Isha Ambani Piramal, Akash Ambani, the next-gen leaders at Reliance, are racing ahead to change the game with Jio
The Reliance scions recently joined international game-changers.
By ET Online | Updated:
BCCL
Working tirelessly behind the scenes, the brother-sister duo, Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani, like to keep their private lives private.
Reliance heirs Isha Ambani Piramal and Akash Ambani recently joined Adar Poonawalla, the Serum Institute of India CEO who has become a household name during the pandemic with his company manufacturing millions of doses of Oxford's still-under-trial Covid vaccine, Janine Pelosi, the CMO of Zoom - a company that has become an important part of the 'new normal', and Byju Raveendran, the man behind India's online education game changer Byju's, on Fortune's 40 Under 40 list. But the 28-year-olds, who serve as Directors on the Reliance Jio Board, are not new to the world of fame, or lists.
The magazine describes the twins' lives as 'enviable' with "private concerts featuring Beyoncé, partying with buddies Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, living it up in a 27-storey residential skyscraping pleasure palace in Mumbai."
Going on to add, "When the glam siblings are not basking in unfathomable luxury, they’re training—along with their younger brother, Anant, 25, a more recent addition to Jio’s board—to take on their father’s empire."
But this training to join their father's 47-year-old USD 123.8 billion oil and petrochemical conglomerate Reliance Industries began early on when Akash graduated from Brown University with a degree in economics, and Isha, having received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and South Asian studies from Yale University, went on to earn a Master's degree from Stanford. A short stint at McKinsey followed, before she returned home and joined her father and brother at the family-run empire.
Isha and Akash both completed their graduation at American universities before returning home to join the family-run empire. In the years that have followed, the twins have been instrumental in the growth of Jio.
ADVERTISEMENT
"As Jio board members, they helped seal the company’s recent megadeal with Facebook—$5.7 billion for a 9.99% stake—plus major follow-on investments from marquee tech titans like Google, Qualcomm, and Intel. The flurry of investments lent the business an eye-popping $65 billion private valuation," Fortune said in its description of the scions' professional journey.
And now even as the pandemic rages they have their goals set for Jio Mart, a platform touted to take on Jeff Bezos's Amazon.
Working tirelessly behind the scenes, the brother-sister duo like to keep their private lives private. The exception to the case being their extravagant weddings to Shloka Mehta and Anand Piramal, respectively, the celebrations for which took place around the globe from St Moritz to Mumbai, and Lake Como to Udaipur.
Their other public appearances are mostly business-related with Akash being spotted at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions and their team Mumbai Indians' matches, and Isha at outings for the philanthropic arm of the company, Reliance Foundation.
ADVERTISEMENT
The one event that they are, however, regulars at is the RIL AGM. The annual affair sees the entire Ambani clan in attendance, and this year's event - the first to be held virtually due to the pandemic - was no different in that regard. ‘Prince’ Akash and ‘princess’ Isha, as they are addressed by the shareholders, virtually spoke to the Reliance family about Jio Fibre, Jio Mart and also introduced the ambitious mixed reality headset ‘Jio Glass’ that will enable users to conduct holographic video calls with 3D figures of themselves.
Pandemic or not, these heirs are set to conquer new peaks, one day at a time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ambani's Jets, Mittal's Yachts: Luxurious Rides Of The Ultra-Rich
1/9
Private yachts and customised planes. Check out the travel modes of the jet set that double up as meeting venues, party hangouts and spots to host special occasions.
For those Indians — and those with desi roots — who are counted among the world’s wealthy, island hopping in Europe aboard their customised 200-feet yacht or taking off in their bespoke jet across the continent are but a way of putting a monogram on their commute. Take a look at the rides of the jet set:
Private yachts and customised planes. Check out the travel modes of the jet set that double up as meeting venues, party hangouts and spots to host special occasions.For those Indians — and those with..
Read More
In 2014, this London-based billionaire was spotted relaxing on the Greek island of Mykonos, dressed casually in a white T-shirt and baggy shorts. A newspaper report speculated that while Mittal lounged on the beach alongside other tourists, his 262-feet-long yacht Amevi was parked in the waters nearby. Some amenities on board: Sun decks, a heated swimming pool, a cinema, a gym, a massage room, a hairdressing salon as well as a unique, stabilised pool table to name a few.
In 2014, this London-based billionaire was spotted relaxing on the Greek island of Mykonos, dressed casually in a white T-shirt and baggy shorts. A newspaper report speculated that while Mittal loung..
Read More
More than a decade ago, it was reported that Ambani gifted his wife, Nita, a private jet on her 44th birthday. It was said at the time that this jet was “custom-fitted with an office and a cabin with game consoles, music systems, satellite television and wireless communication. It also has a master bedroom, a bathroom with a range of showers and a bar with mood lighting”. As his personal ride, Ambani reportedly favours a Boeing Business Jet. “Most often, they want access to the same amenities in the air.” That’s how the airplane maker describes their customer’s requirement, a.k.a, a flying home, as that’s what’s wanted.
