Biography:

Madhabi Puri Buch (born 1966) is a prominent Indian business executive and the current chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), notable for being the first woman to hold this position and the first person from the private sector to be appointed.

Early Life and Education:

Madhabi was born to Kamal Puri and his wife. She completed her schooling at Fort Convent School, Mumbai, and Convent of Jesus and Mary, Delhi. She then graduated in Mathematics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, followed by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

Career:

Her career began in 1989 with ICICI Bank, where she held various roles over 12 years, including sales, marketing, and product development. She later served as the Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Securities from 2009 to 2011. Buch’s international experience includes positions with Greater Pacific Capital and as a consultant for the New Development Bank.

SEBI Leadership:

Appointed as SEBI’s whole-time member in April 2017, she was instrumental in modernizing the regulatory body with a focus on technology and data-driven processes. She was appointed as SEBI chairperson on March 1, 2022, and has since implemented numerous reforms aimed at enhancing market transparency and efficiency.

Personal Life:

Buch married Dhawal Buch at 21 and has a son named Abhay. She survived the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks while at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

Madhabi Puri Buch’s leadership at SEBI marks a significant milestone in Indian financial regulation, characterized by her innovative and reform-oriented approach.