The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and SAARTHI 360 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch ‘NextGen CEO: Leadership for the Future’, an executive education programme designed to prepare the next generation of jewellery manufacturers for CEO and senior leadership roles in family-owned businesses.
Quick Summary
- IBJA and SAARTHI 360 have signed an MoU to launch ‘NextGen CEO: Leadership for the Future’.
- The executive education programme is designed for the next generation of jewellery manufacturers preparing for CEO and senior leadership roles.
- The initiative focuses on strategic thinking, executive decision-making, leadership succession and governance in family-owned jewellery businesses.
- The programme covers CEO responsibilities, stakeholder management, performance measurement, ethics and the first 100 days as CEO.
- Surendra Mehta, Binit Bhatt and Hitesh Khandelwal shared perspectives on developing future leaders for the gems and jewellery industry.
- The programme aims to support professional management, sustainable growth and leadership continuity in family-owned businesses.
IBJA and SAARTHI 360 Sign MoU to Launch ‘NextGen CEO: Leadership for the Future’
Executive education initiative to equip the next generation of jewellery manufacturers with the leadership capabilities, strategic perspective and decision-making skills required to lead family businesses.
Preparing the Next Generation of Jewellery Business Leaders
Mumbai, 26 October 2026: The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and SAARTHI 360 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch ‘NextGen CEO: Leadership for the Future’, an executive education programme designed to prepare the next generation of jewellery manufacturers for CEO and senior leadership roles in family-owned businesses.
Strengthening Strategic Thinking and Leadership Capabilities
The programme will help emerging leaders move beyond day-to-day operations by strengthening their strategic thinking, leadership judgement and managerial capabilities to improve organisational performance and support sustainable growth.
Building the Next Generation of Jewellery Business Leaders
Centred on ‘NextGen CEO — Becoming the CEO of a Family Jewellery Business’, the programme addresses leadership succession and executive decision-making in family-owned jewellery enterprises.
- Understanding the CEO’s role: Defining a CEO’s responsibilities and expectations in a jewellery business.
- Clarifying leadership and governance roles: Distinguishing among an owner, promoter, director, managing director and CEO.
- Strategic leadership versus daily operations: Moving from routine management to long-term business direction and priorities.
- Decision-making and strategic thinking: Applying structured frameworks to complex business situations.
- Managing stakeholders: Navigating relationships with family members, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.
- Performance measurement: Using a CEO dashboard to monitor performance and support informed decisions.
- The first 100 days as CEO: Establishing priorities for the transition into executive leadership.
- Second-generation leadership challenges: Addressing succession, authority, accountability and organisational change.
- Ethics and integrity: Building trust through responsible leadership, sound governance and ethical decision-making.
Leadership Perspectives
Surendra Mehta, National Secretary, IBJA, 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, 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, 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.”
About the Programme Leaders
Binit Bhatt brings more than 34 years of global leadership experience in the gems and jewellery industry. He is the former CEO of the Gems & Jewellery Skill Council of India and a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), USA. His executive education includes programmes at Harvard University, Purdue University and IIM Kashipur. He is also a visiting faculty member, industry consultant and leadership coach.
Hitesh Khandelwal is a marketing strategist and business growth professional with more than 20 years of experience in the global gems and jewellery industry. His expertise spans national and international marketing, brand communication, public relations and strategic business development, including experience supporting a successful IPO launch. Through SAARTHI 360, he works with next-generation entrepreneurs to strengthen their capabilities in leadership, branding, business growth and strategic management.
About IBJA
The India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. (IBJA) was established in 1919. It serves as a platform for India’s bullion and jewellery trade and describes itself as an apex association for bullion and jewellery associations across the country.
About SAARTHI 360
SAARTHI 360 develops leadership and executive education programmes for businesses in the gems and jewellery industry. Its focus is on helping entrepreneurs, business owners and next-generation leaders strengthen their leadership capabilities, improve strategic decision-making and build organisations equipped for sustainable growth.
FAQs
What is the NextGen CEO programme?
‘NextGen CEO: Leadership for the Future’ is an executive education programme launched through an MoU between IBJA and SAARTHI 360 to prepare the next generation of jewellery manufacturers for CEO and senior leadership roles.
Who is the NextGen CEO programme designed for?
The programme is designed for emerging leaders in family-owned jewellery businesses who are preparing to take on CEO and senior leadership responsibilities.
Which organisations are launching the NextGen CEO programme?
The India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and SAARTHI 360 have signed the MoU to launch the programme.
What topics will the programme cover?
The programme covers CEO responsibilities, leadership and governance roles, strategic thinking, decision-making, stakeholder management, performance measurement, succession challenges, ethics and integrity.
Who are the programme leaders mentioned in the announcement?
Binit Bhatt and Hitesh Khandelwal of SAARTHI 360 are profiled as programme leaders in the announcement.
What is the objective of the NextGen CEO initiative?
The initiative aims to strengthen leadership capabilities, improve strategic decision-making and help the next generation lead family-owned jewellery businesses while supporting sustainable growth.
Source: SVAR Media Network
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