The Leadership Team

Kuldeep Jain

Founder and Managing Director

Mr. Kuldeep Jain, a visionary leader and the driving force behind CleanMax, has fundamentally transformed the sustainability landscape in Asia, accelerating the decarbonizing journey for progressive industries across. He founded CleanMax with a vision to lead the transition to clean energy in the commercial & industrial sector, and under his leadership, the company has grown exponentially. With a distinguished background as an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, Chartered Accountant, and a former Global Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he headed the energy and corporate finance division, Kuldeep's expertise has been instrumental in driving CleanMax's extraordinary growth.

His strategic acumen, environmental stewardship & dynamic leadership has propelled the company to a leading position, across India, the Middle East, and South-East Asia. Under his guidance, CleanMax has become the preferred partner for corporations pursuing sustainability & Net-Zero goals. His ability to attract key investors and foster stakeholder confidence underscores his thought leadership, further solidifying CleanMax as an industry pioneer. His achievements have been awarded & recognized by ET (Star of Industry), Forbes (Green Warrior Award), IIM (Young Alumni Achiever) amongst others.

Nikunj Ghodawat

Chief Financial Officer

With rich experience and expertise in corporate finance, fundraising, and business leadership, Nikunj Ghodawat has been a key figure in CleanMax’s growth story. As one of the earliest leaders to join the company, he has been instrumental in driving exceptional business expansion, optimizing processes, securing crucial funding, and building a strong, sustainable team. Interestingly, Nikunj's career began with an entrepreneurial venture—founding TBNG Financial Services, a wealth advisory firm that he successfully scaled from the ground up. Following this, he became one of the founding members of YES Bank's Sustainable Investment Banking team, where he led groundbreaking renewable energy transactions. His entrepreneurial mindset, combined with his financial acumen, is a unique asset that sets him apart.

Nikunj holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDBA) in Finance from ICFAI Hyderabad, where he graduated in 2003, as well as an MS in Finance from the same institution (2006). He also holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA) in Finance from Devi Ahilya University, Indore.

Tejus AV

Chief Commercial Officer

Tejus is Chief Commercial Officer at CleanMax and has a total of 15+ years of multidisciplinary management experience. He handles various responsibilities including business development, Wind Solar Hybrid projects, as well Capex sales. Before joining CleanMax, he worked with Atria Power and GE.

He holds Bachelor's degree from RVCE, Bangalore, Diploma in Renewable Energy from Teri University, Delhi, Diploma in Business Administration from Symbiosis, Pune and has completed a Management Program with Harvard Business School, Boston.

Pramod Deore

Global CEO, On-site Renewables Business

Pramod Deore is a seasoned leader with over 21 years of expertise in renewable energy, specializing in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Operations, Strategy & Business Development, Asset Management, and Sustainability (ESG).

Pramod has been pivotal in expanding the company's on-site distributed solar portfolio, overseeing the deployment of over 300 MWp across 500+ projects & growth in diverse geographies like Thailand, 15+ Indian states, the UAE, Bahrain & Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. Under his leadership, the company has achieved several ISO certifications advancing CleanMax’s ESG strategy towards achieving net zero emissions. Pramod’s commitment to innovation is clear in CleanMax’s solutions for roofs, carports, floating solar, and battery storage.

Before CleanMax, he served as COO at Mahindra Susten Pvt. Ltd., where he was instrumental in scaling operations and strengthening the company's market position. He holds a degree in Electrical Engg. a Master’s in Marketing Management, and a PG Diploma in Electricity Regulation (PGDER). He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Independent Director for IICA, certified as an ESG Expert by WDC. Further was honored as one of the "100 Most Powerful & Influential Business Leaders in the Indian Solar Industry" by POWER100 in 2019.

Sweta Sajnani

Chief People and Culture Officer

Sweta is the Chief People and Culture Officer at CleanMax.

Sweta joined CleanMax from JSW Energy Ltd, where she was working as Head – Talent Acquisition, taking care of PAN India hiring.

She holds an MBA degree in Human Resources from International School of Business & Media, Pune.

Amit Jain

COO - Utility Scale RE Projects

Amit is COO(Utility Scale RE Projects) at CleanMax and previously has worked with Mahindra Susten, BORL (A subsidiary of BPCL) and Vedanta Group.

Amit is a B.Tech(Electrical) from National Institute of Technology, Shilchar with additional qualification in Foreign Trade from Indian Institute of Material Management.

