Do you usually think about what makes specific leaders stand out in India’s real estate business?

With the sector aiming to contribute $5.8 trillion by 2047, increasing its share of GDP from 7.3% to 15.5%, leadership is not just about building projects; it’s about shaping the future with responsibility.

Yet, rapid growth brings challenges, from maintaining investor trust to ensuring sustainable urban development. The industry needs visionaries who can balance scale with with ethics, innovation, and long-term value.

In this blog, you will know the top 10 leaders to follow in real estate business, along with insights from their personal journeys and the companies they lead. By understanding their approaches, developers, investors, and professionals can gain practical lessons for long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Following industry leaders reveals strategic decision-making in land acquisition, township development, and urban planning.

• Observing their product differentiation helps identify successful models in residential, commercial, and retail real estate.

• Execution, discipline and governance are essential for on-time project delivery and sustainable growth.

• Leadership insights highlight emerging market trends, investment opportunities, and regulatory shifts.

• Studying their career journeys provides lessons in resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.

Why Follow Leaders in Real Estate?

Strong leaders in real estate do not just grow companies; they shape markets and inspire new practises. Here are 5 reasons you should follow them:

• Gain Market Foresight: Top leaders read market cycles early, from affordable housing demand to luxury segment slowdowns. Tracking their moves gives you timely cues on where to invest or scale back.

• Learn Innovation First-Hand: From sustainable green buildings to digital platforms, leaders show how innovation is applied on the ground. Observing them helps you implement proven strategies, not just theories.

• Understand Policy Influence: Industry veterans often consult with government bodies like RERA or CREDAI. Their public views often foreshadow policy updates, giving you a head start in compliance and planning.

• Spot Investment Opportunities: When leaders acquire land in new corridors or partner with global funds, it signals emerging hotspots. Following them helps investors and professionals align with profitable trends before they peak.

Recommended Reading: Expert Strategies for Successful Property Investment for Beginners in India

• Build a Professional Mindset: Beyond business, their journeys demonstrate persistence, adaptability, and customer-centricity. They provide lessons in leadership that transcend real estate.

With these reasons in mind, let’s discuss the best leaders to follow in real estate business today.

Must-Know Leaders to Follow in Real Estate Business 

Leadership shapes strategy, governance, product design and city-building. Here are 10 well-known figures who illustrate different routes to scale, quality, and resilience in India’s property sector. Follow them to learn investment signals, development models and management choices that matter now

1. Ashwinder R. Singh – Vice Chairman and CEO, BCD Group

Ashwinder R. Singh is one of the most dynamic leaders in Indian real estate. With a career spanning banking, PropTech, advisory, and authorship, he blends financial acumen with innovation. His leadership at BCD Group reflects a forward-looking approach rooted in strong values.

Unique facts about Ashwinder R. Singh

1. Banking to Real Estate Transition: Started in leading banks like Citibank, Deutsche Bank, and ICICI, where he honed skills in capital management and strategy before shifting to real estate.

2. PropTech Innovator: Co-founded IndiaHomes (2012), among India’s earliest PropTech startups, and later co-founded ANAROCK in 2017, becoming its first CEO.

3. Author and Thought Leader: Wrote three bestselling books, including Master Residential Real Estate, which gained national visibility when featured on Shark Tank India.

4. Industry Leadership: Serves as Chairman of the CII Real Estate Committee and Advisor to NAR-India, directly shaping sector policies and best practises.

5. Personal Legacy of Service: Son of the Late Colonel Sirinder Raj Singh, a war veteran who sacrificed his life on a UN peacekeeping mission in 1993.

2. Rajiv Singh – Chairman, DLF

Rajiv Singh combines engineering expertise with strategic foresight, steering DLF through a transformative era. His leadership blends technical precision, diversification, and long-term revenue growth, continuing the legacy of one of India’s most iconic real estate companies.

Unique facts about Rajiv Singh

1. Engineering-Driven Leadership: Holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from MIT, applying technical insight to large-scale projects like Gurgaon’s satellite city.

2. Planned Succession: Became DLF Chairman in 2020 after serving as Vice Chairman since 1999, ensuring a smooth generational transition from his father, K.P. Singh.

3. Annuity Business Innovator: Expanded DLF’s commercial and retail rental segment from ₹1.55 crore in 2007 to ₹2,900 crore in 2019, creating stable, long-term income streams.

