Bengaluru alumni event: The future of evolving Indian leadership in a fast changing world

Explore how Indian leaders can navigate a fast-changing world with alumni panellists Harish Bhat, Jayanti Bhattacharya and Nikhil Hegde.

Register for our Bengaluru alumni event.

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking alumni event in Bengaluru on Saturday 7 March 2026, featuring an alumni panel with Harish Bhat (Management, 1997), Jayanti Bhattacharya (MA Advertising and Marketing, 2002) and Nikhil Hegde (MBA Business Administration, 2014). This discussion will explore the future challenges confronting Indian leaders and discuss how leadership culture in India needs to evolve to respond effectively in an increasingly complex global environment.

Hosted by Masoud Golshan-Shirazi, Associate Professor in Global Leadership, who combines academic insight with over 40 years of global business experience. Masoud has held senior leadership roles across multiple industries - including energy, telecom, banking, FMCG, retail, and manufacturing - in companies such as Coca-Cola, Vodafone, BT & EE, and Ericsson. He has also founded his own business, managed large-scale transformations, and continues to work as a business consultant, bringing a current practitioner’s perspective on leadership.

The session will offer an interactive and reflective conversation on leadership in the Indian context. Together with Harish, Jayanti and Nikhil, Masoud will delve into emerging economic, social, and organisational challenges, considering how values, mindsets, and leadership practices need to adapt to drive sustainable success.

The discussion will be followed by networking and refreshments, offering the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and Leeds University Business School offer holders, share memories of Leeds, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations and business opportunities in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You will also have the opportunity to network with Catherine Thristan, Director of External Engagement (Partnerships and Executive Education), during the event.

Event Schedule
19:30 - Registration
20:00 - The future of evolving Indian leadership in a fast changing world
21:00 - Networking and Refreshments
22:00 – Close

There is a £5 charge (£6.13 with Eventbrite fees), around 654 INR for the event. Every ticket helps fund initiatives that enhance student opportunities at the Business School. 

Event places are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is open to Leeds University Business School alumni only.

If you would like any more information about the event or have any questions, please contact the Leeds University Business School Alumni Team (alumni@lubs.leeds.ac.uk).

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights, expand your professional network, and reconnect with the Business School alumni community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet the panel

Harish Bhat
Management, 1997
Harish Bhat’s biography is coming soon.

Jayanti Bhattacharya
MA Advertising and Marketing, 2002
Jayanti Bhattacharya is an alumna of Leeds Business School, where she graduated with distinction. During her time at Leeds, Jayanti was also elected Business School Representative from 2001 to 2002.

After graduating, she began her career with Ogilvy & Mather in Bangalore, India, building a strong foundation in brand and communications.

Jayanti went on to found India Hemp and Co, which grew to become one of India’s most recognised brands in the hemp space. She also pitched her venture on Shark Tank India – Season 1, bringing mainstream attention to the category.

After six years as a founder, Jayanti transitioned to the fintech space, joining Zerodha and Rainmatter. At Zerodha, she leads In Her Interest, an initiative focused on helping women better understand and engage with personal finance. At Rainmatter, she is part of the core team behind peakst8 (peak-state), India’s first large-format health and wellness festival.

Nikhil Hegde
MBA Business Administration 2014
Nikhil Hegde is the Co-Founder and CEO of 6Degree, a fashion commerce and retail management platform founded in 2015. With a vision to democratize the fashion & lifestyle industry, he leads the company in providing retail & lifestyle brands with access to national and international markets through a specialized ecosystem.

Nikhil holds an MBA from the University of Leeds, specialising in entrepreneurship. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey with 6Degree, he built a robust professional background with over a decade of rich experience in product  consulting and the telecommunications industry. His previous roles include positions at major organizations such as KPMG, Airtel, Tata Teleservices, and Subex.

Under his leadership, 6Degree has grown into a niche platform that supports hundreds of fashion brands, integrating technology with retail to help local talent scale into global names. He is recognized in the startup ecosystem for his expertise in business strategy, fashion tech, and market expansion.