Chintan Shah

Chief Technology Officer - Utility Scale RE

Chintan Shah, plays a crucial role in driving technological innovation and overseeing large-scale energy projects. With his rich experience in the wind, solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS) sectors, Chintan is a key figure in shaping CleanMax’s technological strategy and execution for large-scale projects, both in India and internationally. He ensures that CleanMax's projects not only meet international standards but also adhere to cutting-edge industry practices. Chintan's responsibilities include guiding technical teams, mitigating risks, and overseeing the techno-commercial due diligence for CleanMax's ambitious energy initiatives.

His past roles at renowned organizations like Torrent Power, Black & Veatch, GE, and Suzlon have enriched his experience in managing complex projects and delivering sustainable solutions. As a leader, Chintan contributes to CleanMax's goal of delivering efficient, reliable, and future-ready green solutions.

Harsh Dash

Chief Executive Officer - SEA

Harsh leads CleanMax's strategic initiatives in Southeast Asia, focusing on expanding CleanMax's presence in Thailand. As one of our earliest team members, Harsh had been driving growth across South India, managing key states such as Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. His deep market insight and proactive approach have been instrumental in our global expansion.

Under Harsh's leadership, CleanMax has successfully executed some of the largest onsite solar PPAs in Thailand, with projects upto 13.5 MWp which are remarkable milestones. An alumnus of IIT Madras, Harsh blends technical expertise with a dynamic mindset, reinforcing CleanMax's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering innovative partnerships in the region.

Shivani Agrawal

Chief Executive Officer - Middle East Region

Shivani Agrawal is spearheading the company’s ambitious growth and strategic expansion in the Middle East region. She has been instrumental in driving the company’s regional strategy since joining in 2017 as a founding member of the Dubai office. Under her leadership, CleanMax has successfully penetrated key markets by forming long-term partnerships with local stakeholders, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering tailored renewable energy solutions. Shivani’s focus on long-term sustainability and innovation has significantly contributed to strengthening CleanMax's competitive positioning, ensuring both growth and alignment with regional energy transition goals. Her background with B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay further enhances her technical acumen in addressing complex energy challenges.

Sidharth Seekond

Head of Debt Finance

Sidharth Seekond currently heads Project Finance & Working Capital Finance for CleanMax. He has been part of CleanMax for the last 5 years and played a leading role in raising over INR 10,000 crores of under construction project finance, refinance & working capital debt for the companies projects in India, Middle East & South East Asia. Financial Institutions he work with include Indian PSU & Private sector Banks, NBFC's as well as MNC Banks and Development Finance Institutions.

Sidharth holds an MBA from Indian School of Business and is also a CFA charterholder from CFA Institute, USA. Prior to joining CleanMax Sidharth has worked at Ernst & Young, a US based hedge fund as well as multiple start-ups in India & South East Asia in fundraising roles

Sushant Nagre

Chief Finance Controller

With 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, Sushant has been a pivotal part of CleanMax for the past 6 years. As the leader of the accounts, compliance, and tax functions, Sushant ensures the company's financial integrity and adherence to regulatory standards.

Sushant has expertly managed a range of assignments including Financial Due Diligence (FDDs), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) implementation, SAP implementation, various taxation and compliance matters, CSR work and both statutory and internal audits. Prior to joining CleanMax, Sushant worked with Deloitte for around 6 years, honing his skills. He also gained valuable experience during his brief tenure with the Tata Group Company.

He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and passed CISA (USA) exams. His extensive background, strategic insights, deep knowledge of business and renewable sector ensure rigorous financial governance and operational excellence at CleanMax.

Laavanyaa Sankara Narayanan

Head of Equities

Laavanyaa spearheads the equity function at CleanMax, driving our initiatives in equity fundraising, strategic joint ventures, project investment approvals, and investor relations. With over a decade of expertise in equity and debt financing within the renewables and infrastructure sectors, she plays a crucial role in advancing CleanMax's financial and strategic goals.

She has been with CleanMax for the last 6 years and has lead the equity fund raise efforts for renouned names like Augment Infrastructure, IFU and Brookfield. Prior to her tenure at CleanMax, Laavanyaa was with SBICAPS, where she excelled in the investment banking and syndication division, executing high-value transactions across roads, airports, and renewable energy projects.

She holds a BE in Electronics and Communication from Anna University, Chennai, and an MBA from TAPMI Manipal, bringing a blend of technical acumen and strategic insight to her role.