4. Diversification Champion: Led DLF into hospitality, recreation, insurance, and retail, extending the company’s reach beyond residential and commercial projects.

5. Visionary Developer: Guides strategic planning and innovation across large urban projects, blending modern design, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

3. Vikas Oberoi – Chairman and Managing Director, Oberoi Realty

Vikas Oberoi combines disciplined leadership with strategic vision, steering Oberoi Realty through India’s competitive real estate segment. His global education, risk-aware approach, and focus on quality projects have helped the company maintain resilience and deliver landmark developments across Mumbai and beyond.

Unique facts about Vikas Oberoi

1. Licensed Pilot: Flies his own Cirrus SR22 Tango and applies the same thorough planning and precision from aviation to real estate operations.

2. Harvard Alumnus: Completed the Owner/President management programme at Harvard Business School, thereby bringing international best practises to company strategy.

3. Cautiously Aggressive Leadership: Prioritises strong business fundamentals over high-debt expansion, allowing Oberoi Realty to pass downturns like the COVID-19 slump successfully.

4. Educational Initiatives: As founder trustee of the Oberoi Foundation and as a board member of Oberoi International School, he demonstrates his commitment to social impact.

5. Personal Legacy and Influence: Married to Gayatri Joshi, a former Bollywood actress. He has enhanced his public profile while maintaining focus on professional excellence.

4. Atul Ruia - Managing Director, The Phoenix Mills

The Phoenix Mills has reshaped retail-led real estate in India. Coming from a textile background, Atul identified the potential of transforming old mill lands into modern shopping and entertainment hubs. His leadership has helped create some of India’s most prominent retail destinations.

Unique Facts about Atul Ruia

1. Mill-to-Mall Vision: In the 1990s, Atul Ruia converted his family’s declining textile mill in Mumbai’s Lower Parel into High Street Phoenix, one of India’s first large retail and entertainment destinations.

2. Wharton Graduate: He studied at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, earning dual degrees in business and chemical engineering, which shaped his structured approach to business.

3. Third-Generation Leader: As the third generation of the Ruia family, he carried forward a legacy of reinvention, transforming the group from textiles into retail-led real estate.

4. Forbes Billionaire: His success in expanding The Phoenix Mills and its retail portfolio earned him a place on the Forbes billionaire list in 2023.

5. Expansion of Retail Hubs: Under his leadership, The Phoenix Mills has created large shopping and entertainment centres across India, becoming a key player in the organised retail sector.

5. Niranjan Hiranandani – Co-Founder, Hiranandani Group

Niranjan Hiranandani is renowned for transforming undeveloped and marshy land in Mumbai’s Powai and Thane into sprawling, integrated townships that set new standards for urban living. A trained Chartered Accountant, he shifted from a textile venture to building large-scale real estate projects that changed India’s urban landscape.

Unique Facts about Niranjan Hiranandani

1. Introduced Integrated Townships: He is credited with developing India’s first large integrated township model. His landmark project, Hiranandani Gardens in Powai, converted marshy land into a planned community with residences, offices, schools, and hospitals.

2. From Teacher to Business Leader: Before entering business, he worked as an accounting teacher. Later, he started a textile weaving unit, which faced challenges, leading him to fully focus on real estate development.

3. Distinguished Family Background: His father, Dr Lakhumal Hiranand Hiranandani, was a renowned ENT surgeon and a Padma Bhushan awardee, reflecting the family’s legacy of excellence in professional fields.

4. Foray into Digital Infrastructure: He expanded into the technology sector by launching Yotta Infrastructure, which is building large data centre parks, including one in Navi Mumbai, strengthening India’s digital backbone.

5. Contributions to Education and Industry: He is the Director of HSNC University in Mumbai and plays an active role in educational development. He has also served in leadership roles at the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), shaping policy and industry standards.

6. Gaurav Pandey – Managing Director and CEO, Godrej Properties

Gaurav Pandey has held the top-tier position since 2022 and for which he was recently re-appointed for another three-year term. An alumnus of IIM Kozhikode, he has more than two decades of experience in the real estate sector and previously led the company’s North Zone business to remarkable growth before his elevation to the top role.

Unique Facts about Gaurav Pandey

1. Driving Regional Growth: As CEO for the North Zone at Godrej Properties, he oversaw bookings that increased 6X, collections that quadrupled, and ROCE that rose to 27%. This made the Delhi-NCR region the largest contributor to the company’s profit and loss statement.

