Kashi Nath Memani, the former Chairman of EY India who led the firm’s strategic national expansion and its 2002 merger with Arthur Andersen, has passed away at 88. His career spanned nearly five decades, shaping the firm into a major player in the audit sector. As a private organization, EY India is not listed on the Indian stock exchanges.
Kashi Nath Memani, the former Chairman and Country Managing Partner of EY India, passed away on October 8, 2026, at the age of 88. A prominent figure in India's audit and professional services sector, Memani was instrumental in building the firm’s presence in the country over a career that spanned nearly five decades.
Memani joined the firm, originally known as S. R. Batliboi & Co., in 1959. One of his most significant strategic decisions occurred in 1970 when he oversaw the relocation of the firm’s primary operations from Kolkata to New Delhi. This move allowed the practice to position itself within the nation's policy-making and industrial hub during a period of shifting socio-economic trends. This foresight enabled the firm to later capture substantial growth opportunities during the expansion of India’s information technology sector.
In 1996, Memani assumed the role of Chairman and Country Managing Partner, beginning a period of aggressive consolidation. The most notable development during his tenure was the 2002 merger with Arthur Andersen’s India business. This deal significantly increased the firm’s scale and cemented its influence among major Indian corporations. Following his departure in 2004, his son, Rajiv Memani, took over the top leadership role, ensuring continuity in the firm's management structure.
While the firm is a long-standing entity, its recent years have also faced notable challenges. In 2024, the organization was subject to intense public and regulatory scrutiny regarding its internal work culture following the death of an employee. This event triggered government investigations and raised significant questions regarding professional accountability and work-life policies within the audit industry, an issue that became a major topic of public discourse.
For readers and market observers, it is important to clarify the nature of the entity. EY India is a private organization. It is not a publicly listed company on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) or the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Therefore, the firm does not have any publicly traded shares, and its financial performance is not subject to the same regulatory filing requirements as listed Indian companies.