Leadership team

Mr. Richard Charnock

Director

Mr. Richard Charnock is an Executive Director of Standard Life Investments and CEO of Standard Life Wealth. He joined Standard Life in February 2007 with a brief to create and launch Standard Life Wealth in the market. Richard oversaw the acquisition of Newton Private Client business in 2013, to position Standard Life Wealth as a major provider of discretionary fund management in the UK wealth management sector.

Alongside heading Standard Life Wealth, Richard was a member of Standard Life UK Executive Board from 2010 to 2014 and subsequently became Managing Director of the Adviser and Investment business of Standard Life UK. He held responsibility for all Standard Life retail channel activity in the UK and Ireland and was also CEO of Standard Life Savings with responsibility for the Wrap platform and FundZone businesses.

Immediately before joining Standard Life, Richard was CEO of Williams de Broe and prior to that served as CEO of Lloyds TSB, Lloyds TSB IFA and Lloyds TSB Stockbrokers.

Richard is a board director and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments. He also chairs the CISI Ethics and Integrity Committee. He is a member of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers, the Cornhill Club and a Trustee of the Shrewsbury School Foundation.

Prior to his career in the financial services space, Richard served with the British Army in the mid 80’s and holds an Honours degree in Geography from the University of Durham.

Mr. Charnock has been on the Board of Directors of HDFC International Life and Re since its inception.

Mr. Yuvraj Narayan

Independent Director

Yuvraj Narayan is the Group CFO of DP World, one of the largest global transport and logistics companies with 78 container terminals across 40 countries.

The Group is listed on Nasdaq Dubai with a market capitalisation of USD19 billion[1], making it the largest listed entity in Dubai, UAE. DP World’s flagship asset is Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Freezone which accounts for approximately 25% of Dubai’s GDP. 

Mr Narayan joined DP World in 2004 and played a major role in growing the company’s global operations. He led the DP World’s international $21 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO), the largest in the Middle East, together with a successful international Islamic and conventional bond issue.

He was also instrumental in the $3.5billion acquisition of Economic Zones World FZE (EZW), the owner of Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, creating the leading integrated port and free zone in the Middle East.

Other landmark transactions include:

The finance facility for the acquisition of CSX and P&O in 2005 and 2006

Organising Pre- IPO Sukuk issuance

Delivering the divestment of P&O’s east coast assets in the United States The first  ever 10 year Islamic Sukuk

The first ever 30-year Bond in the Middle East

Launching the DP World IPO worth $21billion

The acquisition of DP World Sokhna in Egypt, the Fairview Container Terminal on the west coast of Canada and Suriname

The monetisation of assets in Australia, Hong Kong and Canada

Partnership deals with Canadian asset manager, Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ); the Russian Sovereign Wealth Fund; the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF); the India Sovereign Wealth Fund and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)

Mr Narayan has been named MENA CFO of the Year on three occasions in 2008, 2015 and 2016. His Finance team has won multiple awards including Finance Team of the Year in 2015.  DP World is also a regular winner of the ‘Best Company for Investor Relations, Middle East.

Board Memberships

DP World Group
Virgin Hyperloop One

Mr. Davinder Rajpal

Independent Director

Mr. Davinder Rajpal is an independent insurance and reinsurance professional who began his professional career in 1961. Prior to retirement in 2006, he was “Member of the Executive Team” in Swiss Re – Asia HQ, Hong Kong (2002 – 2006), a body responsible for the strategic development and overall management decision making for all Asia Pacific Property & Casualty operations. He was also “Head of Turkey, Middle East and South Asia” markets for Property & Casualty business in Swiss Re(2000 – 2002). Prior to the above, Mr. Rajpal was “General Manager” for AXA China Region, Hong Kong (1992 – 2000). During this period, he was responsible for defining regional strategies and provided overall management of the company’s general insurance operations. He has also served as “General Manager” for CIGNA and his territorial responsibilities in CIGNA included Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau (1985 – 1992).

He was also on the Board of Directors of IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co.Ltd., Mumbai and also was an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of PineBridge Investment Trustee Company India Ltd.

