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The Red Book – Astrum Code of Conduct.

Astrum Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct is our commitment to our people, our clients and our community with ethical and fair business conduct, honesty of purpose and corporate citizenship.

My Pledge: Upholding Astrum’s Reputation

At Astrum, our reputation is our most valuable asset. It builds trust with clients, attracts investors, and draws the best talent. I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in all dealings with colleagues, clients, shareholders, and business partners. I will uphold these standards in all my dealings with my colleagues and our stakeholders- including our clients, shareholders and business partners.

I commit to the Astrum Code

I understand that no waivers or exceptions to the Astrum Code will be made under any circumstances for anyone working on Astrum’s behalf, regardless of job function or role. To maintain the highest standards of integrity, I will dedicate myself to the pursuit of the Astrum Code. If I fail to do so, disciplinary action that may include termination of my contract with the firm may be initiated against me.

My moral compass will be my guide

I commit to

  • Maintaining business ethics and transparency.
  • Strengthening Astrum’s reputation through my actions.
  • Using my moral compass and judgment for situations beyond formal guidelines.
Guiding Questions for Ethical Decisions
Does my decision align with Astrum’s values?
Am I setting a positive example for colleagues?
Would I be comfortable if my action were publicized?
Does it protect the firm’s reputation and client trust?
Would I be proud of this action personally?
Commitment To Colleagues
Lead with Integrity
  • Maintain honesty, respect, and fairness in all internal interactions.
  • Promote ethical leadership and encourage open communication.
Foster Respect and Inclusion
  • Treat everyone with dignity, empathy, and professionalism.
  • Support diversity and equal opportunity, ensuring employment decisions are merit-based.
Champion Performance Excellence
  • Uphold high standards of service, reliability, and results.
  • Seek continuous improvement and encourage excellence across teams.
Safe and Healthy Workplace 
  • Maintain a harassment-free, non-violent, and substance-free environment. 
  • Comply with all safety procedures and local regulations to ensure employee well-being.

Commitment To Clients & Partners

Honesty and Transparency
  • Provide complete, factual, and truthful information.
  • Avoid disparaging remarks about competitors or colleagues.
  • Maintain consistency both onsite and offsite, even in challenging circumstances.
Gifts, Entertainment, and Business Ethics
  • No acceptance or offering of gifts or favours that may influence business decisions.
  • Follow strict rules for government interactions and avoid conflicts of interest.
Partner Engagement & Collaboration
  • Involve partners actively in decision-making processes.
  • Honor commitments and deliver excellence consistently.
  • Ensure clear, transparent, and timely communication.

Commitment To Self

Conflict of Interest
  • Avoid situations where personal interests conflict with the firm’s or clients’ interests.
  • Disclose any family or personal affiliations that may affect decisions.
  • Ensure transparency in outside employment, business opportunities, or investments.
Financial Integrity
  • Ensure accurate reporting of all financial transactions.
  • Practice frugality and prudent resource management.
  • Protect the firm’s assets, intellectual property, and client collateral.
Confidentiality & Information Security
  • Protect sensitive information of the firm, clients, and partners.
  • Use AI, IT systems, and digital tools responsibly and ethically.
  • Avoid insider trading and unauthorized media communication.

Commitment To Country & Society

Legal and Regulatory Compliance
  • Comply with Indian laws, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, competition, IT, and AI regulations.
  • Avoid misuse of firm resources for political or personal purposes.
Environmental Responsibility
  • Minimize environmental hazards, conserve resources, and reduce waste.
  • Promote sustainable practices across business operations.

Reporting Violations

  • Promptly report any suspected breaches to the Founding Managing Partner or Chief Talent Officer.
  • Reports made in good faith are fully protected against retaliation.
  • Cooperate fully in investigations to maintain transparency, trust, and compliance.

Declaration Of Commitment

I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for my actions and the firm’s reputation. I understand the Astrum Code of Conduct and agree to comply fully. I recognize that any violation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

By adhering to this Code, I contribute to Astrum’s legacy of integrity, trust, and world-class reputation management.

Our Advisory Board

Sandip DAS

Nitin GUPTA

Shailesh HARIBHAKTI​

Rajan KALIA

Sandip DAS

Sandip Das is the member of the Advisory Board at Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm that helps clients successfully negotiate the complex landscape of Reputation, Risk, Regulation & ESG.

Sandip, one of India’s most respected telecom professionals; he is currently an independent Board Director and Advisor with Sterlite Technologies Ltd., Vedanta Group.

Sandip began his career with the DCM Shriram group as a Management Trainee and thereafter after spending a decade with the Group in Usha International, worked with Toyota Motor Corporation in Dubai for 6 years. He was one of the founding members of mobile telephony in India that started with Hutchison Max Telecom (now called Vodafone) in 1994. After having spent over a decade with the company, he remitted his charge in 2006 as CEO and Director on the board of Vodafone India having successfully launched the Orange and Hutch brands.  He subsequently led Maxis Group of companies in Malaysia as Group CEO overseeing Maxis Malaysia, Aircel, India, Axis Indonesia and Sri Lanka Telecom as a Director on all the boards. He was voted best CEO in Malaysia in 2012.Early in 2013 he was appointed as Member of the Board of Directors, Managing Director and CEO of Reliance Jio to oversee India’s largest and most of the most complex 4G rollout. He left Jio in early 2015.

