Young Turk

Kamesh Goyal, the new CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company, describes the challenges and excitement of the job he is indulged in

Kamesh GoyalThe long wait is over. Year 2004 begins with a bang for Kamesh Goyal. On 1 January, Goyal, 37, will become the youngest chief executive officer of an Indian general insurance company — Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company.

The decision to elevate him from the position of chief operating officer was taken a while ago. Did he spend the intervening period with a bated breath? "It was business as usual; I didn't feel specifically tense," he says.

His wife, Kanika, concurs. "Yes, he was not unduly excited. In fact, he broke the news of his elevation only after coming back from the office. He didn't even call home and give us the good news." The cool-headed executive doesn't want to rock the boat soon after taking over as the CEO. "I will continue with the present strategy."

Born and brought up in the Khetri district of Rajasthan, Goyal is the youngest of G C Goyal's three sons. The eldest brother, Aadesh, is the CEO of the business process outsourcing (BPO) company of Hughes Software and the second brother, Amrish, is with Birla Sun Life Insurance.