More than a decade ago, it was reported that Ambani gifted his wife, Nita, a private jet on her 44th birthday. It was said at the time that this jet was “custom-fitted with an office and a cabin with..
Read More
“The ultimate guest and owner’s yacht.” That’s how the captain of Sunrays, delivered in March 2010 describes it. According to a description of the yacht available on the Oceanco’s website, “The upper deck is given over to the owner’s suite and an adjacent VIP suite that can be combined to create one expansive living area. Both suites have fold-down sea balconies. The owner’s exterior foredeck hosts a whirlpool and sunbathing area. The remainder of the yacht’s accommodations for up to 16 guests is on the main deck with one VIP stateroom and four guest cabins.” The large dining room can be converted into a video conference room with the optional use of the adjacent library. Foldable sea balconies provide guests unimpeded views while dining.
“The ultimate guest and owner’s yacht.” That’s how the captain of Sunrays, delivered in March 2010 describes it. According to a description of the yacht available on the Oceanco’s website, “The upper..
Read More
A blog published by an apparel brand, owned by the Aditya Birla Group, documented the private jets of India’s rich and famous. The listicle included the jets owned by Birla, the Group’s chairman. It said, “Few people know that this sharp, business-minded entrepreneur also has a sweet tooth, when it comes to sweet flying machines, with his Gulf Stream (G100) and Cessna Citation...It’s believed that Citations are the world’s most established, well-liked and most trusted fleet of business jets. The jet has high-tech design of pilot-friendly flight decks and luxury cabin interiors. Birla is often spotted taking a ride in his luxurious aircrafts.”
A blog published by an apparel brand, owned by the Aditya Birla Group, documented the private jets of India’s rich and famous. The listicle included the jets owned by Birla, the Group’s chairman. It ..
Read More
This Dubai-based billionaire’s yacht is apparently a fixture in the Mediterranean and was even spotted at the French Riviera around the time that the Cannes Film Festival was held this year, with others in the list for company. Vaswani, who is considered to be one of the richest Indians in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, was once described as he “who lives on multiple continents and sails the Mediterranean each summer in an all-purpose luxury yacht”. The logo of the Stallion Group, which he heads, adorns the yacht.
This Dubai-based billionaire’s yacht is apparently a fixture in the Mediterranean and was even spotted at the French Riviera around the time that the Cannes Film Festival was held this year, with oth..
Read More
Tata’s love for aviation is an open secret. But he is perhaps one of the handful of billionaires in the world who not only owns a private jet, but even flies one. “A lot of people know that Ratan Tata owns a Dassault Falcon 2000 private jet but, what they do not know is that since Tata is a trained pilot, he even flies his own private jet and other jets owned by the Tata group,” said an earlier report.
Tata’s love for aviation is an open secret. But he is perhaps one of the handful of billionaires in the world who not only owns a private jet, but even flies one. “A lot of people know that Ratan Tat..
Read More
“While watching the boat slowly taking shape in Rendsburg, we suddenly became aware of how seductive and mysterious she seemed. We just knew then that we had to call her SIREN and we are absolutely delighted with the result.” That’s the quote attributed to the owner of the 241 feet-long Siren, on the website of Nobiskrug, the German company that built the yacht. Presumably the owner quoted in question is either David Reuben or his brother Simon. Commonly referred to as the Reuben Brothers, they trace their roots back to Mumbai, and are counted among the UK’s richest individuals. Theirs is an award-winning superyacht with a foldable helicopter platform, that can double up as “a sundeck, a dance floor or a stage”.
“While watching the boat slowly taking shape in Rendsburg, we suddenly became aware of how seductive and mysterious she seemed. We just knew then that we had to call her SIREN and we are absolutely d..
Read More
Earlier this year, this scion became the first Indian to take delivery of a fully customised, ACH145 helicopter by Airbus. While his new ride, with a seating capacity of eight is great for covering relatively shorter distances, his Gulfstream G550 aircraft is reportedly his transportation of choice for long-haul journeys. In an earlier interview, Poonawalla had said, “With a 13-hour range, it (his jet) can take me to anywhere in the world with a single halt.” The report further added, “The plane can also come in handy when he (Poonawalla) craves continental food and in case he wants to fly in Michelin star chefs to cook for his friends and him.”
Earlier this year, this scion became the first Indian to take delivery of a fully customised, ACH145 helicopter by Airbus. While his new ride, with a seating capacity of eight is great for covering r..
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Isha Ambani Piramal, Akash Ambani, the next-gen leaders at Reliance, are racing ahead to change the game with JioText Size:AAA
