Change is her prescription. And where else would Shobana Kamineni put into practice her corporate philosophy than at Apollo Hospitals Enterprises, founded by her father, Pratap C Reddy, who is Executive Chairman.
Kamineni, who was recently appointed as Executive Director-Special Initiatives, says the focus of the group is to hit revenues of $2 billion (around '9,200 crore). She describes her appointment as a mere formality — she was employee number 3 at Apollo Hospitals.
But that doesn’t mean she’s had it easy. “We may be seen as owners, but we are also professional employees,” says Kamineni, who remembers putting in long hours in the business when she was just 20.
A degree holder in Economics with 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, Kamineni says after growing from being a family-run concern to one with professional management and private equity, the group has entered its third phase. The thrust during this phase will be on improving the quality of leadership and reorganising the business — with McKinsey’s help.
Kamineni has been entrusted with overseeing three main business verticals —insurance, pharmacy and research — that contribute almost half the group’s revenues. She will also spearhead new initiatives, collaborations, expansion, education and others. “My strength is calculative risk-taking and aggression. My weakness is that I am excited about every business,” says Kamineni.
An avid sportsperson, Kamineni was a national-level squash player. Her other interests include social development for women. She is married to Anil Kamineni and has two daughters and a son.
