Board of Directors

Dr. Mahendra Mohan Gupta (81 years) is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Company and also holds the position of Editorial Director of Dainik Jagran. He has been associated with Jagran Prakashan Limited since its inception.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. Dr. Gupta has more than 60 years of experience in the print media industry.

He has held various key positions in the industry including being the Chairman of United News of India (“UNI”), President of The Indian Newspaper Society (“INS”), President of Indian Languages Newspaper Association (“ILNA”), Council Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations, Member of Press Council of India and Member of Film Censor Board of India, Member of the Board and Chairman of Press Trust of India (PTI) besides holding senior honorary positions in various social and cultural organisations. Dr. Gupta was a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from April, 2006 to April, 2012 and is presently member of Executive Committee of INS, the Board of PTI and is also Non-Executive Chairman / Director of Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited, holding company of the Company. In May, 2018, the Jharkhand Rai University, Ranchi has conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of his outstanding contribution to media leadership and public life. His work for the cause of society, Indian trade and industry in general and newspaper industry in particular has been recognised by various social, cultural and professional bodies in India.

Mr. Sanjay Gupta (59 years) is a Whole-time Director of the Company and also holds the position of Editor in Chief of Dainik Jagran. Mr. Gupta has been a Director of the Company since 1993.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science. He has around 40 years of experience in the print media industry. Mr. Gupta is a Director of Midday Infomedia Limited, MMI Online Limited and Member of Executive Committee of The Indian Newspaper Society. He is also the Chairman of Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Amritsar. He is also a Director of Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited, holding company of the Company.

Mr. Dhirendra Mohan Gupta (78 years) is a Whole-time Director of the Company. Mr. Gupta has been a Director of the Company since its inception. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts. He has more than 55 years of experience in the print media industry. He is also Director of Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited, holding company of the Company.

Mr. Sunil Gupta (60 years) is a Whole-time Director of the Company. Mr. Gupta has been a Director of the Company since 1993. He holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Commerce. Mr. Gupta has more than 35 years of experience in the print media industry. He is also a Director of Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited, holding company of the Company.

Mr. Shailesh Gupta (53 years) is a Whole-time Director of the Company. He has been a Director of JPL since 1994.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce. Mr. Gupta has more than 30 years of experience in the media industry. He has held various key positions in the industry including being the President of The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) and Chairman of Council of Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC). He is currently member of the Governing Board/ Council of INS and ABC, Vice Chairman of Media Research User’s Council (MRUC), Director of Music Broadcast Limited, Rave Real Estate Private Limited, MMI Online Limited and Midday Infomedia Limited. In December, 2017, The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) nominated Mr. Shailesh Gupta as INS Nominee on the Board of WAN-IFRA.

Mr. Sandeep Gupta, (aged 57 years) is a Director and Whole-time Director of the Company w.e.f. May 30, 2022. He has been associated with the Company for about 35 years in various capacities.

Mr. Sandeep Gupta holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Ohio University. Mr. Sandeep Gupta is Board member of WAN-IFRA-ASIA, Member of Entrepreneur’s Organization UP Chapter and is also Council Member of Merchants Chamber of Uttar Pradesh

Mr. Devendra Mohan Gupta (72 years) is a Non-Executive Director of the Company. Mr. Gupta has been a Director of the Company since September 04, 2008.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical). Mr. Gupta has a vast experience in handling Product Design, Research & Development, Production, Purchase & Sales (Domestic & Overseas). He is pioneer in introducing D.C. Micro Motors technology in the country and Indian Standard Institution (I.S.I.) took Mr. Gupta on its Panel in the year 1979 for D.C. Micro Motors. Mr. Gupta has helped I.S.I. in formulating the specifications for D.C. Micro Motors & bringing out its first Standard IS: 9670 in the year 1980. He is the Managing Director of Jagmini Micro Knit Private Limited, and a Director of Jagran Micro Motors Limited and Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited, holding company of the Company He is the recipient of Export Award of Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council (sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India), New Delhi for the year 1995-96 from Hon’ble Minister of Commerce.

Mr. Shailendra Mohan Gupta (71 years) is a Non-Executive Director of the Company. He has been a Director of the Company since September 04, 2008.

Mr. Shailendra Mohan Gupta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science. He has over 40 years of experience in administration, sales and marketing fields in Sugar, Alcohol and Electronics industries. He was a Joint Managing Director of Jagran Micro Motors Limited and Managing Director of Shakumbari Sugar & Allied Industries Limited. He is also the Director of Jagran Media Network Investment Private Limited, holding company of the Company, Jagran Micro Motors Limited and Om Multimedia Private Limited.

Mr. Satish Chandra Mishra (59 years) is a Whole-time Director of the Company. Mr. Mishra has been a Director of the Company since October 30, 2013.

Mr. Mishra completed his B.E. (Electronics) in 1983, P.G. Diploma in Human Resource Management and MBA (Major-Marketing Management, Minor-Operations Management). He has over 35 years of experience in Newspaper industry. Mr. Mishra is also the Occupier under Factories Act, 1948 for the printing centres of the Company.

