Leadership Team

DR. ABHAY FIRODIA

Dr. Abhay N. Firodia is a prominent industrialist and a key figure in the Indian automobile industry. He is the Chairman of Force Motors Limited- India’s largest manufacturer of vans and a fully integrated automobile company specializing in the design, development and production of vehicles, aggregates and critical automotive components. With over 10,000 employees, five manufacturing plants across India and a cutting-edge R&D centre in Pune, Force Motors is a key player in both domestic and international markets.

Continuing the legacy of his late father, Shri Navalmal Kundanmal Firodia, who was a freedom fighter, industrialist and philanthropist, Dr. Firodia is the Group Chairman of the Dr. Abhay Firodia Group of Companies- one of India’s pioneering industrial houses with a strong focus on the automotive and manufacturing sectors. Founded by Shri N. K. Firodia in 1948, the Group is inspired by his vision of providing affordable and reliable mobility for the masses. Today, under the guidance of Dr. Abhay Firodia, the Group has evolved into a diversified engineering conglomerate with an enterprise exceeding USD 4.2 billion and has an active workforce of over 12,000 employees.

The Group’s portfolio includes its flagship company Force Motors Limited, Jaya Hind Industries Private Limited and Jaya Hind International B.V. Apart from the businesses, the Group is actively involved in social development through the Shri Firodia Trust, which supports initiatives in healthcare, education and cultural preservation.

Making his mark in the Indian Automotive industry, Dr. Firodia has played a significant role in shaping the Indian automobile sector and has held several prestigious positions in leading industry bodies & organizations, including

• President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) (2017–2018, 1990–1992)
• President, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC)
• President, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries & Agriculture (MCCIA) (2010–2012)
• President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) (1981–1982)
• President, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)

Through these thought leadership roles, he has contributed to strengthening India’s automotive industry landscape, thereby fostering international collaborations and advocating for industry advancements.

Social and Educational Commitments
Continuing his family’s tradition of societal commitment, Dr. Firodia is deeply involved in numerous philanthropic, educational and cultural initiatives. He currently serves as:

• Chairman, Gandhi National Memorial Society, Pune
• Chairman, Regulating Council, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
• President, Veerayatan, a transnational social organization
• President, Ahmednagar Education Society
• Chairman, Shri Firodia Trust and Multanchand Bora Trust, focused on healthcare, education and rural upliftment
• Chairman, Amar Prerana Trust, which operates centres like Navalveerayatan, the International School for Jain Studies (ISJS) and the Firodia Institute of Philosophy, Culture & History (FIPCH)
• Chairman, Abhay Prabhavana Trust, dedicated to fostering cultural dialogue, spiritual exploration and preserving India’s philosophical heritage through initiatives such as the Abhay Prabhavana Museum-a space dedicated to India’s rich philosophical and spiritual traditions

Honors and Awards
Dr. Abhay Firodia’s contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards, including:

• “Jain Ratna” Award, presented by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
• “Cross of the Order of Merit”, awarded by the Federal Republic of Germany for his efforts in fostering India-Germany business relations
• Honorary Doctorates, including a Doctor of Science from Rajiv Gandhi Technological University, Madhya Pradesh and Doctor of Literature degrees from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and Dr. D. Y. Patil University, Pune. Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2016, in the Business Transformation category Through his visionary leadership, industry contributions and philanthropic efforts, Dr. Abhay Firodia has made an indisputable & lasting mark on the Indian industrial landscape and the broader society.

PRASAN FIRODIA

Mr. Prasan Abhaykumar Firodia is the Managing Director of Force Motors Limited, India’s leading van manufacturer. Force Motors is a fully integrated automobile company specializing in the engineering, development and manufacturing of vehicles, aggregates and components.

With a strong focus on innovation and strategic growth, he has led the Company to strengthen its position through key collaborations with global brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Rolls-Royce.

He holds a degree in Business Administration from the European Business School and Regents College, London. He has been featured among Business Today’s “Top 100 CEOs” and recognized as a “Most Influential Young Leader” by AsiaOne Magazine.

Beyond his role at Force Motors, he is actively involved in industry associations, serving as the Trustee and President of ALUCAST and as an Executive Committee member of SIAM.

In addition to leading Force Motors, Mr. Prasan Abhaykumar Firodia is the Managing Director of Jaya Hind Industries Private Limited and serves on the Boards of Jaya Hind Montupet Private Limited, Force MTU Power Systems Private Limited, AAPF One Act Kinder Foundation and Jaya Hind International BV.

VALLABH BHANSHALI

Mr. Vallabh Bhanshali is the Co-founder and chairman of Enam Securities, a reputed investment house and formerly a leading investment bank. He has served on many policy making bodies including the Reserve bank of India. He is involved with many leading NGOs in fields of education, democracy, Vipassana, scientific spirituality, farmer upliftment, policy making, etc. He has produced documentaries on Bharat’s precious cultural heritage. He is a Founding member of Governing Board of India’s pioneering liberal arts University Flame and ISPP a reputed public policy educator.

Has been a devoted Vipassana meditator for over three decades and credits a lot of his success to it. Recipient of many honors he has been admitted to the Hall of Fame of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and recipient of two honorary doctorates.

Mr. Bhanshali is also a Director on the Boards of Suroop Fresh Private Limited, Indore Composite Private Limited, Indore Speciality Materials Private Limited, Enam Financial Consultants Private Limited, Enam Investment & Services Private Limited, Enam Securities Private Limited, Sarvatra Technologies Private Limited, Indore Visight Advanced Material Private Limited, Indihood Private Limited, Desh Apnayen Sahayog Foundation, Shantilal Muttha Foundation and Foundation for Liberal and Management Education.

