Beneath the surface of Reliance Industries’ colossal success lies a name you might not know – Hital Meswani. His role in the company is critical, yet often overshadowed by the more familiar figures of the Ambani family.
Hital Meswani, the nephew of Mukesh Ambani, has been an integral part of Reliance Industries since 1990. Born to Rasiklal Meswani and Trilochana Ben, he has been serving as a Whole-time Director and Executive Director on the Reliance board since August 4, 1995. For those unaware, Trilochana Ben is the elder sister of the company’s founder, Dhirubhai Ambani.
Meswani's journey with Reliance began in the early '90s, and his impact has been monumental. He was instrumental in the completion of major projects like the Hazira petrochemical and the Jamnagar refinery complexes. Under his guidance, Reliance’s petrochemical and refining businesses have thrived, cementing his status as one of the highest-paid employees within the company.
His portfolio is impressive. Beyond his primary role at Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Hital Meswani holds directorial positions at Reliance Petroleum Limited, Reliance Commercial Dealers Limited, Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, and the Indian Film Combine Pvt. Ltd. His strategic oversight and management acumen have propelled these entities to new heights.
Educationally, Hital Meswani is equally distinguished. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, holding degrees in Chemical Engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Economics from the Wharton Business School.
In terms of compensation, Hital Meswani's remuneration for the fiscal year 2021-22 was a staggering Rs 24 crore, matching that of his brother, Nikhil Meswani. This makes them the top-paid executives at Reliance Industries, a testament to their invaluable contributions.
While Mukesh Ambani himself chose to forgo his salary from FY21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hital Meswani continued to steer the company towards growth and stability, reinforcing his indispensable role in the organisation.
