Smartworks, a leading coworking space provider, has appointed Rajeev Krishnamuralilal Agarwal as an additional non-executive and independent director and recommended Justice (retired) Dilip Deshmukh for a similar role, pending shareholder approval, the company announced this week in a BSE filing. These appointments aim to enhance the company’s board expertise amid its rapid expansion in India and Singapore, according to inc42.com.
Rajeev Agarwal is a former whole-time member of SEBI and an Indian Revenue Service officer from the 1983 batch. During his tenure at SEBI, he managed key regulatory functions across securities markets, including mutual funds and market surveillance. Agarwal currently serves as an independent director on the boards of ACC, One97 Communications, and Star Health and Allied Insurance. Justice Dilip Deshmukh brings over 40 years of judicial and corporate adjudication experience, having served as chairman of the company law board and as a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, inc42.com reported.
The appointments come as Smartworks accelerates its growth strategy, including recent expansion moves in Singapore. Adding directors with deep expertise in capital markets, financial regulation, corporate governance, and legal adjudication is expected to support the company’s governance framework and strategic oversight. Such board strengthening is common among coworking and real estate startups scaling operations, reflecting a focus on compliance and risk management amid rapid market growth, inc42.com noted.
Smartworks’ shareholder approval for Justice Deshmukh’s appointment is pending, while Agarwal’s appointment is effective immediately. The company’s recent acquisition in Singapore and board enhancements underscore its commitment to scaling governance alongside business expansion, inc42.com stated.