Widely recognised as an eminent industrialist, Agnivesh Agarwal, chairman, Hindustan Zinc Limited (a Vedanta Group company) has a rich knowledge of business operations and extensive experience in efficiently managing large projects, business restructuring and strategic planning.
Agarwal has been the chairman of Hindustan Zinc since 2005 and says that his journey with the company has been a “fascinating” one. “Setting global benchmarks while establishing new plants and consistently increasing production levels and simultaneously keeping the cost among the lowest in the world has always been a challenge,” he says. He takes pride in being a part of the process of making Hindustan Zinc the “Zinc of India” and calls it a “beyond business deal”.
Speaking of the role zinc plays in our lives, Agarwal says that its deficiency in any form, whether it is in the automobile, railway and fertiliser industry or in terms of nutrition, will only dampen infrastructure and society. Further, he says that the company has a strong focus on silver production, and is aiming to augment it from 500 tonnes at present to 1,000 tonnes in the future.
Of his current responsibilities, Agarwal says, “We are a large team at Hindustan Zinc and believe in taking collective responsibilities and decisions. Our chief executive officer drives the company and we are there to support the execution.” Besides, his working style of giving complete freedom to his team to take decisions at any level has helped the company build leaders among its own employees.
Agarwal considers a work-life balance to be a necessity, but not at the cost of growth. He believes that once you take up responsibilities on your shoulder there are many others that need your support. “I believe in challenges; you work to accomplish your goal” he says.
Agarwal devotes his spare time to reading and undertaking research. He likes doing meditation and yoga regularly and says that this gives him energy and peace of mind. Hailing from a well-knit family that is always looking to spend time together, Agarwal considers his father and grandfather to be his inspiration and mentors, and feels that he has imbibed the quality of being simple but determined from his father. Meanwhile, he says that his mother and sister have been pillars of support for him. Agarwal is an alumnus of the renowned Sydhenam College, University of Mumbai and holds a degree in commerce.