Our Leadership
Board Of Directors
Mr. Anand Shaktikumar Sancheti
Managing Director, SMS Limited
A Commerce Graduate with diploma in Entrepreneurship Administration & Business Laws. He is Managing Director of SMS Limited, He was also involved in the successful implementation of first PPP project in Roads Sector, in India.
Under his leadership SMS Limited has won the Award “Indian Affairs Infrastructure Company of the Year 2016”, Best Concrete Structure Award in Irrigation, Best Structure Award for Katraj Tunnels. Best Structure Award at Bhandewadi, STP Plant, Nagpur. He has won the prestigious award ‑ “Transformational Business Leader of the year 2016”.
He is a Member of the Board of Governance for Indian Institute of Management, Raipur, Trustee at Bhonsla Military School – Nagpur and also associated with other organisations. He has been a faculty for structured Finance and Project finance at World Bank Knowledge Forum, State Bank of India, etc at various forums.
Mr. Dilip Surana
Director
He has vast experience of 35+ years. He has been associated with the SMS Group since 1984 and has been involved in planning and execution of all types construction projects like construction of Earthen Dams, Concrete/Masonry Dams,Canals, Pipelines, Bridges, Roads and Highways, Tunnels and operation and maintenance of Tollways. He is currently a Whole time Director at the SMS Group and is directly responsible for the P&L of all the ongoing infrastructure projects including its planning, monitoring & progress. His rich knowledge has provided necessary support for smooth execution of the projects directly monitored by him and to other projects the company has undertaken.
CA Ajay Lakhotiya
Independent Director
He is a Practicing Chartered Accountant. He is mainly handling matters related to Company Law. He has been practicing in the same field for more than 3 decades and achieved prominence in the profession. He also holds various Management Positions within and outside Group Companies.
Mr. Anil Kumar Jha
Independent Director
Anil Kumar Jha, former Chairman of Coal India Limited, arrives at SMS Limited with vast experience. Recognized for his visionary leadership, he drove substantial growth in coal production and financial performance. With a focus on partnerships, innovation, and sustainability, Jha is positioned to lead SMS Limited to greater success.
Ms. Renu Challu
Independent Director
Renu Challu, a seasoned banking professional with over four decades of experience, brings strategic foresight and financial acumen to her role at SMS Limited. During her tenure at State Bank of Hyderabad, she oversaw significant growth and led initiatives in new business areas like Merchant Acquisition Business and Mobile Banking. Her track record underscores her ability to drive results and navigate competitive landscapes effectively.
CA Hemant Lodha
Director, SMS Limited
He is a certified Chartered Accountant with a vast experience of 40+ years. He started his career from Kalpataru, Mumbai, later shifted to Nagpur and worked for FACOR, Star Circlips and Coventry Springs till 1990. He then worked for the Indorama Corporation in Indonesia.
In 2001, after working for a brief period in Thailand and Sri Lanka he returned to India and joined the SMS Group. He was instrumental in setting up the Environment Division and is currently MD at SMS Envocare and a Non-Executive Director at the SMS Group.
Mr. Kasaraneni R Rao
Director, SMS Limited
K. Ramachandra Rao is a graduate in Mining Engineering from Osmania University and Postgraduate in Rock Mechanics from IIT Delhi. He is responsible for developing Mining division for SMSL and expanding it. He has over 40+ years of professional experience including teaching, research and consultancy. Prior to joining SMSL, he worked with prestigious organisations like TISCO, SCCL, NTPC and VNIT.
Mr. Paramveer Sancheti
Director, Environment
Young enthusiastic entrepreneur, completed his Business Administration from International Baccalaureate (IB), He started his journey with 130 MLD waste water treatment and reuse plant at Bhandewadi Nagpur. Currently leading Environment Division of SMS Limited.
Environment division is into Hazardous Waste Treatment, Solid Waste Management, Bio Medical waste and other environment related projects.Mr. Nirbhay Sancheti
Director, Mining
Mr. Nirbhay Ajay Sancheti pursued BBA and then did MSc in Project Management from University of Warwick, UK. He had joined the company as Project – coordinator for Underground Coal Mining projects. Since then, has been actively involved in various underground mining projects catering to PSU clients such as Coal India, Hindustan Zinc, Hindustan Copper, Singareni Collieries etc. In 2016 he started a new vertical of Specialized Construction for Defence in the company. Apart from execution, he is also actively involved in business development of Mining, multi level car parking and defence vertical.
