Vivek began his career with Tata Electric Companies [now called Tata Power] and worked for a brief period with Herbertsons Ltd. He worked with Asian Paints for over thirty-three years and retired in May 2009. 

Career

He joined Asian Paints as Welfare Officer and held successively higher positions. He was working as Corporate Industrial Relations Manager of the company before he assumed charge as the Head of HR, a position he held for twelve years. As Vice President-HR he was Head of HR function for Asian Paints and its group companies including its international subsidiaries in 20 countries.

Since May 2009, he has worked as an independent OD consultant and Executive Coach with many MNCs and large organisations in Retail, Steel, Engineering, Pharma, Foods and Chemicals industries. Vivek was associated with SHRM India as a subject matter expert.

Director

Vivek was appointed as a Director on the Board of HyTech Engineers P Ltd. in Sept 2021. Earlier, Vivek served as Independent Director on the board of MSL Driveline Systems Ltd during 2015-19 [formerly Mahindra Sona Ltd.]

Industrial Relations

At the beginning of his career, Vivek negotiated several productivity agreements, the first one in 1979. Vivek was subsequently responsible for industrial relations at the corporate level. In that capacity he had opportunity to study Industrial Relations in various states and some countries abroad. Vivek has briefed lawyers to represent his employers in almost all states in India appearing in Industrial and High Courts. Vivek played a major role in developing healthy work ethic through workers’ education. Vivek has edited a book in Marathi on Industrial Relations.

Human Resources

In his role as Head of HR he helped create a work culture of coaching and development. He actively participated in promoting organisational values and particularly in the organisations acquired by Asian Paints after the year 2000. He represented HR at the highest level within the organisation, and was a member of the Management Board.

Vivek has published several articles on positive psychology, travelogues, pen-sketches. Some of these are available on his website [www.vivekvsp.com]. Vivek is an ‘opinion blogger‘ and blogs on HR and IR issues. Vivek’s HR blog-posts are extensively read and popular on the subject. Vivek received Best Blogger Award of IndiBloggers in 2013 and again in 2017.

Learning

He has travelled extensively. This has given him an opportunity to study HR and IR practices in several countries. Vivek attended training in June 2006 at London Business School on Strategic HRM.

Vivek was sponsored by The Employers’ Federation of India to participate in the program on Mainstreaming Gender Equality at International Labour Organisation [ILO], Turin, Italy.

Professional Standing, Honours and Awards

In November 2006 Vivek was appointed as ‘TISCO Chair Professor of Industrial Relations’ at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai for a period of one year. In that capacity he has delivered lectures at Tata Institute of Social Sciences on various subjects in Human Resource management. Vivek organised study of and seminars on Reward management policies of various organisations. Vivek has been teaching the elective of ‘Conflict Management’ at Tata Institute of Social Sciences since 2007.

Vivek was felicitated by his Alma Mater [Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies, affiliated to Mumbai University] in March 2007 for his contribution to the field of Industrial Relations.

He was again felicitated in July 2018 by conferring ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by his alma mater.

NHRDN South Gujarat – Surat Chapter felicitated Vivek by conferring ‘Lifetime Service Award’ in June 2022

Vivek was felicitated by FOSTIIMA, New Delhi, conferring ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ (2022)

He was also felicitated by Rotary Club of Thane Central for his outstanding vocational achievements. 

Qualifications

Vivek is a science Graduate from Bombay [Mumbai] University and he read for his Master’s degree in Labour Welfare at Bombay Labour Institute, now called Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies.

Vivek has received training for coaching skills from Results Coaching Systems. Vivek also has obtained Belbin Team Role accreditation.

Rotary and NGOs

Vivek was a member of the Rotary Club of Thane Metro, and served as the President for 2017-18.

Vivek was invited in 2018 to be a member of the Governing Body of Aroehan. It is an NGO which aims at the holistic development of tribal communities through an integrated approach addressing the issues of health, education, livelihood and effective governance. It was established in 2006 with its base in Mokhada Tehsil of the old Thane District. The main focus of the organisation lies in improving access to health services and promoting health awareness among adolescent girls.

Vivek has raised more than Rs 1.25 Cr for the social cause championed by Rotary and Aroehan.

Government Committee Member On Min Wages

Vivek has been nominated by the Employers Federation of India to represent them on the Central Advisory Board for Minimum Wages. (2019)