Will Isha, Akash and Anant take over the Ambani family’s US$217 billion empire in 2022? Inside Indian billionaire Mukesh’s succession plan and leadership changes at Reliance

Jan 11 , 2022

Anant, Isha and Akash Ambani are set for some major changes in 2022. Photos: @ambanifamily/Instagram

In a speech at Reliance Family Day, the Indian tycoon said it’s time to ‘yield’ to the younger talent in the company so that they can be at the forefront of the family business

Mukesh was once embroiled in an inheritance feud with his brother Anil after their father and founder of Reliance, Dhirubhai, died in 2002

This year marks tremendous change for Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita and their three children – Akash, Isha and Anant. That’s according to the billionaire himself, who at a Reliance Family Day meeting held in late December 2021 spoke for the first time about the succession plans for the family company. He said the younger generation of leaders at Reliance was now ready to take on bigger leadership roles at the company, and that the process would be accelerated in 2022.

Isha, Anant and Akash Ambani have a huge legacy ahead of them. Photo: @ambanifamily/Instagram

Business Standard reports that the clear direction of wealth transfer and business responsibilities is a strategic move on the part of Mukesh, who was himself embroiled in a inheritance feud with his brother Anil after his father Dhirubhai died in 2002.

Tycoon brothers: Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, and Reliance ADA Group chairman Anil Ambani. Photo: Getty Images

Dhirubhai did not leave a will and this resulted in a feud between his two sons that lasted for many years. In a move to avoid this, Bloomberg reports Reliance Industries Ltd could be put under the control of a trust-like structure with the family on its board. In the meantime, change is coming and soon Akash, Isha and Anant could be leading the way at helm of the US$217 billion empire.

Leadership transition “speed-up”

A photo of the young Ambani children with Nita and Mukesh Ambani. Photo: @mukesh.ambaniii/Instagram

In his speech, Mukesh, who leads as the chairman and managing director of the company, said the leadership transition needed to be accelerated. He said this included him yielding power to the younger generation. It’s the first time he has publicly spoken about succession plans, saying Reliance was in “the process of effecting a momentous leadership transition”, according to a transcript published by CNBC.

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani with his two children. Photo: @mukesh.ambaniii/Instagram

The 64-year-old businessman also added that big dreams and goals are all about getting the right people in the job. He said seniors such as himself would be passing these goals onto the next generation of young leaders.

Providing guidance

The Ambani family is the wealthiest family in India. Photo: @mukesh.ambaniii/Instagram