Mr. Akshay Sancheti
Director, Infrastructure
Mr. Akshay Sancheti, son of Late Mr. Abhay Sancheti (Former Chairman of SMS Limited) pursued his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering Degree from MIT, Pune. He subsequently joined the Company as a Management Trainee on 1st Nov 2012 and was deputed to a site involving civil and electrical works in Buldhana, Maharashtra which was successfully commissioned in 2014. Since, he has been looking after projects under the Infrastructure division which includes construction projects in Railways, Roadways, Irrigation and Toll Management.
Key management Team
Mr. Kasarneni Rao
Vice President & Head – Mining
K. Ramachandra Rao is a graduate in Mining Engineering from Osmania University and Postgraduate in Rock Mechanics from IIT Delhi. He is responsible for developing Mining division for SMSL and expanding it. He has over 40+ years of professional experience including teaching, research and consultancy. Prior to joining SMSL, he worked with prestigious organisations like TISCO, SCCL, NTPC and VNIT.
Mr. Praveen Jain
COO - Metal Mines
Praveen has over 35 years of rich and diversified global experience in both opencast & underground mining environment. Experienced in brownfield and greenfield – exploration, mine construction, expansion projects, mine design, operations, beneficiation and smelting. Praveen has earlier been associated with Vedanta and Samta groups in various leadership positions. He’s well-versed in due diligence, acquisitions, optimisation, behaviour-base safety management and own/ contract mining. A sound taskmaster and strong people manager – building great teams for committed performance deliverables.
CA Rajesh Gupta
Group Chief Financial Officer
He is a Chartered Accountant & ICWA with 26+ years of experience in Finance, Accounts, Costing, Controlling, Commercial, Taxation, Budgeting & Internal Audit. He started his career with Usha Martin Ind.Ltd. and thereafter has worked with several other companies including H&R Johnson I Ltd, Vinmar International I Ltd, Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co.Ltd & Tara Jewels Ltd. He is the CFO of SMS Group from 1st April 2021.
Mr. Ashfaque Khan
Associate Vice President - Irrigation
He is a Civil Engineer having vast experience of 30+ years of execution of various major infrastructure projects for Construction of earthen / concrete dams, canals, tunnels, Roads and Railways etc. He is associated with the company since 1989. He is currently heading the Irrigation vertical of the company.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Gupta
Group CFO
Ms. Smita Agarkar
Company Secretary
Mr. Praveen Jain
COO - Metal Mines
Mr. Ashfaque Khan
Associate Vice President - Irrigation
Board Of Directors
Mr. Anand Shaktikumar Sancheti
Managing Director, SMS Limited
A Commerce Graduate with diploma in Entrepreneurship Administration & Business Laws. He is Managing Director of SMS Limited, He was also involved in the successful implementation of first PPP project in Roads Sector, in India.
Under his leadership SMS Limited has won the Award “Indian Affairs Infrastructure Company of the Year 2016”, Best Concrete Structure Award in Irrigation, Best Structure Award for Katraj Tunnels. Best Structure Award at Bhandewadi, STP Plant, Nagpur. He has won the prestigious award ‑ “Transformational Business Leader of the year 2016”.
He is a Member of the Board of Governance for Indian Institute of Management, Raipur, Trustee at Bhonsla Military School – Nagpur and also associated with other organisations. He has been a faculty for structured Finance and Project finance at World Bank Knowledge Forum, State Bank of India, etc at various forums.
Mr. Dilip Surana
Director
He has vast experience of 35+ years. He has been associated with the SMS Group since 1984 and has been involved in planning and execution of all types construction projects like construction of Earthen Dams, Concrete/Masonry Dams,Canals, Pipelines, Bridges, Roads and Highways, Tunnels and operation and maintenance of Tollways. He is currently a Whole time Director at the SMS Group and is directly responsible for the P&L of all the ongoing infrastructure projects including its planning, monitoring & progress. His rich knowledge has provided necessary support for smooth execution of the projects directly monitored by him and to other projects the company has undertaken.
CA Ajay Lakhotiya
Independent Director
He is a Practicing Chartered Accountant. He is mainly handling matters related to Company Law. He has been practicing in the same field for more than 3 decades and achieved prominence in the profession. He also holds various Management Positions within and outside Group Companies.
Mr. Anil Kumar Jha
Independent Director
Anil Kumar Jha, former Chairman of Coal India Limited, arrives at SMS Limited with vast experience. Recognized for his visionary leadership, he drove substantial growth in coal production and financial performance. With a focus on partnerships, innovation, and sustainability, Jha is positioned to lead SMS Limited to greater success.
Ms. Renu Challu
Independent Director
Renu Challu, a seasoned banking professional with over four decades of experience, brings strategic foresight and financial acumen to her role at SMS Limited. During her tenure at State Bank of Hyderabad, she oversaw significant growth and led initiatives in new business areas like Merchant Acquisition Business and Mobile Banking. Her track record underscores her ability to drive results and navigate competitive landscapes effectively.
