Mr. Balram Singh Yadav

Independent Director

Mr. Yadav completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agricultural Science at Haryana Agricultural University, where he ranked 2nd in his class. He earned his MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. Mr. Balram Singh Yadav has spent his professional career at Godrej Agrovet since 1990, and has built a transformative legacy since he took over as MD of the food and agribusiness conglomerate in 2007. As his first challenge as MD, he successfully led the turnaround of GAVL, which was then a loss-making entity. The company has since seen a 17% CAGR in topline and 22% CAGR in valuation. Growth came as a combination of greenfield investments, inorganic moves and investment in 3 R&D centres as a moat. A key milestone was when Balram took the company public in 2017 (1200 Cr primary and secondary) and the issue was subscribed 96+ times. Growth has been balanced and sustainable – diversity improved from 2% in 2014 to 12% in 2025; not a single day was lost to employee relations issues in 58 manufacturing locations in the country.

In addition to management experience, Balram has experience as a Board member, and in new business building. He served as MD of Godrej Foods Ltd. He was a Director of ACI Godrej Agrovet, Creamline Dairy and Astec Life Sciences. Currently, he is an Independent Director outside the agribusiness industry with DAM Capital Advisors. He is also an active angel investor mentoring a slew of next-generation entrepreneurs, an Advisory Board Member for First Bridge Capital, and an LP in several funds.

With his deep knowledge of agri and food value chains, Balram has regularly advised Central and State Government stakeholders on formulating practical policies, building ecosystems, and implementation approach. His inputs were instrumental in formulating the National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm. He has served in several committees of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries & Animal Husbandry, CII and FICCI. 

His views are constantly in demand from institutional investors, PE firms, and industry bodies. Balram is the current Chairman of Agriculture Skill Council of India. He is a regular speaker at several fora of food and agri sector. He has played a key role in bringing together companies in the various agribusiness sub-segments, towards common causes like industry representation, improving perception and collaboration. He has been a Chairman of CLFMA twice.

 

Other Directorships held by Directors of the Company