IBJA, SAARTHI 360 Join Hands to Develop Future Leaders in the Jewellery Industry

The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and SAARTHI 360 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce ‘NextGen CEO: Leadership for the Future’, an executive education programme aimed at preparing the next generation of jewellery manufacturers to take on CEO and senior leadership positions in family-run businesses.

The initiative seeks to equip emerging leaders with the strategic vision, decision-making skills and managerial expertise needed to move beyond routine operations, enhance organisational performance and drive sustainable business growth.

Empowering the Next Generation of Jewellery Business Leaders

Titled ‘NextGen CEO — Becoming the CEO of a Family Jewellery Business’, the programme focuses on leadership development, succession planning and strategic decision-making within family-owned jewellery enterprises.

Key areas covered under the programme include:

• Understanding the CEO’s Role: Exploring the responsibilities, expectations and strategic contributions of a CEO in a jewellery business.
• Leadership and Governance: Defining the distinct roles of owners, promoters, directors, managing directors and CEOs.
• Strategic Vision and Business Management: Enabling leaders to transition from daily operational responsibilities to long-term planning and business strategy.
• Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making: Introducing structured approaches to handling complex business challenges and making informed decisions.
• Stakeholder Management: Developing the ability to manage relationships with family members, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.
• Business Performance Monitoring: Using CEO dashboards and performance indicators to evaluate progress and guide business decisions.
• The First 100 Days as CEO: Establishing priorities and defining an effective roadmap for transitioning into a leadership role.
• Second-Generation Leadership Challenges: Addressing succession planning, authority, accountability and organisational transformation.
• Ethics and Corporate Governance: Promoting integrity, responsible decision-making and trust-based leadership.

Industry Leaders Highlight the Importance of Leadership Development

Surendra Mehta, National Secretary, IBJA, emphasised the importance of preparing future leaders to sustain the growth and legacy of family-owned jewellery businesses.

He said, “Family-owned jewellery businesses play a significant role in India’s gems and jewellery industry. As these businesses grow and prepare for generational transitions, developing capable and confident future leaders becomes increasingly important. Through this initiative, we aim to help the next generation build the clarity, discipline and leadership capabilities needed to take their businesses forward while preserving the strengths of their family legacy.”

Binit Bhatt, Partner, SAARTHI 360, highlighted that effective leadership requires a shift in mindset, moving beyond operational management towards strategic direction, accountability and stakeholder confidence.

He said, “Becoming a CEO is about much more than inheriting a title. It requires a fundamental shift in mindset—from managing day-to-day operations to setting direction, making informed decisions, building accountability and earning the confidence of family members, employees and other stakeholders. The NextGen CEO programme is designed to equip emerging leaders with practical frameworks and perspectives that they can apply to the realities of their own businesses.”

Hitesh Khandelwal, Partner, SAARTHI 360, underscored the need to balance family business heritage with professional management practices and forward-looking strategies.

He said, “Jewellery businesses are navigating an important generational transition, where preserving a strong legacy must go hand in hand with professional management and strategic thinking. Through NextGen CEO, we aim to help emerging leaders develop the confidence, capabilities and business perspective required to lead effectively, drive sustainable growth and prepare their organisations for the future.”

Through this collaboration, IBJA and SAARTHI 360 aim to strengthen leadership capabilities within the jewellery sector, helping family-owned enterprises navigate generational transitions, adopt professional management practices and build a strong foundation for long-term success.