Pranjal Paul

Chief Executive Officer – Carbon Business

Pranjal's strategic impact at CleanMax is evident in his leadership of key business initiatives and his drive for innovation. Pranjal’s journey with CleanMax began in 2016 as a fresh graduate from IIT Madras, where he earned both his B.Tech and M.Tech degrees. Starting in the Bangalore office, he quickly made his mark by leading the Business Development team in Karnataka, securing pivotal deals for the company and by navigating competitive markets. After few years, Pranjal transitioned to the MD’s office as Chief of Staff, where he played a key role in strengthening the project development pipeline and exploring expansion opportunities, reflecting his strategic foresight. Pranjal has been leading the carbon business since it was first set up as a separate business unit in April 2023 and is deeply focused on spearheading unique initiatives and ground-breaking deals – thereby, ensuring the company stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market.
Pranjal describes himself as a "0-1 guy" who thrives on building new systems from the ground up and bringing order to chaos.

Sanjay Bhatia

General Counsel

Sanjay Bhatia is responsible for the legal functioning of the Company. With over 32 years of experience as a lawyer, Sanjay has been an integral part of CleanMax’s growth story since 2018 advising the company and its 130-plus subsidiaries on the full spectrum of corporate laws and transactional matters. Sanjay plays a pivotal role in negotiating and closing open access and captive power purchase agreements and EPC contracts, apart from overseeing the closure of debt financing agreements, business transfer agreements, M&A deals, and advising on real estate, general corporate and dispute resolution matters.

A graduate of the National Law School of India University, Sanjay began his career as a litigating lawyer, representing clients before the district courts in Bangalore and the Karnataka High Court. He served as legal counsel at SunEdison India as well. With over 15 years in the renewable energy industry, Sanjay brings expertise in conflict resolution, risk management, and negotiation to secure key deals for CleanMax.

Ashu Gupta

Vice President – Policy & Regulatory

With extensive experience in multidisciplinary management, Ashu plays a pivotal role in leading regulatory and policy strategies, overseeing permitting and approvals for solar, wind, and hybrid energy projects. His portfolio includes rooftop and distributed systems, as well as large-scale utility projects, across both onsite and offsite open-access models. With a distinguished track record in the renewable energy regulatory sector, his expertise across central and state levels is a significant asset.
Ashu has worked with leading renewable energy companies such as Rays Power Experts and Ujaas Energy Limited. Holding a master’s degree in management and a PG Diploma in Human Rights, he possesses deep expertise in renewable energy, from manufacturing to project execution. Recognized for his contributions to regulatory services in the sector, he is also a senior member of several renewable energy associations.

Akshai Raja

VP & Head of Business Development (West India)

Akshai leads growth for CleanMax in West India and has been fundamental to CleanMax in becoming a Gigawatt scale company. Joining CleanMax in 2016 at our North India office, Akshai played a pivotal role in building CleanMax’s presence in the region by identifying market opportunities and establishing strategic partnerships through demand generation.

Under his leadership, CleanMax has built market dominance in the highly industrialised states of Gujarat & Maharashtra with the launch of innovative Hybrid solutions providing first mover advantage to the firm, leading to project investments of upwards of INR 6500 CR. His expertise lies in crafting customised net zero solutions to industrial customers and brings with him a deep network in the Commercial & Industrial space. In addition to his current role, Akshai leads the Marketing and PR team to enhance CleanMax’s brand visibility.

Prior to CleanMax, Akshai worked with Goldman Sachs Inc where he was part of the Derivatives business.

Mr. Amit Sharma

VP & Head of Business Development (North India)

Amit Sharma is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the energy and sustainability sector. Previously, he held a leadership role at Schneider Electric, where he led the Sustainability Business Consulting team, driving impactful projects in energy supply management and sustainability across India. Currently, he serves as VP and Regional Head of business development at CleanMax. He spearheads strategic initiatives to expand CleanMax's footprint in the renewable energy sector, leveraging his extensive experience. Overall, with a background in management consulting and a robust understanding of energy markets across various regions he has played instrumental roles in numerous projects spanning energy management, renewable development, market analysis, and strategic planning.

Amit's expertise encompasses areas such as carbon roadmap development, energy cost optimization, demand-supply analysis, PPA conclusion and due diligence for power, renewable projects and fuel (gas and coal) markets.

Vamsi Krishna Pilla

Regional Head, Business Development (South India)

Vamsi Krishna Pilla serves as the Head of Business Development for the South Region at CleanMax. With a strategic focus on driving growth and expanding CleanMax’s footprint across South India, Vamsi leverages his expertise in business affairs and problem-solving to develop impactful green energy solutions for corporates. He previously led business development in Karnataka, where he played a pivotal role in securing key partnerships and advancing CleanMax's mission. With over a year at CleanMax and a proven track record in managing complex projects, Vamsi brings a results-driven approach to CleanMax’s sustainable energy initiatives in the region.