Ambani: No.2 Globally in 2024 Brand Guardianship Index

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd, has been ranked as the top Indian and second globally in the Brand Guardianship Index 2024 compiled by Brand Finance. The index recognises CEOs who effectively build business value while considering the interests of all stakeholders, including employees, investors, and society at large.

Ambani surpassed prominent figures like Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and Google’s Sundar Pichai to secure the second spot globally, with Tencent’s Huateng Ma claiming the number one position. Ambani retained his second position globally from the previous year, and he emerged as the top-ranked CEO in the ‘Diversified’ conglomerates category.

Brand Finance awarded Ambani a BGI score of 80.3, just slightly below Huateng Ma’s score of 81.6. The Brand Finance survey evaluates CEOs based on a balanced scorecard that measures their ability to act as stewards of their company’s brand and long-term value.

The analysis revealed that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have become the primary driver in determining CEO reputation. Being recognised as a sustainability champion accounted for 14% of the variation in reputation scores, surpassing factors such as perceived trustworthiness and having a strong strategy and global recognition.

Brand Finance defines a brand guardian as a CEO who enhances brand and business value. These CEOs are celebrated for their ability to forge win-win partnerships and build a sustainable future, transforming the role of a CEO from being solely competitive to collaborative.