Ivan Menezes was best known and highly respected as chairman of British spirits giant Diageo PLC. Less known but adding greatly to his reputation was his support for all things education – and Gateway House was among them.
Menezes liked the idea of a think tank for Mumbai and extended his characteristic kindness to the mission in its very early years. In 2010, a year after Gateway House began, he became the first of a trio of individual members to lend it support: Ashok Ganguly, Ivan Menezes and Radhika Piramal.
The institution could not have had a more blessed initiation of Indians who believed that intellectual capacity-building brought global respect. His presence lent credibility and led others to support the mission. We marvelled that a soft-spoken man could lead the hard business of liquor. And yet he did, to great success. Investors remember him as being “smart and competent, straightforward and charming.”
His engagement with Gateway House continued for some years. This year, we rejoiced at the deserved recognition and knighthood accorded to him by his adopted home, the U.K. for his contribution to business and equality.
We mourn his loss.
Manjeet Kripalani is the Executive Director, Gateway House.
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