Leadership Rx: Star Health Appoints Rajeev Kher as Board Chair

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Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited appointed Rajeev Kher as the new Board Chairperson in a key leadership change for the insurer. The appointment is the latest in a series of governance and strategic oversight enhancements for the company.

Rajeev Kher, a well-established bureaucrat and policy veteran, has had ties with Star Health and Allied Insurance as an Independent Director and now assumes office as Chairperson. His decades-long experience across international trade, commerce, and government policy are certain to yield insightful contributions at a critical moment in the history of the insurance industry.

Appointment as Leader

Rajeev Kher has been appointed formally as Chairperson of the Board at Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited since May 2025.
He was earlier an Independent Director and has more than four decades of experience in public administration and policy.

Professional Background

Kher is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with 37 years of experience, having held positions such as Commerce Secretary for the Government of India.
He has been a senior officer in the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Commerce, and a member of the Competition Appellate Tribunal.
Since retirement, he has served as a Distinguished Fellow at RIS, a think tank in international economic and development policy.

Board Composition and Governance

The board currently has other eminent professionals like Managing Director & CEO Anand Shankar Roy, and a number of independent directors.
Kher's joining is likely to improve the board's governance standards and strategic approach.

Market Response

As of 12:03 PM IST on May 5, 2025, the share price of Star Health was ₹373.85, down 0.97% from the closing price.
The market capitalization of the company was ₹21,975 crore, with the trading volume at 17,883 shares at the time of reporting.

Company Outlook

With Kher as the captain, Star Health is set to use his experience in policy, governance, and industry best practices to overcome regulatory and market hurdles.

The firm continues to be committed to growing its presence in the health insurance business and maximizing shareholder value.

Relevant Sources: Business Standard, MarketScreener, Capital Market, Board Stewardship