Early Life and Education
Adi Burjorji Godrej was born on April 3, 1942, in Mumbai, India, into the prominent Godrej family. He completed his schooling in Mumbai and then pursued higher education in the United States. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 1963.
Rise to Success
After completing his education, Adi Godrej returned to India and joined the family business, Godrej Group. He played a pivotal role in modernizing the management structure and implementing process improvements during the License Raj, a period of strict government control over the Indian economy. He spearheaded the growth of Godrej Consumer Products into a strong emerging market FMCG player. He became the head of the Godrej Group in 2000.
Key Business Strategies
Adi Godrej focused on diversifying the Godrej Group into various sectors, including consumer goods, real estate, and agriculture. He emphasized innovation and sustainability, introducing environmentally friendly practices across the organization. Under his leadership, the group expanded its operations both domestically and internationally, establishing a presence in over 60 countries. In 2024, the Godrej family restructured the business into two distinct groups: Godrej Enterprises Group and Godrej Industries Group.
Philanthropy
Adi Godrej is actively involved in philanthropy and social causes. He has supported education, healthcare, and rural development initiatives, and has established the Godrej Foundation to support these causes.