IIFL Home Finance appoints Aarti Marwaha Upadhyay as CHRO
IIFL Home Finance appoints Aarti Marwaha Upadhyay as CHRO and Ajay Sachdewa as Group CBO to drive talent, strategy, and inclusive growth in housing finance.

Mumbai, India – September 3, 2025 — In a move that signals its commitment to building a future-ready organization, IIFL Home Finance, one of India’s leading affordable housing finance companies, has announced two key leadership appointments: Aarti Marwaha Upadhyay as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Ajay Sachdewa as Group Chief Business Officer (CBO). These appointments come at a time when the housing finance sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital innovation, regulatory shifts, and a growing demand for inclusive financial solutions.
The dual appointments reflect IIFL Home Finance’s strategic intent to deepen its leadership capabilities across both people and business functions, ensuring alignment with its long-term vision of enabling accessible home ownership for underserved segments across India.
Aarti Marwaha Upadhyay: Championing People-First Transformation
As CHRO, Aarti Marwaha Upadhyay will lead the company’s human capital strategy, focusing on talent acquisition, leadership development, employee engagement, diversity & inclusion, and cultural transformation. With nearly two decades of experience in HR leadership across sectors such as retail, NBFCs, telecom, and energy, Upadhyay brings a rich blend of strategic foresight and operational rigor to the role.
Her previous roles include serving as Chief People Officer at Devyani International, and senior HR positions at Walmart, Lenskart, and Religare Enterprises. Known for her ability to drive mindset shifts and embed people-centric practices into business strategy, Upadhyay’s appointment is expected to catalyze a new phase of organizational development at IIFL Home Finance.
Speaking on her new role, Upadhyay shared her vision for the company’s people agenda:
“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about enabling leaders to embrace mindset shifts, drive cultural transformation, and quick adoption to changing business dynamics. I firmly believe that every individual has the potential to be a game changer—if they are supported, empowered, and mentored in the right way. I am excited to bring this philosophy to life within the Company and contribute to shaping a progressive, people-first organization.”
Her appointment comes at a time when the housing finance industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of employee wellbeing, psychological safety, and inclusive leadership as drivers of performance and innovation. Upadhyay’s expertise in embedding these principles into organizational culture is expected to play a pivotal role in IIFL Home Finance’s growth journey.
Ajay Sachdewa: Driving Strategic Business Expansion
Joining Upadhyay in the leadership suite is Ajay Sachdewa, who takes on the role of Group Chief Business Officer. With over 20 years of experience in financial services and housing finance, Sachdewa will be responsible for shaping business strategy, expanding distribution networks, enhancing sales productivity, and deepening customer engagement.
His career spans leadership roles at Axis Bank, HDFC Limited, and HDFC Sales, where he was instrumental in building scalable, customer-centric business models across both domestic and international markets. At IIFL Home Finance, Sachdewa’s mandate includes accelerating growth in regional markets, optimizing channel performance, and aligning business execution with the company’s affordable housing mission.
Sachdewa’s appointment is particularly timely as the company looks to strengthen its presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where demand for affordable housing continues to rise. His experience in navigating complex regulatory environments and building high-performance teams will be crucial in driving sustainable expansion.
Strategic Context: Building for Scale and Inclusion
The appointments of Upadhyay and Sachdewa are part of a broader organizational refresh aimed at positioning IIFL Home Finance as a leading enabler of housing finance in India. With the government’s continued push for financial inclusion and housing for all, the sector is witnessing increased competition, evolving customer expectations, and a need for agile, tech-enabled service delivery.
By investing in leadership that blends strategic insight with operational excellence, IIFL Home Finance is reinforcing its commitment to responsible growth, innovation across products and distribution, and meaningful contributions to national priorities.
The company’s leadership emphasized that these appointments are not just about filling roles, but about shaping the future of the organization. “We are building a leadership team that reflects our values, understands our customers, and is equipped to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving market,” said a spokesperson from IIFL Home Finance.
Sector Implications: A Talent-Led Approach to Transformation
Industry analysts note that the housing finance sector is increasingly relying on talent-led transformation to stay competitive. As companies expand into new geographies and adopt digital platforms, the need for leaders who can integrate business priorities with people-centric strategies has never been greater.
Upadhyay’s focus on psychological safety, inclusion, and leadership enablement aligns with global trends in organizational development, while Sachdewa’s track record in business execution and customer engagement positions IIFL Home Finance to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Together, their appointments signal a shift toward holistic leadership—where human capital and business strategy are not siloed, but deeply intertwined.
Looking Ahead
As IIFL Home Finance continues to scale its operations and deepen its impact, the strengthened leadership team is expected to play a central role in shaping the company’s next chapter. With a renewed focus on talent, strategy, and inclusive growth, the organization is well-positioned to navigate the challenges of the housing finance landscape and deliver on its promise of accessible home ownership for all. For further insights into the evolving workplace paradigm, visit
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