Yuwadee Chirathivat was honoured as the tops in Forbes’ top 50 Asian businesswomen list who has guided her family’s 65-year-old firm, Central Department Store, from a single general store to megamalls that offer everything from fine dining and entertainment to jewelry, even automobiles.
Yuwadee Chirathivat is among the 50 individuals honoured for determining a major part of their business surroundings as founder-entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders of family enterprises and professional managers who have scaled through executive ranks.
According to Forbes magazine, women on the list are chosen for their hands-on management of profit-seeking companies, and many of the honourees have overcome important fence to get where they are at present.
The new tops in Forbes’ top 50 Asian businesswomenlist is a targeted survey of powerful women in Asian business. It reflects Asia’s remarkable economic rise and the diverse and dynamic ways in which women are wielding power and influence in a region that has become a breeding ground for entrepreneurship, investment, corporate expansion and economic opportunity.
The list reflects Asia’s remarkable economic rise and the diverse and dynamic ways in which women are wielding power and influence in a region that has become a hotbed for entrepreneurship, investment, corporate expansion and economic opportunity.
On thethe tops in Forbes’ top 50 Asian businesswomen, women from Greater China (mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) dominate the list with 21, or 42 per cent of the 50 Asian Businesswomen list.
India accounts for eight women on the the tops in Forbes’ top 50 Asian businesswomen(16 per cent), Singapore for five (10 per cent) and South Korea and Indonesia each for four (8 per cent). Japan sees three women on the list (6 per cent) and Australia two (4 per cent).
The Asian Businesswomen list also features one woman each from the Philippines and Vietnam.
The tops in Forbes’ top 50 Asian businesswomen Honourees from India include: India’s richest self-made woman who founded are
Chanda Kochchar ICICI Bank, CEO and MD
Kochhar has consistently figured in Fortune’s list of “Most Powerful Women in Business” since 2005. In 2009, she debuted at number 20 in the Forbes “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list” and climbed to the 10th spot in 2010.
Kochhar is honoured with Padma Bhushan Award, the third highest civilian honour by the Government of India for the year 2010 for her services to banking sector.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Biocon, Founder
She entered into more than 2,200 high-value R&D licensing and other deals within the pharmaceuticals and bio-pharmaceutical space between 2005 and 2010 and helped Biocon expand its global footprint to emerging and developed markets through acquisitions, partnerships and in-licensing. Her belief that healthcare needs can only be met with affordable innovation has been the driving philosophy that has helped Biocon manufacture and market drugs cost-effectively.
Shikha Sharma, Axis Bank, CEO and Managing Director
She took over Axis Bank – formerly UTI Bank, the third largest bank after State Bank of India and ICICI Bank – in June 2009. Axis Bank’s performance since she took charge has been admirable.
Vinita Bali Britannia Industries, Managing Director
Vinita Bali was appointed Managing Director on 31st May 2006. Vinita joined as Chief Executive Officer of the Company in January 2005.She joined Britannia in 2005 as CEO. She has worked with global heavyweights like Cadbury’s and Coca-Cola
Shobhana Bhartia HT Media, Chairman and Editorial Director
She looks after editorial as well as financial aspects, and is credited with raising Rs. 400 crore through a public equity launch of the HT Media group in September 2005.
In February 2006, Shobhana was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, on a recommendation by the ruling United Progressive Alliance headed by Sonia Gandhi. She has received the Global Leader of Tomorrow award by the World Economic Forum (1996).
Ekta Kapoor Balaji Telefilms Joint MD and Creative Director
She has produced numerous soap opera, television series and movies. Her most popular television series include Hum Paanch, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kkusum.
The years 2010 and 2011 proved to be important for her with critical and commercial successes such as Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor in the City, Ragini MMS and The Dirty Picture. Her upcoming productions include Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum, Lootera, Shootout at Wadala, Rock The Shaadi & Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2.
Mallika Srinivasa Tractors &Farm Equipment, Chairman
In 1986, she was made the General Manager of Tafe (Tractors and Farm Equipment) Company. When she took over the responsibility, the turnover of the Company was Rs 85 cr. Under the expert guidance of her father and the whole hearted support of the team, she brought about a major transformation. She converted Tafe into a Hi- technology-oriented company, thereby becoming the initial choice of the farmers.
Zia Mody AZB & Partners, Founder and Senior Partner
Zia Mody is a prominent Indian legal consultant and an active member of the Bahá’í faith. She is considered an authority on corporate merger and acquisition law, securities law, private equity and project finance.
The initial list of Asia’s 50 Power Businesswomen aims to honour women who form an important part of their business environment as founder-entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders of family enterprises and professional managers who have scaled through executive ranks.
Women on the top 50 Asian Businesswomen list were chosen for their practical management of profit-seeking companies, and many of them have overcome significant barriers to get where they are at present.
