Tarun Bajaj

Independent Director

Mr Tarun Bajaj is an Independent Director on the Board of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). He is the Chairperson of the CSR-ESG Committee and a Member of the Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Stakeholders Relationship Committee and Risk Management Committee of HUL.

Mr Bajaj has served in the Indian Administrative Service for close to 35 years before superannuating in November 2022. His last assignment was as Revenue Secretary to the Government of India during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, where he adeptly navigated and managed both direct and indirect tax revenues for the Government of India. His leadership was instrumental in stabilising the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Under his guidance, the monthly revenue collection saw significant growth, showcasing his ability to drive positive outcomes even in challenging circumstances.

Prior to being the Revenue Secretary, he also served as the Economic Affairs Secretary, where he was responsible for various important policy matters related to the Indian economy, including fiscal policy, investments, infrastructure financing and matters relating to Multilateral institutions. He played a key role in formulating the Government's economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rollout of various relief measures and economic stimulus packages. He also played a key role in the formulation of the Central Government budgets for 2021-22 and 2022-23.

As Economic Affairs Secretary, Mr Bajaj chaired the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and served as the Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India and SEBI. Additionally, he held significant positions as the Governor of India for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and as an Alternate Governor for India at the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the New Development Bank (NDB). He has also served on the Boards of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of India, General Insurance Corporation Limited, New India Assurance Company Limited and United India Insurance Company Limited.

After his superannuation, Mr Bajaj serves as an Independent Director on the Boards of leading Public Listed Companies, namely Tech Mahindra Limited, Bajaj Finance Limited and Tata Power Company Limited. He is also an Advisor to leading entities in India and abroad.

Mr Bajaj completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, Post Graduate Diploma in Management (MBA) from IIM Ahmedabad and a Postgraduate (M.Sc.) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is also a CFA from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, Hyderabad.