CA Hemant Lodha
Director, SMS Limited
He is a certified Chartered Accountant with a vast experience of 40+ years. He started his career from Kalpataru, Mumbai, later shifted to Nagpur and worked for FACOR, Star Circlips and Coventry Springs till 1990. He then worked for the Indorama Corporation in Indonesia.
In 2001, after working for a brief period in Thailand and Sri Lanka he returned to India and joined the SMS Group. He was instrumental in setting up the Environment Division and is currently MD at SMS Envocare and a Non-Executive Director at the SMS Group.
Mr. Kasarneni Rao
Director, Mining
K. Ramachandra Rao is a graduate in Mining Engineering from Osmania University and Postgraduate in Rock Mechanics from IIT Delhi. He is responsible for developing Mining division for SMSL and expanding it. He has over 40+ years of professional experience including teaching, research and consultancy. Prior to joining SMSL, he worked with prestigious organisations like TISCO, SCCL, NTPC and VNIT.
Mr. Paramveer Sancheti
Director, Environment
Young enthusiastic entrepreneur, completed his Business Administration from International Baccalaureate (IB), He started his journey with 130 MLD waste water treatment and reuse plant at Bhandewadi Nagpur. Currently leading Environment Division of SMS Limited.
Environment division is into Hazardous Waste Treatment, Solid Waste Management, Bio Medical waste and other environment related projects.Mr. Nirbhay Sancheti
Director, Mining
Mr. Nirbhay Ajay Sancheti pursued BBA and then did MSc in Project Management from University of Warwick, UK. He had joined the company as Project – coordinator for Underground Coal Mining projects. Since then, has been actively involved in various underground mining projects catering to PSU clients such as Coal India, Hindustan Zinc, Hindustan Copper, Singareni Collieries etc. In 2016 he started a new vertical of Specialized Construction for Defence in the company. Apart from execution, he is also actively involved in business development of Mining, multi level car parking and defence vertical.
Mr. Akshay Sancheti
Director, Infrastructure
Mr. Akshay Sancheti, son of Late Mr. Abhay Sancheti (Former Chairman of SMS Limited) pursued his Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering Degree from MIT, Pune. He subsequently joined the Company as a Management Trainee on 1st Nov 2012 and was deputed to a site involving civil and electrical works in Buldhana, Maharashtra which was successfully commissioned in 2014. Since, he has been looking after projects under the Infrastructure division which includes construction projects in Railways, Roadways, Irrigation and Toll Management.
Key management Team
Mr. Kasarneni Rao
Vice President & Head – Mining
K. Ramachandra Rao is a graduate in Mining Engineering from Osmania University and Postgraduate in Rock Mechanics from IIT Delhi. He is responsible for developing Mining division for SMSL and expanding it. He has over 40+ years of professional experience including teaching, research and consultancy. Prior to joining SMSL, he worked with prestigious organisations like TISCO, SCCL, NTPC and VNIT.
Mr. Praveen Jain
COO - Metal Mines
Praveen has over 35 years of rich and diversified global experience in both opencast & underground mining environment. Experienced in brownfield and greenfield – exploration, mine construction, expansion projects, mine design, operations, beneficiation and smelting. Praveen has earlier been associated with Vedanta and Samta groups in various leadership positions. He’s well-versed in due diligence, acquisitions, optimisation, behaviour-base safety management and own/ contract mining. A sound taskmaster and strong people manager – building great teams for committed performance deliverables.
CA Rajesh Gupta
Group Chief Financial Officer
He is a Chartered Accountant & ICWA with 26+ years of experience in Finance, Accounts, Costing, Controlling, Commercial, Taxation, Budgeting & Internal Audit. He started his career with Usha Martin Ind.Ltd. and thereafter has worked with several other companies including H&R Johnson I Ltd, Vinmar International I Ltd, Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co.Ltd & Tara Jewels Ltd. He is the CFO of SMS Group from 1st April 2021.
Mr. Ashfaque Khan
Associate Vice President - Irrigation
He is a Civil Engineer having vast experience of 30+ years of execution of various major infrastructure projects for Construction of earthen / concrete dams, canals, tunnels, Roads and Railways etc. He is associated with the company since 1989. He is currently heading the Irrigation vertical of the company.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Gupta
Group CFO
Ms. Smita Agarkar
Company Secretary
Mr. Praveen Jain
COO - Metal Mines
Mr. Ashfaque Khan
Associate Vice President - Irrigation