An MBA from Harvard Business School, Ms Kidwai is recognized as an influential player in the banking and financial services industry.

Repeatedly ranked in the Fortune global list of Top Women in Business, she has also been on the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times Global List of Women to Watch and was listed by Time Magazine as one of their 15 Global Influentials 2002.

She received the Padma Shri Award in 2007 from the Government of India for her contribution to Trade and Industry.

Until recently Ms Naina Lal Kidwai was Executive Director on the Board of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and was Chairman of HSBC India.

She is non-executive Director on the Board of Nestle SA and member of the Audit Committee and the Chairman's and Corporate Governance Committee for Asset Liability Management.

She is also a global advisor Harvard Business School and Chairman of its South Asia Advisory Board.

A past President of FICCI, Ms Kidwai is the Chairperson of the FICCI Water Mission, FICCI Inclusive Governance Council and the India Sanitation Coalition.

Her interests in the environment also include being on the Shakthi Sustainable foundation board and a Global Commissioner for the Climate and Economy.

Ms Kidwai has edited 2 books "Contemporary Banking in India" and "30 Women CEOs: Their Voices, Their Stories".