Dr. Pradip K. Desai
Chairman Emeritus
- Dr. Pradip K. Desai is the Founder Chairman and key promoter of the Company.He is MD (Pathology) from B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad with brilliant academic career. He started his practice as a Pathologist in 1966 and soon became the leading pathologist in Gujarat. While practicing as Pathologist at Surat, he founded Span Diagnostics in 1976 with a vision to establish manufacturing of IVD products in India through in-house Research and Development. His initial efforts paved the way for developing Indian IVD Industry with Span becoming the first Indian company to manufacture indigenous IVD products in India. Span Diagnostics became private limited company in 1981 and eventually public limited company in 1994. He served Company’s board till November 10, 2025.After having laid foundation for establishing the IVD product manufacturing industry in India, he contributed immensely for its expansion with his relentless in-house R & D endeavours, along with bringing latest technologies to India through his enviable networking in Global IVD industry and research institutes. He has published several research papers and filed Patents in field of IVD. He has played pivotal role in establishing Company’s strong foundation, driving sustained growth, and fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and innovation.
Dr.Desai has been a visionary leader, and outstanding contributor to the Company’s progress. His efforts continued even after Company reshaped from Span Diagnostics to Span Divergent, diversifying in diverse businesses
Some prestigious positions, where Dr.Desai held position as key member and contributed in their foundations.
- Founding President of Association of Diagnostics Manufacturers of India (ADMI).
- Founder member, President & Trustee, Surat Raktadan Kendra, Surat (Since 1981)
- Advisor in Pathology & Trustee, Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad
- Chairman, Span Education & Research Foundation, Surat.
- Member, Govt. of India’s Task force on promoting large scale use of Biotechnology (1994-99).
- Invitee on the State Govt. Panel for promotion of Biotechnology in Gujarat (Since 2005).
- Member of task force on immunodiagnostics, Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (1996-99).
- Served as member of task force on HRD, Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India.
- President Vanita Vishram, Surat
Looking at Dr.Desai’s outstanding services to Company, Board of Directors have conferred him with the honorary title of “Chairman Emeritus”. Dr.Desai will continue to advise and guide as mentor to the Board. His association with the Company has been integral to its success, and his position as “Chairman Emeritus” would convey and symbolise Company’s continued respect and appreciation for his legacy.
Mr. Veeral P. Desai
Managing Director
He is Associated with Span since the year 1991. By Qualification, he is a pharmacist. He is mainly involved in building, nurturing and expanding businesses through strategic initiatives like the expansion of business globally, establishing various strategic tie-ups with multinational companies etc. Under his leadership, Span was awarded the prestigious award of “Leaders of Tomorrow”. He steers the businesses of Group Companies.
Mr. Veeral Desai possess expertise in setting up new businesses from scratch, designing green field projects in the domains of Diagnostics and food processing. He led diversification forays of the Company in various sectors post-sale of the Diagnostics Business.
Mr. Veeral Desai provides honorary services to Surat Raktadan Kendra and He also serves as Charter Member of TIE.
Mr. Paras Desai
Executive Director and CFO
He is associated with Span since year 1994. By qualification, He is an Engineer with Master in Business Administration. Mr. Paras Desai started his journey from ground level at Span and reached up to a member of the Board of Directors.
He has handled several functions and assignments in areas of Sales & Marketing, Product Management, Export, Finance and Accounts, Management Information systems, Implementation of ERP, Strategic collaborations, Mergers and Acquisitions, Technology transfers, Due diligence during business transfer, Post acquisition integration of business and systems.
Mr. Rajendra Chokhawala
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
He has completed Bachelor of Commerce from South Gujarat University, Surat and Diploma in Business and Industrial Management. Mr. Rajendra Chokhawala has in-depth knowledge of Business Administration and Management Practices.
He has more than 30 years of working experience various business sectors including Real Estate Sector. He is on the board of leading Co-operative Bank and has been associated with several charitable organisations and active contributor to such institute’s activities.
Mr. Sanjay Mehta
Non-Executive Director
Managing Partner, FCA, Graduate CWA
He is FCA, GRAD, CWA by qualification and founder partner of the Firm Akkad Mehta & CO LLP. He is Practicing as a Chartered Accountant since 1975. He is also a Graduate Member of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India since 1973 and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India since 1980.
Mr. Sanjay Mehta is having varied experience in auditing, corporate advisory services in the field of taxation both domestic and international, project finance, working capital appraisals, company law compliances, company secretarial matters, FEMA regulations, indirect taxes, management accounting & MIS.
As a philanthropist, he has been associated as Trustee of various Charitable Institutes in area of support to mentally ill patients, socially downtrodden people, educational Institutes as well as institutes engaged in public welfare at large.
Dr. Shefali Desai
Non-Executive Director
She is MD (Pathology) and DCP (Pathology). She is associated with Desai Metropolis (Formerly Desai Laboratories), a leading chain of Laboratories in India since more than 24 years.
She has been Associate Vice President at Desai Metropolis Laboratory. Chronic diseases and Clinical Pathology is her domain expertise. Dr. Shefali Desai is a certified NABL Accessor and she takes care of Quality Control and administration of laboratory.
Mr. Jignesh Desai
Non-Executive Director
In 1994, Mr. Jignesh Desai, a Civil Engineer by qualification, started NJ India Invest Private Limited as a co-founder and promoter and has been acting as Director of NJ India Invest Private Limited since year 2000, the flagship Company of the NJ Group.
Mr. Jignesh Desai has over 25 years of experience in Strategic Management in the area of Securities Market, Financial Product Distribution, Portfolio Management and Retail Business.
He has been awarded with:
- Shree Girdhargopal Mundra Award for outstanding business person of the year 2017 – 2018 by South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Anavil Ratna in the year 2015 by Shree Bruhad Anavil Samaj
He has served as
- Executive committee member of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
- President of Navsari Traffic Education Trust, Shree Anavil Sanskar Trust-Navsari, Shree Bruhad Anavil Samaj- Navsari, Rotary Eye Institute- Navsari
Mr. Dharmesh V. Desai
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Dharmesh V. Desai, is the Promoter, Chairman & Managing Director of Meera Industries Limited. He has completed his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from NIT Surat, South Gujarat University. He has experience of more than Twenty years in running the business. He is technocrat and with a clear focus on innovation, He has expanded Meera Industries from a homegrown venture into a trusted global name which provides smarter and more sustainable solutions for textile Industry. He is visionary leader contributing in Self reliance mission of India by delivering world class quality products. He drives the overall business affairs including marketing strategies, capacity expansion and overall development of the business of Meera Industries Limited.