During his career he has appeared for four consecutive years on the global list of The 100 Most Powerful people in World Telecom. Sandip Das is a Mechanical Engineer with a Master in Business Administration FMS, Delhi and an alum of the AMP, Harvard Business School.

Sandip is married to Purnima, a successful HR professional. Purnima and Sandip are proud parents of Kartik and Pallavi.

Nitin GUPTA

Nitin Gupta is a member of the Advisory Board at Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm that helps clients successfully negotiate the complex landscape of Reputation, Risk, Regulation & ESG.

Nitin’s career spanned CEO & Board roles across financial services, consumer goods and tech / internet. Nitin is also the Co-Founder of Faircent, India’s first P2P lending company. He has served on the Board of Directors of Pramerica Life Insurance, a JV with Prudential of the US.  He has been on the Boards of Oikocredit International, Fusion Microfinance, and Loyalty Rewardz. Nitin was also a non-executive Co-Founder of Lets Buy, one of India’s most successful e-commerce start-ups, which was sold to FlipKart, India’s #1 e-commerce company.

Between the years 2003 and 2008, Nitin was with MasterCard Worldwide as their CEO for South Asia. Prior to that, he has been President of Rediff.com, and President of GE Capital India’s retail financing business. Nitin received an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, a law degree from Mumbai University, and an Economics Honours degree from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.

Shailesh HARIBHAKTI

Mr. Shailesh Haribhakti is a member of the Advisory Board at Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm that helps clients successfully negotiate the complex landscape of Reputation, Risk, Regulation & ESG.

Mr. Shailesh Haribhakti is a pioneering advocate of ESG, CSR, and sustainability, with a five-decade career as a Chartered and Cost Accountant. He has championed the integration of technology with sustainability through his groundbreaking “Innovate to Zero” concept— ensuring every intervention creates focused, far-reaching, and cooperative impact. As Chairman of numerous ESG, CSR, and Sustainability committees across leading boards, he has consistently driven green transformation and shared value creation. He actively promotes sustainable enterprise through his own firm and leadership roles. Recognized globally with the GCB.D designation and the Vivekananda Sustainability Award, Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) Awards for Excellency in Sustainability 2025 and a honorary Doctor of Letters from ITM University he continues to influence ESG policy, boardroom strategy, and public discourse through teaching, writing, and thought leadership.

A prolific author, Shailesh has co-authored influential books: Digital Professional, Audit Renaissance, ESG, AI Auditing and Sustainable Abundance, History of Mankind, India in 2050, The Pathway to an Advanced, Green, AI-Led India, Awake. These works reflect his forward-thinking approach to governance, technology, and sustainability. He is also actively pioneering the use of Artificial Intelligence to drive transformative change in several organizations.

Rajan KALIA

Rajan Kalia is the member of the Advisory Board at Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm that helps clients successfully negotiate the complex landscape of Reputation, Risk, Regulation & ESG.

Rajan excels at solving complex people problems in organizations, setting them on their next growth path. His firm specializes in Leadership Development, Talent Management, Organizational Transformation, Customer Service Excellence, and Sales Effectiveness. He created the revolutionary One Minute Feedback mobile application, Karma Notes.

With 32 years of rich and varied experience as an entrepreneur and corporate executive, Rajan collaborates on cutting-edge Leadership Development and Talent Management projects with The Fast Future Executive and Marc Effron for Fortune 100 companies globally. Closer to home, he is involved with Harvard Business Press, Stanford Seed, Caltech, and SHRM India, where he advises, consults, teaches, and coaches their clients and serves on advisory boards of organizations across India.

For the past 13 years, Rajan has been consulting, advising, training, developing leaders, coaching, and launching organizations into their next growth orbit. He has worked with over 160 clients in various sectors, including Fortune 100 global firms and Indian private and public sector companies. Clients seek his expertise to solve complex people problems in areas such as Leadership Development, Talent/Performance Management, Talent Strategy, and Organizational Transformation. His interventions have led clients to win “Brandon Hall” Gold awards.

Rajan’s career began in 1992, garnering expertise across multiple sectors: manufacturing with Eicher and Ballarpur Industries, FMCG with Coca-Cola, and consulting with Eicher Consultancy Services (ECS), before leading Human Capital functions in financial services with Max New York Life Insurance (MNYL). He spent over a decade in the BFSI sector.

Trained by Harvard Business Publishing, DDI, SHL, McKinsey, and Right Management, Rajan is an international speaker and expert in Leadership in the New World of Work, Human Resources, and Talent Management. He has been instrumental in setting up and leading HR functions, formulating talent philosophy, strategy, and policies. He regularly publishes on LinkedIn and co-authored a chapter in The Fast Future Blur, published in May 2024.

Rajan holds a Master’s in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from Panjab University, Chandigarh.