ICICI Bank's Joint Managing Director, Lalita Gupte, was instrumental in transforming ICICI Bank from a primarily term lending institution to a technology-led, diversified financial services group.

Gupte is now heading ICICI's foray into the international markets. Having established itself as a leader in the domestic market, ICICI now wants to increase its presence in international markets.

Gupte's challenge is to now build the bank into a strong force in the USA, Canada, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and China.

Gupte says that India offers one of the most open markets when it comes to banking and other financial services. "I think India is very open now to new businesses coming in these areas. Surely, we need more reforms, but there is this image that India is not open to new investments and businesses which need to be debunked," she says.

For tomorrow's business leaders, she advises, "Think big, think of shaping the future, not because it is important but because it is the right thing to do."

Lalita Gupte, ICICI Bank's Joint Managing Director, at the ISB.