HR veteran Inder Walia of IFB no more

Inder Walia was in leadership roles at ArcelorMittal, Bharti Enterprises and Mittal Steel NV

by e4m Staff
Published: Sep 4, 2025 12:20 PM | 1 min read

For over three decades, Inder Walia stood at the intersection of business strategy and human connection, demonstrating that organisations grow stronger when people come first. On 3 September 2025, the veteran HR leader passed away, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence both companies and professionals across sectors.

Walia’s career saw him in pivotal leadership roles at ArcelorMittal, Bharti Enterprises and Mittal Steel NV. He later extended his expertise to the boardroom, contributing to institutions such as Ummeed Housing Finance. An alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, he was recognised as a trusted advisor who steered organisations through transformation while embedding inclusivity and trust at the core of their cultures.

Colleagues remember him as a mentor who could balance business imperatives with empathy, shaping leaders and creating workplaces where people felt valued. His work in talent development, leadership grooming and cultural transformation continues to inspire HR professionals.

Those who knew him speak of his quiet presence, patient listening and conviction that HR was not about rules or policies, but about building environments where individuals could thrive and contribute with purpose.

His passing marks the loss of a guiding force in the HR fraternity, but his impact will remain visible in the leaders he nurtured and the inclusive workplaces he helped create.