2. Wide Industry Experience: Before joining Godrej, he held senior roles at firms such as Burman GSC, Sheth Creators, and Ascendas India, gaining experience across diverse areas of real estate.

3. Media and Research Role: He served as Senior Vice President and Head of Research & Consulting at PropEquity, a leading property research firm. He also co-anchored The Property Show on NDTV, where he shared his insights with a wider audience.

4. Active Policy Contributor: As Co-Chair for the Committee on Urban Development and Real Estate at FICCI, he plays an important role in policy discussions that shape India’s urban development.

5. Recognition for Leadership: In 2022, he was named Realty Personality of the Year by The Economic Times at its Real Estate Conclave & Awards (North), reflecting his influence and achievements in the industry.

7. M. M. Chitale – Independent Director and Chairman, Macrotech Developers (Lodha Group)

M. M. Chitale is a Chartered Accountant with more than 40 years of experience. He is respected for his expertise in auditing, accounting, and corporate governance. Over the years, he has served on leading regulatory bodies and the boards of major Indian companies, strengthening financial oversight and business discipline at the highest level.

Unique Facts about M. M. Chitale

1. Former ICAI President: He served as President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) during 1997–98, marking his prominence in the profession.

2. Government and Regulatory Roles: He has held positions such as Chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards (NACAS) and was a member of the RBI-nominated Governing Council for the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India.

3. Extensive Board Memberships: Chitale has served as an Independent Director for several leading companies, including Larsen & Toubro, ONGC, IDBI Bank, and Principal PNB Asset Management.

4. Founder of CA Firm: He established Mukund M. Chitale & Co. in 1973 and continues as its Managing Partner, building a successful firm with a strong reputation in auditing and advisory.

5. Global Thought Leader: Known as an authority on complex accounting and auditing matters, he has delivered more than 1,000 lectures worldwide on financial and governance issues.

8. Irfan Razack – Chairman and Managing Director, Prestige Estates Projects

Irfan Razack is one of India’s most prominent real estate developers. He transformed his family’s small tailoring and retail business into a diversified property enterprise spanning residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality. Under his leadership, Prestige has built a strong presence across South India and expanded into several other major cities, establishing itself as a trusted and respected brand.

Unique Facts about Irfan Razack

1. From tailoring to property: He transitioned the family’s tailoring and retail business into real estate in 1986, building Prestige from a fabric shop into a billion-dollar conglomerate.

2. Introduced landmark malls: He developed Bengaluru’s first shopping mall, The Forum, and later India’s first luxury mall, The Collection, setting new benchmarks in retail spaces.

3. Adventurous personality: Known for his love of adventure sports, he actively takes part in activities such as skydiving and bungee jumping.

4. Focus on education and community: He co-founded Inventure Academy, an international school in Bengaluru, and contributes to several community development initiatives.

5. Among India’s wealthiest: In 2024, Forbes listed him and his siblings among the richest individuals in India, with a net worth of $6 billion.

9. Ravi Menon – Chairman, Sobha Group

Ravi Menon became the Chairman of Sobha Group in November 2024, succeeding his father, P. N. C. Menon, the founder of the company. A civil engineering graduate from Purdue University, he has been associated with the group for over two decades, driving technology adoption and quality control. Today, he leads both Sobha Limited in India and Sobha Realty in Dubai, overseeing the group’s global expansion across multiple markets.

Unique Facts about Ravi Menon

1. Engineering expertise: A civil engineering graduate from Purdue University, he has strengthened Sobha’s technical foundations by integrating advanced methods such as pre-cast technology into its construction processes.

2. First co-worker philosophy: He promotes a hands-on leadership style, describing himself as the "first co-worker," actively engaging in day-to-day operations and quality assurance.

3. North American expansion: He is spearheading Sobha’s entry into the United States with a 700-acre development in Texas, expected to generate substantial revenues.

4. Experience across regions: Before becoming Chairman, he held senior roles as Chairman of Sobha Limited in India and Co-Chairman of the Dubai-based Sobha Group, shaping his international perspective.

5. Smooth leadership transition: His elevation to Chairman in 2024 was part of a carefully managed succession, ensuring continuity of values while introducing a new strategic direction for global growth.

10. M. R. Jaishankar – Founder, Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Brigade Enterprises

M. R. Jaishankar founded Brigade Enterprises in 1986, establishing the Bengaluru-based company that has grown into a multi-domain, multi-city public limited firm. With a portfolio spanning residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality sectors, he is recognised for his commitment to quality, urban innovation, and shaping South India’s real estate landscape.

