity he has been a member of CDC Group's (now British International Investment) Food & Agriculture Advisory Council and a member of non-statutory Advisory Council of ABInBev, India.
Siraj has been actively involved with various trade bodies and Industry associations. He has served as the Chair of the National Committee on Food Processing at FICCI and also Co-Chair of the National Committee for Agriculture at FICCI.
In the past, he has served as the President of the Food Industry Skill Council under the NSDC and also as Chairman of National Alliance for Edible Oil Fortification, a joint initiative by CII and GAIN to address malnutrition through food fortification. He has chaired the Agriculture and Food Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce and the Agriculture and Food Committee of USIBC in India.
He has been actively involved in the social sector and has been a founding member of United Way, Delhi and India Foodbank. Recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including Pride of Uttar Pradesh by Lucknow Management Association and Pioneer for Edible Oil Fortification by FSSAI, Siraj is a sought-after voice in national and international media on Agriculture and Food issues.