Mr. Anuj Puri (56 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Puri has been a Director of the Company since January 31, 2013.

Mr. Puri is Group Chairman of ANAROCK Group and is widely acknowledged for revolutionizing the real estate sector with his visionary outlook and tech-driven solutions. He has been the trusted advisor to developers, occupiers, and investors for decades. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, is an Associate of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Associate of Chartered Insurance Institute -UK, Associate of Insurance Institute of Surveyors & Adjusters (India), and an Associate of Insurance Institute of India. Until February 2017, he was Chairman & Country Head of international property consultants - JLL India overseeing a team of over 9000 employees in 11 cities. He was also a key member of JLL’s Asia Pacific Leadership Group and Head of its Global Retail Leasing Board. Mr. Puri had set up ANAROCK in 2017 which is now India’s leading independent real estate consulting services Company with 13 offices in India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and an employee strength of 1800+. Under his leadership, ANAROCK has added Residential Broking & Technology, Retail(in partnership with Vindico- UAE headquartered retail real estate specialist in tenant coordination and design review services), Commercial, Investment Banking, Hospitality (in partnership with HVS- a global leader in hospitality consulting & transaction advisory), Land Services, Industrial and Logistics (in partnership with Binswanger- US-headquartered industrial advisory & brokerage firm), Investment Management, Research, Strategic Advisory & Valuations, and Project Management Services (in partnership with Mace- UK headquartered project management and construction specialist), Flexi Spaces(in partnership with myHQ & Upflex) and Society Management Services(acquisition of ApnaComplex) and is aggressively expanding to newer geographies and real estate business verticals.

He has held various key positions in the real estate industry including MoHUA- Urban Expert Committee, Member of the Advisory Committee of Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry & Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (MCHI-CREDAI), Member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Member of Construction Week India National Advisory Board, Member of Hotelier India Magazine’s Advisory Board and Advisory Board Member of CREDAI MCHI Forum for Real Estate Marketing Experience & Innovations. He is also Fellow Member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, UK - FRICS.

Mr. Dilip Cherian (66 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Cherian has been a Director of the Company since January 31, 2013.

He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics and has been a Chevening Fellow at the London School of Economics. Mr. Cherian is Founder & Consulting Partner of Perfect Relations, South Asia’s leading image management consultancy. He advises CEOs on Communications, Crisis and Public Affairs. Among Mr. Cherian’s other affiliations have included serving on the Governing Board of Advertising Standards Council of India and the Governing Council of the NID. Mr. Cherian has also spent time on the Apex Committee of Shareholder Grievance of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Mr. Cherian serves on the Boards of a number of companies and Social Organisations.

Mr. Shashidhar Sinha (64 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Sinha has been a Director of the Company since September 04, 2008.

Mr. Sinha is CEO – India, Mediabrands, manages the second largest Media Agency Group that includes Lodestar UM, Initiative Media, Interactive Avenues, Mediabrands, Reprise, Rapport, Kinesso India, Orion, and Magna Global in India. The group manages approximately 20% of the overall media spend in the country and is widely recognised for its strategic approach to media solutions across a wide portfolio of over 100 blue chip clients such as – Samsung, Amazon, Amul, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Sinha is also actively involved in various industry bodies such as the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), past Chairman of Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), and past president of The Ad Club. He is the Chairman of the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC) and of Media Research Users Council (MRUC). Mr. Sinha is also an honorable member of the prestigious Facebook India Client Council. He is an alumni of IIT Kanpur and IIM Bangalore where he was recently conferred the “Most Distinguished Alumni Award”. An industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, where he has built a highly awarded team of professionals and organisations that today form the country’s leading media network.

Mr. Vijay Tandon (78 years) is an Independent Director of the Company since November 18, 2005.

Mr. Tandon is a Chartered Accountant and fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Qualifying in 1969, Mr. Tandon was associated with Thakur Vaidyanath Aiyar & Co., a leading firm of Chartered Accountants in New Delhi and was a partner of the firm between 1977 and 1999. As a chartered accountant and financial management consultant, with over 46 years of professional experience in various capacities, he has been associated with number of private and public sector companies and banks in the capacity of auditor. Mr. Tandon has extensive knowledge of the corporate laws and was heading the Corporate Division of the firm. Mr. Tandon has been associated with print media industry in various capacities, as publisher auditor, auditor representing the Audit Bureau of Circulations and as Director of the National Herald Group of publication. As a management consultant, Mr. Tandon has been associated with a number of consulting services in diverse sectors of economy, industry and public utilities funded by the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the UK Department of International Development and others, in India as well as in South & Central Asia. Between 2000-2015, Mr. Tandon was Principal Consultant/Director India with GHK Consulting Limited (now ICF Consulting Group) a UK-based development consultants. Presently, Mr. Tandon is an advisor on Urban Governance and Management and is also an Independent Director and Chairman of Music Broadcast Limited, a listed subsidiary of the Company.

Mr. Jayant Davar (61 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Davar has been a Director of the Company since September 30, 2014.

