The Legal Luminary Redefining Corporate Governance in India
In the world of boardrooms and billion-dollar decisions, few names command the respect that Sameet Gambhir does. A seasoned legal professional with over three and a half decades of distinguished experience, Sameet has shaped the governance landscape of some of the most reputed Indian and global organizations. Today, as Senior Vice President and Head of Legal at UFlex Ltd, India’s largest multinational flexible packaging solutions company, he stands as a beacon of integrity, wisdom, and ethical leadership.
Every great story begins with a twist of fate, and so did Sameet’s. “Destiny plays a very important role in our lives,” he muses. “I never planned to be a lawyer, it just happened.”
While pursuing his B.Com degree, Sameet aspired to become a Chartered Accountant. To gain practical experience, he joined an organization’s accounts department and that’s where destiny intervened. “I met the Company Secretary and Legal Counsel there, and their profile fascinated me,” he recalls. “They were handling significant matters, interacting with top management, and sitting in board meetings. I was captivated.”
This encounter sparked a change in direction. He enrolled in the Company Secretary (CS) course, marking the beginning of a lifelong tryst with law and governance. “When I was entrusted with legal responsibilities for the first time, I realized this is what I was meant to do,” he says. That moment of clarity turned into a calling, and soon after, he pursued a degree in law to strengthen his foundation.
Over the next 35 years, Sameet’s journey would take him across continents and corporate corridors, from Indian enterprises to global powerhouses like KPMG, Schneider Electric, DCM Shriram and finally UFlex Ltd, where he currently leads as the head of the legal function. His expertise spans litigations, contracting, IPRs, brand protection, compliance, and corporate governance, making him one of India’s most respected voices in the legal fraternity.
“It’s been a journey of constant learning,” he says. “I’ve always believed in keeping things simple and transparent. Honesty and positive thinking are my greatest strengths.” But with characteristic humility, he adds, “At times, being too straightforward can also become your weakness, yet I’d never trade authenticity for convenience.”
At UFlex, Sameet oversees legal operations across multiple countries, managing a complex network of compliance frameworks, risk assessments, and governance structures. Under his watch, UFlex’s legal department has become a model of excellence, ensuring the company’s global presence remains anchored in ethics and accountability.
For Sameet, leadership is not about authority but about empowerment. “I believe in delegation and trust,” he explains. “It’s what I call the ‘monkey style’ of leadership, you don’t interfere in every detail. Delegate, coach, and then step back to watch your team thrive.”
Sameet’s leadership and expertise have been recognized nationally and internationally. He has been named Top In-house Counsel by Forbes India for four consecutive years (2021–2024), featured in the GC Powerlist India by Legal 500, and conferred with the Chief Legal Officer of the Year 2024 by UBS Forums. His trophy shelf also includes honors like Bharat GC Doyen 2024 by ASSOCHAM, Compliance Lawyer of the Year 2022 by LegalEra, and listings among the Finest GCs of India and Distinguished Legal Minds of India.
Behind this towering professional stands a man deeply grounded in family values. “My mother has been my greatest inspiration,” he says with quiet emotion. “She was a school teacher, and the value system she instilled, honesty, humility, and discipline, has guided every decision in my life.”
That grounding has helped him balance an immensely demanding profession with personal peace. “You must draw a line between work and home,” he asserts. “If an issue troubles me, I prefer resolving it at work rather than carrying it home. Once I’m home, I disconnect completely. That mental boundary keeps life balanced.”
When he’s not navigating corporate complexities, Sameet finds solace in the greens. “Golf is my best healing therapy,” he laughs. “If I don’t play two to three times a week, it feels like the week is wasted. Spending those hours with friends on the course is pure bliss, the best addiction one can have.”
The sport, he believes, mirrors life itself, patience, focus, and persistence define success both on the field and off it.
Sameet’s influence extends far beyond his office. A sought-after speaker and panelist, he has shared insights on governance, compliance, and ESG issues across global forums in Dubai, Poland, Netherland, Jordan, Turkey, London and the USA. He also serves in numerous advisory roles, from chairing the Corporate Affairs Committee at PHDCCI to being part of national boards / committees under the Ministry of Commerce, ICSI, CII and ASSOCHAM. Through lectures at leading business / Law schools like IMI Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, NDIM Delhi, GD Goenka Law School, Kalinga University Law school and LBSIM, he continues to mentor future leaders of the legal world.
Ask him what advice he’d give young professionals, and his answer carries the weight of experience and sincerity, “Be yourself. Don’t copy anyone. Every person is unique. Continuous learning is essential, but imitation makes you lose yourself.”
Sameet Gambhir’s story is not just about professional success, it’s about purpose, principle, and the quiet power of integrity. In an era where speed often trumps sincerity, his journey stands as a timeless reminder that real leadership is not built in the spotlight but in the shadows of consistent effort and unwavering ethics.
