About

In 2013, seasoned general counsel Prarabdha Jaipuriar joined Suez India, a waste collection and water resource company that provides solutions to address new resource management challenges for commercial and consumer markets. With consistent diligence and an aptitude for success he has worked his way through the ranks to assume his current position as head of legal for all Suez India entities, including Degremont India. Since assuming the role of general counsel for the Indian subcontinent, Jaipuriar has been integral in enforcing the business’ aim to develop synergies across functions so that the legal function is an active facilitator of the business. Knowledge of the legal team has expanded, with plans to develop a law library and dedicated seminars and webinars to solidify this awareness. Among his most exceptional achievements, taking a guiding role in the acquisition of majority stake in Driplex was one of the most notable accomplishments of his career. This acquisition sealed the relationship between two leading players in the market, aiming to cater for India’s increasing industrial water demand and ever-changing rigorous environmental regulations. Reflecting on his past achievements Jaipuriar says: ‘My in-house career has been far more exciting than I had expected it to be. The highlight has been my involvement in Suez’s M&A activity in India when it acquired majority stake in a leading Indian player in industrial treatment solutions, Driplex. It was a challenging assignment. The stakes were high and the expectations even higher’. Jaipuriar concedes that the role of an in-house lawyer is getting increasingly challenging due to the responsibilities the industry brings: ‘A GC cannot afford to be a passive actor anymore. He or she is expected to have a hands-on approach. Moreover, a GC has to take ownership of their decisions, some of which may not yield the expected outcomes’. Jaipuriar explains that the trust of management and shareholders is perhaps the greatest measure of value addition to the business. In light of a great deal of variation and uncertainty in sectorial regulation, Jaipuriar represented Suez India in a series of meetings held by Ministry of Water Resources on the hybrid annuity model being developed by the Ministry to set up sewage treatment plants to clean the river Ganga.