Mr. Rajpal has been on the Board of Directors of HDFC International Life and Re since its inception

Mr. Suresh Badami

Director

Prior to joining HDFC Life, Mr. Badami was associated with Dunlop India Limited, ICI India Limited, Cogensis Networks Private Limited, Max Ateev Limited and ICICI Bank Limited. Mr. Badami holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Bangalore University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, India.

Mr. Badami has been appointed to the Board of Directors of HDFC International Life and Re since July 13, 2017

Mr. Amit Punchhi

Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer - International Business, Ecommerce, Analytics & CRM (HDFC Life)

Mr. Amit Punchhi has been associated with HDFC Life since October 2017. Mr.Punchhi is responsible for reinsurance strategy and the international business of HDFC Life, which includes overall management of HDFC International Life and Re. Prior to joining HDFC Life, Mr. Punchhi was based in Hong Kong as Chief Executive Officer, Reinsurance Group of America (RGA). Additionally, he was also Managing Director of Singapore, India and the Asia High Net-Worth business.

Mr. Punchhi has 27 years of experience in Reinsurance, Insurance and Investments in both North America and Asia. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Insurance Conference, Asia’s leading conference for the insurance and reinsurance industries. He has also served on the Board of Terry Fox Run in Mumbai as well as on the Advisory Boards of the American School of Bombay and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Mr. Punchhi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Windsor, Canada

Mr. Sameer Yogishwar

Director

In 1998, Mr. Sameer Yogishwar started his professional career with India’s largest mortgage finance company, HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation) Limited, one of the Founder Shareholders of HDFC Life, as a Management Trainee. In his 16-year stint with HDFC Life, Mr. Yogishwar was involved across multiple functions including process, operations, learning & development, agency sales, bancassurance, strategic alliances and international business. Within HDFC Life, he has essayed multiple senior leadership roles, having headed the zonal business functions in large geographies of the country, apart from spending a significant part of his career in building up and managing the organization’s 500 strong branch operations network in India.

Mr. Yogishwar has traversed critical junctures in the last 19 years to become the first CEO of HDFC International Life and Re in January 2016. He was instrumental in obtaining the license and incorporating the Company in the DIFC.

Mr. Yogishwar also serves on the Board of Directors of the DIFC Insurance Association NPIO.

Mr. Yogishwar holds a Bachelor degree in Economics and a Masters in Management Studies (Finance), both from Mumbai University.

Mr. Rahul Prasad

Chief Executive Officer

Rahul is currently essaying the role of CEO - HDFC international Life and Re Company Limited where he is responsible for Business, Strategy, Operating models and delivery of objectives set by the Board of Directors.

Rahul started his professional journey with HDFC Life as a Management Trainee in 2004. In close to two decade long association with HDFC Life group, he has contributed significantly across multiple functions viz. business & client management, sales leadership, product management, reinsurance and international business recently. Rahul holds a Master in Business Administration and has a Bachelor degree in Engineering.

Eshwari Murugan

Appointed Actuary

As an Appointed Actuary of HDFC International Life and Re, Eshwari serves in the capacity as an Advisor to the company and is also a Responsible Officer with complete responsibility and accountability towards the actuarial function of the company.

Eshwari brings in a wealth of experience in life insurance & reinsurance and has a career spanning more than 25 years. She began her professional journey with Life Insurance Corporation of India in 1990 and has worked across various functions viz. actuary, underwriting, claims, information technology etc. before moving to HDFC Life in 2006.

Eshwari is a Qualified Actuary (Fellow of Institute of Actuaries of India) and is also a Fellow of Insurance Institute of India.

Fouzy Mohamed Sheifuddin

Head – Compliance & Legal, Company Secretary

As Head of Compliance & Legal functions, Fouzy is responsible for compliance, legal, secretarial and regulatory matters. She has an enterprising career of over two decades in managing legal and compliance functions across banking and financial services sector in multi jurisdictions, especially, U.A.E, U.K and India. During her expansive career, her experience includes corporate and commercial laws, litigation management, banking and finance, wealth management, investment advisory, corporate advisory, factoring, property & real estate matters.

Fouzy began her career in 1993 as a practicing lawyer before moving to Union Bank of India, a leading public sector bank in India. In her previous roles, she has worked as Vice President-Legal & Compliance at Reliance Capital Asset Management (UK) plc (Reliance Wealth Management), (Erstwhile DIFC Branch). She was also associated with Menafactors Limited, a FIMBank Group Company in the DIFC as Head of Compliance & Legal. She also held authorized Compliance Officer and Money laundering Reporting Officer positions forthe above mentioned companies in DIFC.

