Fortis co-founder Shivinder Singh steps down to join spiritual organisation

Shivinder Mohan Singh is stepping down as executive vice chairman of Fortis Healthcare to join a spiritual organisation, Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB), based in Beas, near Amritsar.

Singh (40), who is the co-founder of the healthcare chain, will become the non-executive vice-chairman with effect from 1 January 2016, the company said in a statement.

"Having spent almost two decades setting up and running Fortis, our mission of saving and enriching lives is an integral part of my being. Over time this has inspired me to do more direct service and give back to society a little of what I have received in abundance," Singh said commenting on his decision to step down from active role in the firm.

Singh said he had requested for 'Sewa' at Radha Soami Beas. "I am fortunate to have been accepted. I will move to Dera, Beas post transitioning my executive responsibilities at Fortis," he said.

"It is not always that one gets to commit oneself in the service of the society and I am delighted that Shivinder is taking this step at this phase of his life," Fortis executive chairman Malvinder Singh said.

Shivinder's contribution to the creation and evolution of Fortis as the leading healthcare delivery organisation of India has been tremendous, Malvinder added.

The Singh brothers sold their major stake in Ranbaxy to Japanese drug major Daiichi Sankyo in 2008.

Shivinder Singh co-founded Fortis Healthcare with his elder brother Malvinder Mohan Singh in late 1990s.

He is also one of the principal promoters of Religare Enterprises Ltd, Super Religare Laboratories Ltd and Religare Technologies Ltd.

Shivinder Singh has an MBA with specialisation in health sector management from the Duke University Business School, USA. He is an alumnus of Doon School and an Honours in Mathematics from St Stephens College.

The Fortis Healthcare chain comprise hospitals, diagnostics and day care speciality facilities. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 54 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), approximately 10,000 potential beds and 260 diagnostic centres.