Sanjiv Roy
Over 39 years in the corporate world — across hospitality and financial services — I have had the opportunity to lead organizations, build teams, and learn from the challenges that come with running a business. My focus has been on fostering collaborative cultures, driving steady growth, and making considered decisions under pressure — with the strategic endurance that comes from staying the course across decades and industries. At this stage of my career, I am keen to share what I have learned through candid, peer-to-peer conversation — looking to contribute beyond traditional board member roles. I enjoy connecting with fellow leaders to exchange experiences, talk through the real challenges of stakeholder management, and find better ways to drive performance together. If I can be a useful sounding board for someone navigating a difficult decision at the top, that is the most meaningful work I can do.
Career
I started my career in the ITC Hotels Division, building a foundation in hospitality leadership and sales over 17 years. I rose to lead Sales and Marketing for all Business and Leisure hotels of this premier group, culminating in heading the Mumbai Regional Sales Office — ITC Hotels' largest market.
I managed a diverse portfolio spanning luxury palaces, business hotels, leisure resorts, and boutique properties. I drove strategic revenue management across flagship properties — executing sales strategies for luxury and corporate segments and negotiating high-value annual contracts with Fortune 500 companies. I maintained rigorous brand governance across the portfolio through large-scale promotions, loyalty programmes, and consistent quality standards.
I built long-standing relationships with HNI clients, corporate entities, and global travel partners through extensive stakeholder and relationship management. I collaborated across Operations, Finance, and Marketing to align service delivery with sales commitments. My international exposure through affiliation with Sheraton and select international conferences as Director of Sales lends itself to board and advisory potential in the hospitality and service sectors.
I joined the Aditya Birla Group to set up a green field project — a joint venture between Aditya Birla Group and Sun Life Financial of Canada. As CEO of the company, I was instrumental in positioning BSDL as a market leader in Financial Planning and Products.
Under my leadership, we built Assets Under Management of over Rs 5,000 Crore within a few years of setting up the business — a significant achievement in the industry. I built a distribution network spanning 1,200+ financial intermediaries and branches across India, serving corporate clients, HNIs, and retail investors. I ensured the highest levels of operational integrity and profitability every year during my tenure.
I also served as Editor of "Investime", the financial monthly magazine of Birla Sun Life.
Director of Birla Insurance Advisory Services Limited — a company exclusively selling Birla Sun Life Insurance, part of the Birla Sun Life Ecosystem.
MD & CEO of the Asset Management Company arm of Dawnay Day AV.
As Director at GreenLeaf Wealth, I bring decades of financial services expertise to asset management, investments, and investment advisory. I approach every client relationship with an owner mindset — guiding them across wealth planning, portfolio construction, and long-term capital growth, drawing on a career built across both institutional and entrepreneurial settings.
Education & Executive Programmes
Calcutta University
BSc (Science)
Harvard Business School
Leadership Programme
Wharton Business School
Executive Management
XLRI
Brand Management Programme
ASCI
Marketing of Services
Achievements & Strengths
Built a business from scratch — set up Birla Sun Life Distribution as a green field venture and grew it to over Rs 5,000 Crore in Assets Under Management
Market leadership — positioned BSDL as a market leader in Financial Planning and Products, with a network of 1,200+ intermediaries across India
Excellence in Marketing — awarded by the Indian Express for outstanding contribution to marketing
Brand & loyalty expertise — led brand promotion initiatives and loyalty programmes across ITC Hotels' national portfolio
Strategic resilience — a rare career spanning hospitality, financial distribution, insurance, asset management, and wealth advisory
Personal
I love to travel, read, and am an avid bridge player. Coming from the demanding hotel industry, I have a keen eye for detail and an enthusiasm for the culinary arts. I also actively participate in social and philanthropic activities.