Fouzy holds Bachelor of Arts (B.A (L)) and Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from Mangalore University, India.

Harpreet Singh Kalra

Head – Finance and Accounts

As Head of Finance, his responsibilities include corporate finance, business planning, budgetary controls and investment management. He also oversees and manages the general office administration for the company.

Prior to joining HDFC Life in 2009, Harpreet, had worked with various organizations viz. M.S. Kalra & Associates, Reliance Communications and Reliance Fresh Limited in Finance and Accounts functions. In HDFC Life, he had started his career as Head Regional Finance and Accounts in North India. He was heading Indirect Taxation function at the corporate office in Mumbai before moving in to his current role as Head of Finance, HDFC International Life and Re.

Harpreet is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Abhishek Nayak

Head - Risk & Compliance and MLRO

As the head of Risk &Compliance and MLRO, Abhishek is responsible for analyzing the health of the business, detecting possible deficiencies and administrating of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Enterprise Compliance Management (ECM). He oversees and manages the complete spectrum of risk, compliance and assurance organization, including anticipating new challenges, addressing emerging risks, and responding to a rapidly evolving environment.

Prior to joining HDFC International Life and Re, he has worked with a quasi-regulatory body and with a global digital services and consulting leader.’

Dr. Mohammed Ayathullah Badsha

Head – Underwriting

As Head of Underwriting, Dr. Badsha has overall responsibility of risk selection of the lives reinsured with the company. He has the mandate to assign underwriting limits and evaluate/decide on facultative underwriting placements. He is also entrusted with designing tailor made risk solutions for ceding partners and liaising with retrocession partners for alternate risk transfer.

Prior to joining HDFC Life in 2006 Dr. Badsha, was working independently as a para-medical practitioner in India and was also associated with Perot Systems for a brief stint. In HDFC Life, he has been instrumental in setting up the underwriting function at the operations hub in India. He has handled numerous complex underwriting decisions and high value policies which were of significant importance to the company.

Dr. Badsha holds a Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Insurance Management. He is also Certified as an “Associate of Reinsurance Administration” from LOMA, USA.

Joby Xavier

Head – Operations and Claims Management

As Head of Operations and Claims Management, Joby has overall responsibility of managing reinsurance operations of the company. He oversees partner management, treaty management, technical accounting and claims management.

Joby began his career in 2002 with IDBI Bank as a Financial Advisor. Prior to joining HDFC International Life and Re he was associated with leading companies in India and GCC viz. Hinduja Global Solutions, United Health Group, Swiss Re, Al Jazira Takaful and Chartis Insurance in managing (re)insurance operations.

Joby holds a Bachelor degree in English.

Mr. Manoj Raman

Head – Client Relations and Business Systems

As Head of Client Relations and Business Systems, Manoj is responsible for overall Operations portfolio which includes functions such as Underwriting, Reinsurance Operations and Claims. In addition, he also oversees the Business Systems and Tech initiatives of the company.

Manoj started his professional journey with HDFC Life in 2002 in the Projects department and since then has contributed significantly across multiple functions in Branch and back-office Operations, Customer Service and Information Technology. He was also involved in some key and innovative digital solutions for our partners and customers in HDFC Life. In his current role, Manoj is also responsible to create and execute a roadmap for expanding our digital footprints across GCC and MENA regions.

Manoj holds a Master in Business Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce with specialization in Finance.

Ms. Nancy Gupta

Appointed Actuary

As an Appointed Actuary of HDFC International Life and Re, Nancy serves in the capacity as an Authorised Individual of the company with complete responsibility and accountability towards the actuarial function of the company.

Nancy is a Qualified Actuary (Fellow of Institute of Actuaries of India) and brings in more than 13 years of experience in the life insurance industry. She has experience across Statutory valuation, Regulatory & Shareholder reporting, Reinsurance, Risk & Solvency-II, Experience analysis, Product Development & Pricing. She began her professional journey with Aviva Life Insurance Company Ltd. in 2008 before moving to HDFC Life in 2013.