Mr. Prakash Apte, has a B.E. (Mechanical) degree from the University of Pune and holds Diploma in the Business Management from The University of Mumbai. He has attended various executive & leadership development programs at Harvard Business School, INSEAD and IMD.
Mr. Apte’s professional career spans over 40 years, most of which has been with global multinationals viz; Ciba Geigy, Novartis and Syngenta in various positions related to Specialty Chemicals, Pharma & Agri business industries respectively. He was the Country Head & Managing Director of Syngenta India for over a decade from 2000 to 2011 & thereafter its Non-Executive Chairman till September 2021.
Mr. Apte takes keen interest in developmental initiatives. He was instrumental in setting up Syngenta Foundation India focusing on providing resources to poor farmers & rural entrepreneurship in 2005. In 2016, he catalyzed setting up of the Indo Swiss Centre of Excellence which aims to provide world-class training in advanced vocational skills. Mr. Apte has served on the Boards of both these not-for-profit entities till mid 2021.
Presently, Mr. Apte is Chairman of the Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited. He also serves on the Boards of Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Limited, Fine Organic Industries Limited and GMM Pfaudler Ltd.