Under Balfour’s leadership, Blue Dart remains one of India’s Most Innovative and Awarded Express Logistics Companies
Inducts Prakash Apte and Padmini Khare Kaicker on the Board as Independent Directors
by Suman Gupta
3rd August, 2022, Mumbai: Blue Dart Express Limited, South Asia’s premier express air and integrated transportation and distribution logistics company has re-appointed Balfour Manuel as Managing Director for another term of 5 years with effect from 16th May, 2022. The shareholders of the Company approved his re-appointment at the recently held Annual General Meeting.
Balfour Manuel has been instrumental in the success of Blue Dart since its inception. He has been with the organization since its initial days in 1983 and has played a key role in focusing its ‘People Centric’ philosophy. ‘Customer Focus’ remains a key priority led by a ‘Customer Centric Culture’ which makes Blue Dart a ‘Provider of Choice’, ‘Investment of Choice’ and an ‘Employer of Choice’. He is responsible for the organization’s market-differentiating capabilities which includes an extensive ground network as well as robust air network supported by the organization’s own fleet of aircraft and an extensive reach of over 55,000 locations across the nation.
Sharad Upasani, Chairman, Blue Dart commented, “Despite the VUCA environment, under Balfour’s leadership, we are elated to see the robust growth that Blue Dart has achieved in the last four years. His extensive knowledge and all-round experience in the logistics sector has enabled the organisation to surpass emerging challenges and remain a leader in the logistics space. We are optimistic that, the ensuing years, will be more rewarding and Blue Dart will continue to deliver excellent results year over years.
On this occasion, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart said, “The next five years are going to be challenging and I am grateful to have this opportunity to set new benchmarks. Like always, we will persistently focus on overall sustainable growth and expansion and remain the nation’s trade facilitator and a deeply customer-centric brand, offering wide range of logistics solutions that cater to our customers’ needs. With a keen focus on technology & digitalization, infrastructure, strengthening of our aircraft fleet, our brand and ‘people connect’, we will continue to remain a Provider of Choice, consistently working towards the group’s credo, ‘Connecting People, Improving Lives.”
Further, Blue Dart has strengthened its present Board composition with the induction of Prakash Apte and Padmini Khare Kaicker as Independent Directors of the Company for a term of 5 years, effective from 28th July, 2022.
About Prakash Apte and Padmini Khare Kaicker; Prakash Apte has a B.E. (Mechanical) degree from the University of Pune and holds a Diploma in Business Management from the University of Mumbai. His professional career spans over 40 years, most of which has been with multinationals in various positions related to Specialty Chemicals, Pharma & Agribusiness industries. Prakash brings with him, immense experience in the areas of Global Business & Strategy, Finance, Governance, Leadership and Personal Values.
Padmini Khare Kaicker is a qualified Chartered Accountant from ICAI. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (USA) and holds a Diploma in Business Finance from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India. She is Managing Partner of B. K. Khare & Co., one of the leading and reputed Indian Accounting Firms. Padmini brings with her, immense experience in the areas of Strategy, Finance, Risk & Governance, business and organisational matters.
About Blue Dart:Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia’s premier express air and integrated transportation and distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 55,000 locations in India. As a part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce Solutions division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.
The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart’s market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which includes recognition as one of ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India’s Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India’s Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2020 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2021 by the Economic Times.
Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.