MUKESH PATEL

An eminent Advocate and a leading International Tax Expert, Mr. Mukesh Patel enjoys close to five decades of experience as a Veteran in the legal profession, during which he has also been passionately committed to the causes of Teaching Law and promoting Tax Payer Education, both through the Print and Electronic Media.

A prolific writer and speaker, his tally of over 5,000 Weekly Columns in English and Gujarati, close to 50 editions of his Book Titles and more than 500 TV Shows on Tax and Investment Planning with leading Print and Electronic Media have come to be acknowledged as a unique and unprecedented record. In recognition of the same, he has been acclaimed with the Honour as ‘Champion of Tax Payer Education’ at the All-India Tax Congress. Closely involved with the analysis of Union Budgets since 1977, his studied and thought-provoking annual presentations are eagerly looked forward to.

He was appointed by the Government of India to serve as a Member on the Justice Easwar Committee for Simplification of the Income-tax Act, Rules and Procedures and as an Expert on the Six Member Task Force entrusted with the key assignment of drafting a New Income-Tax Law. He is a Director on the Board of a number of reputed Public Companies.

He has served as President of Ahmedabad Management Association, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Indian Red Cross Society, Indo-Japan Friendship Association and All Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants.

He enjoys the honour of having been conferred with several International Awards and Recognitions, including the highest Decoration from the Emperor of Japan – ‘Order of the Rising Sun.’ In 2024, Mr. Mukesh Patel has come to be appointed as the First Honorary Consul of Japan in India.

Mr. Mukesh Patel also serves as Director on the Boards of Zydus Lifesciences Limited, Desai Foods Private Limited, Jade Blue Lifestyle India Limited, Desai Brothers Ltd, Cliantha Research Limited and Gulmohar Greens-Golf and Country Club Limited.

SONIA PRASHAR

Experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in international trade and development, Indo-European cooperation for nearly three decades. Recipient of the German Order of Merit, she is skilled in forging constructive collaborations, Strategic Business Relationships, Merger and Acquisitions, medium to large businesses.

She is graduated in Science and Education and also has a diploma in German language, MBA Essentials from London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.

Ms. Sonia Prashar is Managing Director of Nuernbergmesse India Private Limited and also Director on the Boards of Insilco Limited, Exponova Exhibitions and Conferences (India) Private Limited and Path Medical Audiology Private Limited. She is also currently serving as the Secretary General of Federation of European Business in India.

GAUTAM BAMBAWALE

Mr. Gautam Bambawale is a retired Indian diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service, with a distinguished career spanning key global assignments and strategic policy roles. He served as India’s Ambassador to China from 2017 to 2018, and earlier as the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, engaging at the forefront of complex bilateral relationships.

He was India’s first Consul General in Guangzhou, playing a pioneering role in strengthening India’s commercial, cultural, and people-to-people engagement in southern China. His career also includes serving as Director of the Indian Cultural Centre in Berlin, where he advanced India’s cultural diplomacy, and a tenure in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2002 to 2004. Between 2009 and 2014, he served as Joint Secretary for East Asia, contributing to the shaping of India’s strategic and diplomatic engagement with the region.

Over the course of his service, Mr. Bambawale has been closely involved in policy formulation, international negotiations, and the strengthening of India’s global partnerships. His work reflects a deep understanding of geopolitics, diplomacy, and cross-cultural engagement, underpinned by decades of experience representing India’s interests on the global stage.

After his retirement from Government Service, Mr. Bambawale has been a distinguished Professor at Symbiosis International University, trustee of
Pune International Centre and he is also the author of book -“Rising to the China Challenge” published in the year 2021.

NITIN KAREER

Mr. Nitin Kareer is a retired officer of the Indian Administrative Service and former Chief Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra, with a distinguished career spanning administration, governance reform, and public finance.

He is widely recognised for his deep expertise in urban development, land records administration, and fiscal planning, having held several senior leadership positions across the state. His assignments include serving as District Collector of Sangli, Director General of Information and Public Relations, Commissioner of the Pune Municipal Corporation, and Divisional Commissioner of Pune. He has also served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sales Tax Commissioner, and Inspector General of Registration and Settlement Commissioner.

Across these roles, Mr. Kareer has played a pivotal role in strengthening institutional capacity, driving administrative efficiency, and shaping policy frameworks that impact urban governance, revenue administration, and citizen-facing services. His career reflects a sustained commitment to public service, informed decision-making, and the effective delivery of governance at scale.

PRASHANT INAMDAR

Mr. Prashant V. Inamdar began his journey with Force Motors Limited in 1984 as a Junior Engineer. Over the years, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise across various divisions.

During his tenure in Corporate Controlling, Mr. Inamdar contributed significantly to key areas such as industrial engineering, management information services, industrial relations, human resource development and SAP implementation projects. He has had the privilege of working closely with and being mentored by Dr. Abhaykumar Navalmal Firodia on several critical projects.

Following his contributions to Corporate Controlling, Mr. Inamdar transitioned to Production, starting with the Minidor Division and later overseeing the tractor production operations. A major milestone in his career was successfully establishing the Engine Shop for MAN Trucks at the Pithampur plant.

Currently, Mr. Inamdar leads the Operations activities across Force Motors’ plants in Akurdi, Pithampur, Chennai and Chakan. Additionally, he serves as a Director on the Board of Force MTU Power Systems Private Limited.