Burmans of Dabur Take Control of Religare Enterprises in 2025

Burmans of Dabur Secure Control of Religare Enterprises After 18-Month Battle

A Milestone Victory for the Burman Family

After an intense 18-month struggle, the Burman family, renowned for their leadership at Dabur, has successfully taken control of Religare Enterprises. This pivotal move marks a significant shift in their role from public shareholders to official promoters of the financial services company, amplifying their influence in India’s growing financial sector.

The Burmans’ journey to this achievement has been anything but smooth. With regulatory hurdles and boardroom challenges behind them, their persistence has paid off, positioning them as key players in Religare’s future. This transition not only strengthens their foothold but also opens new avenues for growth in financial services.

Ownership and Strategic Power

Currently, the Burman family holds a 25.2% stake in Religare Enterprises. This ownership level grants them the authority to pass special resolutions, a critical threshold for steering the company’s strategic direction. However, any plans to increase their stake beyond 26% will require approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), ensuring regulatory oversight remains a key factor in their expansion ambitions.

Despite their newfound control, the Burmans have yet to appoint representatives to Religare’s board. Earlier attempts to nominate directors—Arjun Lamba, Abhay Agarwal, Ramanathan Gurumurthy, and Suresh Mahalingam—were stalled due to lack of RBI approval. Moving forward, they’ll need to propose new candidates or resubmit names that align with the regulator’s stringent criteria.

Who’s Leading the Charge?

Among the previously proposed directors, Arjun Lamba stands out as a trusted confidant of Dabur Chairman Mohit Burman. Lamba’s role as a director at Eveready Industries highlights his experience in corporate governance, making him a potential contender for Religare’s board once regulatory clearance is secured.

A Vision for Stability and Growth

A spokesperson for the Burman Group expressed optimism about this milestone, stating: “We are pleased to announce that we have acquired control of Religare and been designated as its promoters. Our priority is to instill stability, strengthen governance, and drive sustainable growth at Religare.” This vision underscores their commitment to transforming Religare into a robust financial services platform.

The Burmans aim to leverage Religare’s diverse portfolio, which spans lending, insurance, and broking services, to compete with industry giants. Their track record with Dabur, a household name in consumer goods, suggests they bring a wealth of business acumen to this venture.

What Lies Ahead for Religare?

While the Burmans have crossed a major hurdle, the road ahead involves navigating regulatory approvals and establishing a cohesive board. Their immediate focus will likely be on stabilizing operations and enhancing governance structures to rebuild investor confidence. For retail investors, this development signals potential growth opportunities as Religare evolves under new leadership.

• Key Takeaway #1: The Burmans’ 25.2% stake empowers them to influence Religare’s strategic decisions.
• Key Takeaway #2: RBI approval remains crucial for further stake increases and board appointments.
• Key Takeaway #3: Stability and sustainable growth are top priorities for Religare’s new promoters.

As the Burman family steps into this prominent role, their success will depend on balancing regulatory compliance with ambitious growth plans. For now, their control of Religare Enterprises marks a turning point in their pursuit of a stronger presence in India’s financial landscape.

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