Salim Gangadharan
Salim Gangadharan | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 30, 1953 Kerala, India |
| Occupation | Banker |
| Known for | Chairman of South Indian Bank; Principal Chief General Manager and Regional Director at Reserve Bank of India |
Salim Gangadharan (born 30 October 1953) is a distinguished Indian banker currently serving as the Chairman of South Indian Bank. His prior roles include Principal Chief General Manager and Regional Director for Kerala and Lakshadweep at the Reserve Bank of India. Additionally, he has held board positions at Syndicate Bank and Central Bank of India.
Early life and education
Hailing from Kerala, Gangadharan completed his postgraduate studies in economics at the University of Kerala and holds a certification as an associate from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance.
Career and achievements
Gangadharan launched his professional journey with the Reserve Bank of India as a Grade-B Officer, focusing on areas such as banking supervision, foreign exchange control, and regulation of financial markets. He served as an instructor at the Bankers Training College in Mumbai and spent five years working with the Central Bank of Oman. In 2006, he was appointed Chief General Manager of RBI’s Foreign Exchange Department. By March 2011, he took on the role of Regional Director overseeing West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, before being reassigned in April 2012 as Regional Director for Kerala and Lakshadweep. Subsequently, he advanced to Principal Chief General Manager.
In January 2014, Gangadharan joined the board of South Indian Bank as an independent director and later that year was elevated to non-executive Chairman, succeeding Amitabha Guha.
Major contributions
As convener of the Task Force on Capital Account Convertibility, Salim Gangadharan significantly influenced India's foreign exchange policies. He also contributes as an advisor to both the National Institute of Education and Training and the National Institute of Skill Enhancement, playing an active role in initiatives aimed at workforce development.
Important assignments
- Principal Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India
- Regional Director for regions including Kerala, Lakshadweep, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Secretary, LB, RBI
- Chairman, South Indian Bank
- Board Member at Central Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, National Clearing Corporation, and Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board
- Short-term Expert with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)