Gautam Adani Discusses Retirement Plans and Business Succession

Gautam Adani, who is currently the second richest man in India, shared some insights about his retirement and who will take over his business in a recent Bloomberg interview. At 62 years old, he mentioned plans to retire at the age of 70, paving the way for the next generation of leaders in his empire.

Adani started out in business with his brothers, Vinod and Rajesh, setting up a commodity trading company. Over the years, he expanded into various sectors including ports, airports, coal, and power, making a significant mark in the industry.

His journey began back in 1978 when he dropped out of school at 16 to join his brother Vinod in Mumbai. There, he worked sorting diamonds before he returned to Gujarat to kickstart his entrepreneurial path. Today, Gautam Adani is the Founder and Chairman of the massive Adani Group.

In the interview, Adani discussed his four successors who will take over the reins of the business after he retires. His sons Karan and Jeet Adani, along with their cousins Pranav and Sagar Adani, are all part of this succession plan. These four are named heirs through a family trust.

Pranav Adani, the eldest of the group, has extensive experience in the business, overseeing the Adani Group’s consumer sectors. He is also involved in significant projects like the redevelopment of the Dharavi slum in Mumbai.

Karan Adani, who holds a degree in economics, is currently managing Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ). Jeet Adani joined the company in 2019 and plays an important role in the strategic operations at Adani Airports.

Then there’s Sagar Adani, the executive director of Adani Green Energy Ltd., who has been with the group since 2015 and is handling key strategic matters there. All four heirs are well-educated and have built their careers within the Adani Group.

The Adani Group itself is quite impressive, being made up of 10 publicly listed companies with a market capitalization of around $213 billion. Their operations span multiple sectors such as energy, ports, logistics, and even defense and aerospace.