Mr. Harish Chopra joined Management Development Institute Gurgaon (MDI Gurgaon) in April 2025. Prior to joining MDI Gurgaon, he served as Vice President at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) for 5 years. A Chartered Accountant and Certified Treasury and Forex Manager from ICFAI, he has held senior leadership positions in globally reputed institutions and has demonstrated proven capabilities in strategic financial management, policy advocacy, and institutional development. He brings with him over 30 years of wide-ranging professional experience across the banking & financial services, infrastructure & hospitality and academic sectors. His primary interest areas include strategic financial management, public policy & regulatory advocacy, bullion banking & retail banking, administration, treasury & risk management, institution building & governance, and higher education strategy.
     
In the academic domain, Mr. Chopra served as Vice President and Head of the India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC) at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) where he played a pivotal role in elevating the centre’s position into a nationally recognized think tank for gold markets. In addition to leading cutting-edge research and regulatory engagements in the gold markets, he made significant academic contributions, notably by helping to develop the framework for IIMA’s Blended Management Programme and laying the initial groundwork for the launch of the Dubai campus. In the banking space, Mr. Chopra has had a distinguished career with The Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), where he led key portfolios as India Head – Retail Banking, Director – Credit & Risk, and later as Regional Head – Precious Metals. His responsibilities included launching innovative gold market products, executing strategic partnerships, and contributing to policy and regulatory reforms. He played a pivotal role in the launch of Gold Monetization Scheme, structuring and executing ground-breaking money market deal with 2 leading PSU banks, and participated in high-level policy discussions with NITI Aayog, RBI, concerned departments under Finance and Commerce Ministries and GST Council, resulting in impactful regulatory shifts including critical tax exemptions for the industry and resolution of statutory liabilities. Throughout his career, Mr. Chopra has played a transformative role in business model restructuring and financial turnaround strategies, particularly during his tenure as Chief Financial Officer at Royal Orchid Hotels, where he successfully implemented an "Asset Light" model that helped stabilize and reorient the company’s business direction that helped them in rapid expansion. Mr. Chopra is known for his strong liaison with policy makers, regulators, international organizations, law firms, rating agencies, and industry bodies, and is widely recognized for his thought leadership, governance frameworks, and sustainable business & financial practices.

In the time available for himself, Mr. Chopra engages in wildlife and nature photography, music, and sports & fitness activities like badminton, running and gym training. Mr. Chopra can be contacted at [email protected].

Harish Chopra
Chartered Accountant