Pankaj Gulati is taking over as Suryoday Small Finance Bank's new Chief People Officer and Head of CSR starting on October 23, 2025.
Gulati is a banking and finance veteran, bringing over twenty years of experience with him. He's worked in senior roles at a number of major companies, including AU Small Finance Bank, Fincare Small Finance Bank, MetLife India Insurance, and HSBC India.
In his new role at Suryoday, Gulati will oversee the bank’s human resources strategy, talent lifecycle management, employee performance and rewards, HR technology and analytics, as well as lead its CSR efforts aimed at building stronger linkages between the organisation and the communities it serves.
The move shows Suryoday plans to tie its people strategy directly to its social mission. Placing the HR and CSR roles together makes employee experience, purpose, and community impact its unified focus.
Talking about his new challenge, Gulati said, “I’m really looking forward to working with the Suryoday team to build a workforce that isn't just fast and competitive but also genuinely cares about purpose and engaging with society. Putting talent strategy and corporate citizenship together is a fantastic chance to make a meaningful impact.”
The bank’s decision to combine the Chief People Officer and head-CSR roles underlines a growing trend in the banking sector where human-capital leadership is increasingly linked to social outcomes and community trust. With the financial sector evolving rapidly, Suryoday is betting on experienced leadership in people and purpose to strengthen its organisational culture and deepen its social impact.
Suryoday Small Finance Bank names Pankaj Gulati as CPO & Head CSR
