Founders
Vikram Singh Gulia
Transformational Business Leader | MD & CEO | Tea Value Chain Expert
Vikram Singh Gulia is a transformational leader with over 37 years of experience in the tea and agri-business sector, spanning the entire value chain — from soil to shelf. With hands-on expertise across India’s tea heartlands—Assam, Dooars, Cachar, and Darjeeling—his domain knowledge covers CTC, Orthodox, Green, and premium Darjeeling teas. As Managing Director & CEO of Amalgamated Plantations Pvt. Ltd. (Tata Group) from 2019 to 2024, Vikram led one of India’s largest tea companies through a bold turnaround journey. Under his leadership, the company moved from negative EBITDA to sustained profitability, doubling its turnover. This transformation was powered by quality-led factory and field modernization, team capability building, supply chain efficiencies, and market-facing brand strategies — positioning the company for long-term resilience and growth. From reviving legacy plantations to executing large-scale replanting and productivity enhancement programs, Vikram has consistently converted underperforming assets into future-ready enterprises. His earlier leadership at Goodricke included transforming a Under Performing consumer division into a high-margin business, scaling volumes by 2.5x, turnover by 4x, and profits by 5x. Between 2022 and 2024, Vikram also played a national leadership role as Chairman of the Tea Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). In this capacity, he constituted and led a high-powered, inclusive committee representing the full spectrum of the Indian tea ecosystem — from producers, plantation owners, and small tea growers to packers, retailers, brokers, and entrepreneurs. The committee worked on sector-wide reforms, policy inputs, and structural recommendations for rejuvenating the Indian tea industry. A strong advocate for exports and value addition, Vikram launched premium tea brands and led initiatives that expanded exports by over 300%, with partnerships including Starbucks and Taj Hotels. He has also closely engaged with small tea growers, annually sourcing 75 million kilos of green leaf while enabling quality and income enhancements at the grassroots level. Vikram Singh Gulia is widely recognized for his ability to blend strategic vision with operational excellence, creating impact across agribusiness transformation, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and industry leadership.
Former Head of Plantations – McLeod Russel India Ltd.
With over four decades of leadership at the world’s foremost tea producer, Ashok played a pivotal role in fostering operational excellence, ensuring McLeod Russel India Ltd. maintained its global reputation as the largest producer of premium-quality teas for marquee label owners worldwide. He oversaw global operations across India, Vietnam, and Uganda, leading the managerial team in driving skill development and product innovation, elevating industry standards over the years. Additionally, Ashok was instrumental in the seamless operational integration of estates acquired from Unilever, aligning them with MRIL’s commitment to excellence. Beyond his contributions at MRIL, Ashok also served as Chairman of the Assam Branch of the Indian Tea Association and Additional Vice Chairman of the Tea Research Association, playing a crucial role in shaping industry policies, research, and sustainable growth.
Tea agriculture expert. Former Director at Tocklai Research Association, Jorhat, Assam.
Dr. A. Babu, a distinguished Entomologist, had a remarkable Career in Entomology and Tea Research has retired as Director of the Tocklai Tea Research Institute. Dr. Babu’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. from Pioneer Kumaraswamy College, Nagercoil, in 1984, followed by an M.Sc. from Scott Christian College, Nagercoil, in 1986. He earned his Ph.D. in 1992 from the Entomology Research Institute at Loyola College, Chennai (affiliated with Madras University), under the guidance of world-renowned entomologist Prof. Dr. T. N. Ananthakrishnan. After a brief tenure at his alma mater, Loyola College, Dr. Babu advanced his expertise through post-doctoral research under Prof. Silvia Dorn, at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), focusing on applied entomology.
Dr. Babu’s association with the tea industry began in 2002 when he joined the UPASI Tea Research Institute, serving as an Entomologist and later as Head of the Division of Entomology. In 2011, he moved to the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, where he rose through the ranks, becoming Chief Scientist & Deputy Director in 2019 and Director in 2022. Over his career, Dr. Babu earned the admiration of tea planters across South and North India for his contributions to the industry. Dr. Babu’s legacy in the tea industry and entomology will remain a source of inspiration to his peers and successors. Dr. A. BABU is currently serving as the Adviser, UPASI Tea Research Foundation.
