Amongst India's most influential and respected corporate leaders, this man needs no introduction. HDFC Chairman Deepak S Parekh has always made India proud. Whether it was in enabling the almost defunct and fraud-hit Satyam get back on its feet or when he was called to make recommendations on the issues regarding the deteriorating financial health and competitiveness of BSNL. He had a solution for every problem. And it is this quality of a trouble-shooter that makes him a guiding force and an active member of various high-powered Economic Groups, Government-appointed Advisory Committees and Task Forces.

Many awards decorate his persona. Recently, he added another feather to his hat. An FCA, he has become the first international recipient of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales' (ICAEW) Outstanding Achievement Award. An outstanding Bridge player, not many know that he is 66 and was the only corporate honcho of that age who participated in this year's Standard Chartered Marathon.