Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has been appointed as Senior Advisor to Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. A distinguished 1980 batch retired IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, Kant brings over four decades of influential public service experience to his new role.
Kant’s career is marked by his leadership in driving large-scale transformative initiatives across India. His deep expertise in economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth is expected to significantly enhance Fairfax’s long-term investment strategy in India. His insights into policy and development, coupled with his ability to execute complex reforms, position him as a valuable asset for Fairfax as it expands its footprint in the region.
During India’s G20 presidency, Kant played a central role in shaping the historic New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, which emphasized key areas such as digital public infrastructure, climate finance, and multilateral reform. He is widely recognized for his capacity to unify diverse stakeholders around shared national development objectives.
As CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant was the architect of the Aspirational Districts Programme, a landmark initiative aimed at uplifting India’s most disadvantaged regions. His earlier tenure as Secretary of DPIIT saw him spearhead major economic reforms, including the Make in India and Startup India campaigns. These efforts were instrumental in improving India’s Ease of Doing Business ranking by 79 positions.
Kant’s visionary leadership was also evident in his promotion of Indian tourism through the globally acclaimed ‘Incredible India’ campaign, which showcased his ability to blend cultural identity with economic opportunity.
With his appointment, Fairfax Financial Holdings gains not only a strategic advisor but a seasoned nation-builder whose experience is expected to drive impactful investment decisions across India’s dynamic economic landscape.