Brand marketing & consumer business specialist: Former
SUMMARY FMCG professional having operated in blue chip companies at General Management and director levels covering sales, marketing, manufacturing and supply chain in the UK & internationally. Worked and lived in many markets including, India, Russia, Poland, Turkey & South Africa. In-depth experience of tea markets. KEY DELIVERABLES: Working with teams to develop & implement business plans that deliver strategic clarity & organisational alignment against key objectives:
Commercial crop and plantation planning Expert who has hands on experience in managing large plantations like POWAI at 5 million kilos production besides exposure to Africa and other agri crops in the NE India.
Rupinder Singh Tea & Specialty Agriculture Consultant, a seasoned agricultural expert with over four decades of global experience in tea plantation management, horticulture for export markets, and agricultural engineering. Rupinder Singh has led large-scale operations across India and Africa, driving profitability through sustainable, zero-waste solutions and innovative farming practices. With a background in Agricultural Engineering and a specialization in Food & Dairy Technology, he has held senior leadership roles in top agro-enterprises, managing everything from rose exports to tea estates and seed propagation projects. A strategic planner and strong team leader, Rupinder excels in implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), crisis management, pest control, and optimizing agribusiness operations for maximum efficiency and quality.
Water management & irrigation expert having guided hundreds of tea estates with irrigation solutions and water management expertise.
Rathindra Nath Chatterjee is a seasoned Water Management Consultant with over 49 years of expertise in irrigation, drainage, and sustainable water practices. A Chartered Engineer, he specializes in hydraulic design for plantations, water supply networks, dewatering systems, and river pumping stations. Rathin has contributed to projects across India, Africa, and Asia, advising organizations like Solidaridad Netherlands, Tea Board of India, and governments in Lesotho, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. As proprietor of RNC Consultancy Services, he has led landmark projects in sustainable irrigation for agriculture and industry. Rathin’s hands-on experience spans tea, coffee, maize, and wheat plantations, as well as hospitality projects such as hydraulic systems for the Taj Group. His commitment to sustainable water solutions and ground-breaking design excellence makes him a respected figure in global water management initiatives.
Specialised Recruitment Expert & leadership development coach.
Ivan is the founder of Resource Infinite, a recruitment and executive search firm focused on performance-based hiring. With over two decades of experience, Ivan has helped organizations build high-performing teams by aligning talent strategy with business goals. His expertise spans leadership hiring, recruitment process design, and talent consulting across diverse industries. Central to Ivan’s approach is his 5-Point Plan—a proprietary framework that evaluates candidates across five key dimensions: Initial Impact and Soft Skills, Mental Abilities, Knowledge and Experience, Motivation, and Adjustment. This structured methodology ensures hiring decisions are both skill-based and culturally aligned, enabling clients to onboard talent that delivers results from day one. Ivan’s professional journey began in the tea gardens of North Bengal, where he started as a trainee with a multinational plantation company. He later led initiatives in operational system redesign, production planning, inventory control, and line balancing in continuous process industries—achieving measurable improvements in efficiency and profitability.
His entrepreneurial drive led to the creation of Resource Infinite (www.resourceinfinite.com), a firm that today partners with companies across India. Under his leadership, the firm is recognized for its rigorous selection standards, deep domain understanding, and a commitment to hiring outcomes—not just processes.
Architect & Urban Designer | Heritage & Retail Specialist
Arvinder Singh brings over 30 years of experience in architecture, interior design, and urban development across India. He is the Co-founder of Junescape.One, a Gurgaon-based consultancy known for its work in heritage restoration and retail design. Among his most acclaimed projects is the creation of Margaret’s Deck Tea Lounge in Darjeeling for the Goodricke Group — an iconic venue that has become a must-visit destination for tourists and tea lovers alike. His portfolio also includes retail rollouts for Tata Motors and Hero Cycles, and branded interiors for leading global electronics brands such as Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. He serves as Director at Sehreeti Developmental Practices Foundation, focusing on sustainable urbanism, ecological restoration, and community-led placemaking. His work spans restoration of natural water systems in Gurgaon and public space interventions like the Janpath Metro art installation and the Tau sculpture. Currently, Arvinder is also Country Manager (India) at Delvento Home, a global FF&E firm offering comprehensive interior and architectural solutions across multiple countries.