Honoring the legacy of Mr. Kashi Nath Memani

Mr. Kashi Nath Memani, former Chairman and Country Managing Partner of EY India, passed away on 8 October 2026 following a prolonged illness.

Mr. Memani was a visionary, an institution builder and, to many who worked closely with him, a mentor and guide. Through decades of leadership and service, he helped build the firm’s culture and reputation and laid foundations that continue to support our success today.

Mr. Memani began his journey with S. R. Batliboi in Kolkata in 1959, rising to become Partner in 1968 through his hard work, strong ethics and professional excellence. Along with Amal Chakrabortti and Nawshir Mirza, he played an important role in the firm's growth, becoming a trusted adviser to leading Indian and multinational companies. He served as Chairman and Country Managing Partner of EY India from 1996 to 2004, leading the firm’s expansion along with India’s post-liberalization growth. In 2002, under his leadership, EY India acquired and successfully integrated Arthur Andersen's India business, helping establish EY as one of the country's leading professional services firms.

His legacy lives on in the countless relationships he nurtured through integrity, generosity and a deep commitment to service. To him, the firm was family. Those who had the privilege of working with him often recalled how deeply he cared about people and the importance he placed on cultivating a sense of community. He had a remarkable ability to make colleagues and their families feel part of an extended family, sharing their joys and celebrations and welcoming them into the firm's milestones.

Beyond his commitment to the firm, Mr. Memani engaged closely with government and industry institutions. For two consecutive years, he served on the External Audit Committee of the International Monetary Fund, becoming the only Indian to be appointed to the Committee, and chaired it in 1999-2000. He was Co-Chairman of the Expert Committee which drafted the new Companies Act and also served as Chairman of the Quality Review Board, which oversees the quality of auditors. Mr. Memani contributed significantly to policymaking and served the interests of Indian industry through his leadership roles at industry bodies such as the AMCHAM, FICCI and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Post his retirement, he remained actively engaged with corporate India, serving on the boards of DLF, Hindustan Times, ICICI Venture and several other organizations, a reflection of the depth of his experience and wisdom.

He was also deeply committed to the cause of education and co-founded Him Jyoti School for underprivileged girls in Dehradun in 2005, which has been ranked among the top philanthropic schools in India.

On the personal front too, Mr. Memani had wide-ranging interests including cinema, poetry and literature. He rarely missed his weekly movie outings. His love for poetry inspired him to help establish Parampara, a forum which celebrates and honors India's finest poets.

We will always be grateful for the profound impact he had on the profession, corporate India and the institution he helped build.

Please join us in honoring his life and legacy.

With condolences,

EY India team