CCGS at IIM Bangalore hosts a special session honouring Prof. N. Balasubramanian
Good governance is not about ticking boxes; it’s about doing what’s right, said Mr. Suresh Narayanan, Former Chairman, Nestle India
November 13, 2025, Bangalore: The Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability (CCGS) at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) hosted a special session on Corporate Governance on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the IIMB campus, commemorating the late Prof. N. Balasubramanian’s pioneering contributions to corporate governance, ethical leadership, and responsible business practices.
The session opened with a Welcome Address by Prof. Padmini Srinivasan, Chairperson of CCGS and Professor of Finance & Accounting at IIM Bangalore, who reflected on her long association with Prof. Balasubramanian. Sharing personal anecdotes, she recalled how his passion for writing and unwavering enthusiasm had inspired generations of students and colleagues.
“For several years, the moment you said corporate governance, the first name that came to mind was Professor Bala, a prolific writer and a guiding force in this field. Even at 80, his curiosity and energy were unmatched,” she said, recalling how he continued revising chapters for his seminal book and exchanging ideas on governance cases until his final days.
Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, from the OB & HRM area, shared a deeply personal tribute, recounting how Prof. Balasubramanian played a pivotal role in shaping her academic journey. “I owe a lot to Bala because he was the one who brought me into the field of corporate governance and sustainability,” she said.
The Prof. N. Balasubramanian Memorial Lecture was delivered by Mr. Suresh Narayanan, Former Chairman & Managing Director, Nestlé India Ltd., who spoke about the enduring relevance of ethics, transparency, and accountability in leadership and the need to uphold the principles Prof. Balasubramanian championed throughout his career.
Drawing on his extensive experience in corporate leadership, he outlined the moral foundations of governance that extend beyond compliance to encompass integrity, accountability, and conscience. He spoke about the responsibility of boards to uphold transparency, diversity, and ethical judgment in decision-making, highlighting the need for sustained stakeholder engagement and the courage to act with fairness even in times of crisis.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of governance, he remarked, “Good governance is not about ticking boxes; it is about nurturing a culture where doing the right thing becomes second nature.”
The event also featured a Certificate Distribution Ceremony for participants of the Young Directors’ Forum (YDF), a programme conducted for the last six months. The IIMB–CCGS Young Directors Forum is a unique engagement platform designed to enhance board effectiveness and leadership capabilities. This highly focused learning initiative brings together board members and senior management executives from private, public, and family-managed businesses, as well as independent directors.
This is then followed by a panel discussion on ‘The Future Boardroom: Redefining Corporate Governance in a Changing World.’
The panel, moderated by Prof. P. D. Jose, Professor of Strategy, IIM Bangalore, with Prof. Samir Barua, former Director, IIM Ahmedabad; Prof. Chiranjib Sen, Distinguished Professor, School of Liberal Studies, BML Munjal University; and Prof. Prasanna Chandra, Director, Centre for Financial Management.
The speakers shared their perspectives on evolving expectations of boards, the growing role of sustainability in corporate decision-making, and how Prof. Balasubramanian’s legacy continues to guide responsible leadership in India’s business landscape.
The panellists explored how boardrooms must evolve to address the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment shaped by technological disruption, demographic shifts, and heightened expectations for sustainability and ethical stewardship. They reflected on the transition from shareholder-focused governance to a broader model of stakeholder responsibility and the need for agility, foresight, and inclusiveness in modern corporate leadership.
“The future of corporate governance lies in boardrooms that listen, learn, and lead with purpose, where accountability extends beyond shareholders to every stakeholder who is touched by a company’s actions,” observed Prof. P. D. Jose, who moderated the discussion.
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CCGS at IIM Bangalore hosts a special session honouring Prof. N. Balasubramanian
Good governance is not about ticking boxes; it’s about doing what’s right, said Mr. Suresh Narayanan, Former Chairman, Nestle India
November 13, 2025, Bangalore: The Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability (CCGS) at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) hosted a special session on Corporate Governance on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the IIMB campus, commemorating the late Prof. N. Balasubramanian’s pioneering contributions to corporate governance, ethical leadership, and responsible business practices.
The session opened with a Welcome Address by Prof. Padmini Srinivasan, Chairperson of CCGS and Professor of Finance & Accounting at IIM Bangalore, who reflected on her long association with Prof. Balasubramanian. Sharing personal anecdotes, she recalled how his passion for writing and unwavering enthusiasm had inspired generations of students and colleagues.
“For several years, the moment you said corporate governance, the first name that came to mind was Professor Bala, a prolific writer and a guiding force in this field. Even at 80, his curiosity and energy were unmatched,” she said, recalling how he continued revising chapters for his seminal book and exchanging ideas on governance cases until his final days.
Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, from the OB & HRM area, shared a deeply personal tribute, recounting how Prof. Balasubramanian played a pivotal role in shaping her academic journey. “I owe a lot to Bala because he was the one who brought me into the field of corporate governance and sustainability,” she said.
The Prof. N. Balasubramanian Memorial Lecture was delivered by Mr. Suresh Narayanan, Former Chairman & Managing Director, Nestlé India Ltd., who spoke about the enduring relevance of ethics, transparency, and accountability in leadership and the need to uphold the principles Prof. Balasubramanian championed throughout his career.
Drawing on his extensive experience in corporate leadership, he outlined the moral foundations of governance that extend beyond compliance to encompass integrity, accountability, and conscience. He spoke about the responsibility of boards to uphold transparency, diversity, and ethical judgment in decision-making, highlighting the need for sustained stakeholder engagement and the courage to act with fairness even in times of crisis.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of governance, he remarked, “Good governance is not about ticking boxes; it is about nurturing a culture where doing the right thing becomes second nature.”
The event also featured a Certificate Distribution Ceremony for participants of the Young Directors’ Forum (YDF), a programme conducted for the last six months. The IIMB–CCGS Young Directors Forum is a unique engagement platform designed to enhance board effectiveness and leadership capabilities. This highly focused learning initiative brings together board members and senior management executives from private, public, and family-managed businesses, as well as independent directors.
This is then followed by a panel discussion on ‘The Future Boardroom: Redefining Corporate Governance in a Changing World.’
The panel, moderated by Prof. P. D. Jose, Professor of Strategy, IIM Bangalore, with Prof. Samir Barua, former Director, IIM Ahmedabad; Prof. Chiranjib Sen, Distinguished Professor, School of Liberal Studies, BML Munjal University; and Prof. Prasanna Chandra, Director, Centre for Financial Management.
The speakers shared their perspectives on evolving expectations of boards, the growing role of sustainability in corporate decision-making, and how Prof. Balasubramanian’s legacy continues to guide responsible leadership in India’s business landscape.
The panellists explored how boardrooms must evolve to address the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment shaped by technological disruption, demographic shifts, and heightened expectations for sustainability and ethical stewardship. They reflected on the transition from shareholder-focused governance to a broader model of stakeholder responsibility and the need for agility, foresight, and inclusiveness in modern corporate leadership.
“The future of corporate governance lies in boardrooms that listen, learn, and lead with purpose, where accountability extends beyond shareholders to every stakeholder who is touched by a company’s actions,” observed Prof. P. D. Jose, who moderated the discussion.
Click here for photo gallery