Unique Facts about M. R. Jaishankar

1. Entrepreneurial beginnings on Brigade Road: He named the company after Bengaluru’s iconic Brigade Road, where its first property was developed, giving the firm instant brand recognition.

2. Integrated lifestyle enclaves: In 2004, he developed Brigade Gateway, Bengaluru’s first mixed-use enclave, combining residential apartments, offices, Orion Mall, and a luxury hotel, setting new urban development benchmarks.

3. Decades of resilient growth: He has steered Brigade Enterprises through multiple market cycles, focusing on a stable business model that prioritises consistent performance and trustworthiness.

4. Commitment to social responsibility: Through Brigade Group’s CSR initiatives, he supports education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, promoting green building practises and community welfare.

5. Lifetime achievement recognition: In 2024, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contributions to Indian real estate, reflecting his long-standing leadership and innovative vision.

Understanding real estate requires more than just watching market numbers; it means learning from visionaries who set industry direction. Advisory insights from organisations like BCD India, highlight the strategies and decision-making approaches of these leaders, helping developers, investors, and professionals track the sector with confidence.

Through the journeys and unique accomplishments of the above 10 remarkable leaders, it becomes clear that their success is not accidental. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds and leading different companies, they share a set of leadership traits that consistently drive performance, inspire teams, and shape India’s real estate industry. Let us now discuss the common qualities these icons integrate.

Common Leadership Traits These Icons Share

The success of India’s top real estate leaders is not just about wealth or projects; it is about consistent behaviours and strategic choices that set them apart. By understanding their approaches, patterns emerge that any aspiring developer, investor, or professional can learn from and apply.

Here are a few traits they consistently demonstrate:

• Long-term vision: These leaders focus on sustainable growth, investing in projects and systems that build lasting value rather than pursuing short-term gains.

• Distinctive offerings: From integrated townships to luxury residences and experiential retail, they prioritise differentiation, creating products that stand out in competitive markets.

• Operational discipline: Timely delivery, rigorous governance, and strong operational controls are non-negotiable, ensuring trust with clients, partners, and investors.

• Strategic land acquisition: Thoughtful land selection and contiguous parcel planning underpin scalable developments and future-ready portfolios.

• Market and policy influence: Many hold positions in industry bodies or contribute thought leadership, signalling credibility and shaping policy and market trends.

Must Read: Real Estate Trends: Insights from Ashwinder R. Singh | YourStory

By incorporating these traits, these leaders drive commercial success and inspire the next generation of professionals to raise the bar in India’s real estate sector.

Conclusion

So, who are your top 3 leaders to follow in real estate business? These icons showcase diverse yet complementary approaches, including policy advocacy, governance-first management, township development, retail innovation, sustainability, craftsmanship, and founder-led scaling. Their decisions influence their company representatives and India’s urban landscape.

Studying their journeys offers practical lessons in foresight, strategic thinking, and resilience. Investors, developers, and industry professionals can gain clarity on market trends, identify emerging opportunities, and adopt best practises that drive long-term success.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it useful to follow leaders in real estate?

Leaders reveal strategy signals, including land buys, product shifts, or portfolio essence, earlier than financials show. Following them helps investors time markets, helps professionals adopt proven operating practises, and helps policymakers anticipate industry reactions to regulation.

2. Which leader is best to follow for urban master-planning?

Niranjan Hiranandani is the classic example. His multi-decade focus on integrated townships (Powai, Hiranandani Gardens) provides a template for neighbourhood economics and long-term maintenance models that preserve value.

3. Who should investors watch for retail real-estate signals?

Atul Ruia (Phoenix Mills) and his mall platform are strong indicators. Their leasing trends and shopper metrics often precede broader retail recovery or stress signals in metropolitan markets.

4. How do leadership styles affect developer risk profiles?

Promoter-led craftsmanship (Sobha) reduces execution risk; governance-heavy listed chairs (Macrotech/Lodha) reduce balance-sheet surprises; an annuity focus (DLF) lowers cyclicality. Leadership style directly colours risk and return trade-offs.

5. How can professionals mirror these leaders?

Adopt discipline (timely delivery), invest in differentiation (product or brand), build transparent governance, and think in mixed-use value chains. Translate lessons to your scale: not every firm needs mega projects, but all can apply focus and consistent execution.