Prof. Atanu Ghosh
Prof. Atanu Ghosh is a renowned academic, corporate strategist, and thought leader whose journey spans over four decades across some of India’s most prestigious institutions and global enterprises. With a rare blend of academic excellence and real-world industry expertise, he has left an indelible mark on both spheres — shaping minds in classrooms and steering strategies in boardrooms.
His academic career began after an illustrious tenure in the textile and apparel industry, where he worked in senior leadership positions in India and abroad. Over 18 years, he held key roles in organizations like Calico Mills, Arvind Mills, Bombay Dyeing, Mafatlal Industries, PT Texmaco Jaya (Jakarta), and Prateek Apparels (Bangalore) — eventually rising to the level of CEO and Whole Time Director. This deep industry experience laid a solid foundation for his later work in strategic thinking and innovation in management education.
Prof. Ghosh transitioned to academia with the same drive and vision that defined his corporate career. He spent over two decades at the Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay, where he served as Professor and helped shape the institute’s academic fabric. His teaching and research focused on business and corporate strategy, innovation, and the management of strategic alliances, inspiring a generation of future leaders.
His tenure at IIM Ahmedabad marked another significant milestone. From 2008 to 2012, he served as a Visiting Professor in the Business Policy area, and more notably, as the Founding Dean of Alumni and External Relations between 2010 and 2012. In this role, he played a pivotal part in organizing the institute’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations, building bridges between alumni, industry, and academia, and strengthening IIMA’s global reputation. He also served as the Faculty Coordinator of Confluence, IIMA’s flagship student-led business summit, for four consecutive years.
In 2020, he took on the leadership role of Dean at the School of Management & Entrepreneurship, IIT Jodhpur, where he continued to mentor faculty and students, and contribute to institutional growth and innovation in management education.
Prof. Ghosh has been a sought-after educator across India’s top business schools. Over the years, he has taught at IIM Calcutta, IIM Udaipur, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, BIM Trichy, IMT Ghaziabad, NITIE, NID, and NIFT Bangalore, among others. His courses on strategy are known for their depth, practical insight, and unique pedagogical style.
A firm believer in experiential learning, Prof. Ghosh designed a highly acclaimed course at IIT Bombay titled “Leadership, Vision & Entrepreneurship,” where more than 80 business and social leaders—from CEOs to founders and policymakers—interacted directly with students. His Leadership Lecture Series became a transformative experience for participants, creating a bridge between academia and the real world of leadership.
Prof. Ghosh also conceptualized and conducted a distinctive four-day executive education program on “Strategies for Organizational Growth,” which ran successfully for eight consecutive years. This program brought senior industry leaders and top-level executives together to share their experiences and insights, fostering peer learning and innovation.
In 2010, he authored “Strategies for Growth,” a widely acclaimed book published by Random House India as part of the IIMA Business Book Series. Released during IIMA’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the book is a reflection of his strategic thinking and deep industry understanding, and it continues to serve as a valuable resource for students, professionals, and business leaders.
An active contributor to academia and industry, Prof. Ghosh has been associated with various academic councils and boards. He currently serves on the Governing Boards of IMT Nagpur, IMT Hyderabad, and IES Management College (Mumbai), and is a member of the Board of Studies at NMIMS Mumbai (Strategy Area) and N.L. Dalmia Institute (Marketing Area). He is also on the Academic Advisory Boards of BIM Trichy and GRG School of Management Studies, Coimbatore.
His affiliations include being a Life Member of the Textile Association of India, a Fellow of the Indian Management Association (FIMA), and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (FIE). He was an elected member of the AIMA Council from 2009 to 2015 and has been a member of the Consumer Complaints Council at the Advertising Standards Council of India since 2015.
Prof. Ghosh holds a B.Sc. Tech in Textile Technology from Calcutta University, an M.Tech from IIT Delhi, a PGDM (equivalent to MBA) from IIM Ahmedabad, and earned his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from IIT Bombay.
Whether mentoring young minds, leading academic institutions, writing books, or advising corporates, Prof. Atanu Ghosh has remained unwavering in his mission: to foster leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation in management practice.