MAM
Cards on the table as Amit Kalekar moves up at HDFC Bank
MUMBAI: Cards have been reshuffled at HDFC Bank, and the hand looks stronger. Amit Kalekar has been elevated to senior vice president, marking a significant step in a career built on quietly scaling some of India’s most complex payments businesses.
In his new role, Kalekar will continue to drive growth across Commercial Cards, B2B Payments and Digital Platforms, areas that sit at the heart of transaction banking as corporates push for speed, visibility and smarter cash management.
With more than two decades of experience across leading financial institutions, Kalekar brings deep domain expertise in product strategy, partnerships and large-scale digital payment ecosystems. Before joining HDFC Bank, he held senior roles at Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Bank, working across debit cards, commercial cards and programme management.
Since joining HDFC Bank over six years ago, Kalekar has been closely involved in building scalable card-led and platform-based B2B solutions, strengthening partnerships and expanding the bank’s digital payments footprint. His elevation reflects a track record of customer-centric innovation and an ability to translate complex enterprise needs into workable, revenue-generating products.
As Indian corporates accelerate digital adoption and demand more integrated payment solutions, Kalekar’s expanded mandate places him at the centre of HDFC Bank’s next phase of growth in the B2B payments and transaction banking space.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
