Shereen Bhan: Celebrating the defining voice in India’s business news

Shereen Bhan, one of India’s most respected business journalists and the Managing Editor of CNBC-TV18, turns 49 today. Born on August 20, 1976, Bhan has become a defining voice in business news, shaping the way India consumes financial and entrepreneurial stories for more than two decades.

A Kashmiri Pandit by heritage, Bhan completed her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kashmir and Air Force Bal Bharati School in New Delhi, before pursuing philosophy at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. She later earned her Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Pune, specialising in film and television.

Her journey in journalism began as a news researcher with Karan Thapar’s Infotainment Television. She went on to produce landmark shows such as *We the People* for Star TV and *Line of Fire* for SAB TV before joining CNBC-TV18 in December 2000. Over the years, she has become synonymous with the channel’s flagship programming, from *India Business Hour* and *Power Turks* to *Young Turks*, India’s longest-running show on entrepreneurship.

Bhan has interviewed some of the world’s most influential business leaders including Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Satya Nadella, Sheryl Sandberg and Indra Nooyi. Her coverage of economic policy and her conversations with Indian cabinet ministers and policymakers have set the tone for serious business journalism in the country.

Beyond daily news, Bhan has pioneered special programming such as *Ministers of Change* and *What Women Really Want*, broadening the scope of business television. Her show *Overdrive* won the News Television Award for Best Auto Show three years in a row. She also co-authored the book *Young Turks: Inspiring Stories of Tech Entrepreneurs*, capturing India’s startup wave.

Over the years, she has been recognised with numerous honours, including the FICCI Woman of the Year award (2005), the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader title (2009), ENBA’s Best Anchor and Managing Editor of the Year (2019–20), and the Bharat Asmita National Award for Business Journalism (2022). She has also consistently featured in Impact’s list of the 50 Most Influential Women in Indian Media.

While she keeps her personal life private, her professional achievements speak volumes. For many young journalists and entrepreneurs, Shereen Bhan represents integrity, excellence and innovation in storytelling.

On her birthday, the industry celebrates not just her longevity in business news but also her role in shaping conversations around India’s economy, markets and entrepreneurship.