He holds degree of Mechanical Engineer and is also an alumni of Harvard Business School and has been conferred with the distinguished alumnus award by his engineering college. He is the founder, Co-Chairman & Managing Director of Sandhar Technologies Limited. The Company manufactures a diverse range of automotive components. He was the President of Automotive Skills Development Council, Govt. of India, Governing Council Member – Innovation Council, Govt. of Haryana, Governing Council Member – National Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP), Govt. of India, Executive Committee Trustee- Raman Munjal Vidya Mandir and Founder Trustee of Sandhar Foundation. He is also Past President of ACMA & Past Chairman of CII Northern Region and is also a member of Advisory Committee of Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Germany. He was also a nominated member of the Governing Council VLFM Program, National Committee for Public Policy and Affirmative Action & Trade Fairs. Presently, he is on the Boards of several reputed companies, Training Institutions and Non-Government (social) organisations.

Mr. Ravi Sardana (56 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Sardana has been a Director of the Company since September 30, 2014. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Chevening Scholar. He has over three decades of experience in investment banking and corporate finance and has contributed to more than two hundred successful transactions. He is the past Executive Vice President in ICICI Securities Limited. Mr. Sardana is presently a Consultant with Ebner Stolz, an accounting and management consulting firm as part of their India desk.

Mr. Sardana has worked extensively in the media sector advising companies on advisory and fund-raising assignments.

Mr. Vikram Sakhuja (60 years) is an engineer from IIT Delhi and MBA from IIM Calcutta. Mr. Sakhuja has been a Director of the Company since April 15, 2016.

Mr. Sakhuja joined Procter & Gamble in 1988 and held positions in Marketing Research and Media over a period of 8 years. He then joined Coca-Cola where in over 5 years he went on to manage the brand marketing portfolio. Mr. Sakhuja spent a year with the Star TV Network (Newscorp) setting up their marketing department as the Executive VP Marketing for India. From 2002 onwards he was with GroupM. He began his association as the Managing Director of MindShare Fulcrum, went on to become the Managing Director of MindShare South Asia and then he was the CEO of GroupM South Asia for 7 years. Thereafter, he took up global role of world-wide CEO for Maxus for two years, following which he was GroupM’s Global Strategic Development Officer, with a remit of driving data and technology deeper into the Media practice. Since 2016, he has partnered with Mr. Sam Balsara and is the Group CEO of Madison Media and OOH. Mr. Sakhuja has served on several industry body boards/ committees including ASCI, ABC, RSCI, BARC, AAAI committees with ISA, INS and IBF, and is currently Head of IRS Tech Comm, MRUC Board member, ABC Board member, BARC Disciplinary committee member, CO-chair of IBF-AAAI subcommittee on payments and Ad Club ManCom member. He has consistently been voted one of the top most influential persons in Indian Media by the Economic Times.

Mr. Shailendra Swarup (77 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Mr. Swarup has been a Director of the Company since September 27, 2019.

Mr. Swarup holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and is also a law graduate. He is a Corporate Lawyer and has also been practicing as an Advocate in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court for about 55 years. Mr. Shailendra Swarup is a Director of JK Paper Ltd., Bengal & Assam Company Ltd., Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd., The India Thermit Corporation Ltd., Vis Legis Consult Pvt. Ltd., Subros Limited, Sterling Tools Limited, Kangaroo Properties Pvt. Ltd. and Dev Valley Devcon Pvt. Ltd. He is also Member of the Audit Committee of Gujarat Flurochemicals Ltd. The India Thermit Corporation Ltd., and Sterling Tools Limited. He is also a Director of Xfinite Global PLC,. Mr. Swarup was a Member of the Task Force on Corporate Governance constituted by the Confederation of Indian Industry. He was a member of Ganguly Committee constituted by the Reserve Bank of India in the year 2002 on Corporate Governance of public sector Banks and financial institution with particular emphasis on role of Independent Directors.

Ms. Divya Karani (55 years) is an Independent Director of the Company. Ms. Karani was appointed as an Independent Director of the Company w.e.f. November 13, 2019.

Ms. Karani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics; Sydenham College, Mumbai. Ms. Karani is the CEO of Dentsu Advertising and Media Services India Private Limited and has over 3 decades of experience with Agency, Marketer and Media organizations, in South East Asia, London & Asia Pacific. She has won and successfully run media mandates, for large Indian and global clients. She has worked at agencies like Trikaya Grey, O&M, MediaCom, Bates Asia, Media Edge (TME), and MEC (Singapore). In her stints as a marketer, she joined the Reliance ADA Group as media advisor to the chairman’s office, and moved to Hindustan Times Media in 2009 as business head – West. Prior to joining Dentsu India, Ms. Karani was an independent consultant advising and consulting marketers, media agencies and owners in the media business.

Ms. Karani is also an active participant in the larger media industry. Serving on the Jagran Prakashan Board since 2019, Ms. Karani has just accepted the role of National President, Brand & Marketing, Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She has also played the role of championing Radio as Chairperson, MRUC Radio Committee and served on Media Research Users Council Board 2014-2017& 2006-2010. She has been a Judge on International News Media Association-INMA Global Awards and Jury member for Cannes Media Lion.