القيادة في الحركة

تشارك أنكيتا ك. أرون (المعروفة أيضًا باسم) من شركة Ascent Lifts & Escalators رؤيتها لمستقبل التنقل العمودي مع كاتب هذه السطور (SSP).

بقلم شيتال س. باتيل

SSP: You had an excellent career in Ireland. What inspired you to return to India and join the family business?

AKA: It was definitely a huge learning opportunity for me. I worked in Ireland as a finance analyst at a global automotive technology company where I had the opportunity to collaborate with senior leadership, including several chief executives of a multi-billion-dollar organization. It also broadened my perspective and helped me build a strong international network.

While I genuinely enjoyed my career abroad, I always knew I wanted to bring those learnings back home. Even while I was in Ireland, I found myself constantly thinking about how their best practices could be adapted to strengthen our own business and create greater value for Ascent.

For me, Ascent isn’t just a company; it’s a legacy my father built through years of hard work, integrity and an unwavering commitment to customers. Returning to India wasn’t about stepping away from an international career — it was about bringing that global experience back to help scale the business, modernizing the way we operate and contributing to the next phase of Ascent's growth.

SSP: Your father is regarded as one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the elevator industry. What has his journey meant to you?

AKA: I’ve had the privilege of watching my father’s entrepreneurial journey from close quarters, and it has been one of my biggest sources of inspiration. He started Ascent with a clear vision, unwavering determination and a commitment to doing business the right way. Over the years, he has transformed it into one of South India’s most respected elevator companies.

What I admire most is that the company’s growth has never come at the cost of its values. Quality, integrity, customer trust and long-term relationships have always been at the heart of every decision. Today, Ascent and the Aarve Group are examples of how a business can scale sustainably while staying true to its principles.

His journey offers valuable lessons for any entrepreneur: that lasting success isn’t built overnight, but through consistency, resilience and an unwavering focus on delivering value. For me, carrying forward that legacy is both an honor and a responsibility.

SSP: Ascent today is among the leaders in the premium elevator segment. What differentiates the company?

AKA: At Ascent, we’ve always believed that an elevator is much more than just a machine — it’s an essential part of a building that people rely on every single day. That responsibility shapes everything we do.

Our strength lies in delivering premium quality, engineering excellence, responsive service and uncompromising safety standards. Our global technology partnerships with Monteferro and MORIS, Italy, allow us to bring internationally proven technologies and best practices to India.

We constantly invest in innovation, digitalization and customer experience because we believe our clients deserve world-class solutions.

SSP: The elevator industry has traditionally been male dominated. How has your experience been as a young woman leader?

AKA: The elevator industry has traditionally been male dominated, so people are sometimes surprised to see a young woman leading an engineering business. But I’ve found that credibility comes from knowledge, preparation and consistency — not gender.

Once customers and industry professionals interact with you, they appreciate competence more than stereotypes. I see this as an opportunity to encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering, manufacturing and infrastructure. Leadership has no gender. It is defined by vision, integrity and the ability to inspire people.

SSP: Did your international education influence your leadership style?

AKA: Yes, significantly. Studying and working abroad exposed me to diverse cultures, structured systems and a strong emphasis on innovation and customer-centric thinking. Working closely with senior leadership also gave me clear insight into how global organizations operate: the discipline in execution, the importance of processes and a consistent focus on growth and continuous improvement.

At Ascent, I’ve tried to integrate these global practices with the entrepreneurial foundation on which the company was built. The aim is to create an organization that is professionally managed, technologically forward and agile enough to respond to evolving opportunities.

SSP: How do you see the future of the elevator industry in India?

AKA: India’s rapid urban growth presents tremendous opportunities for the elevator industry. As cities continue to grow vertically and India’s aging population increases, elevators — particularly home elevators — are becoming an essential part of modern living. With many millennials now caring for aging parents, accessibility and independent mobility have become key considerations in home design.

The future will be driven by smart elevators, AI-enabled monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy-efficient technologies and sustainable solutions. At the same time, customer awareness around safety, reliability and long-term service is steadily increasing.

The companies that continue to innovate while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and customer service will be the ones that lead the industry.

SSP: What is your vision for Ascent over the next decade?

AKA: My vision is to establish Ascent as India’s most trusted and admired premium elevator brand while expanding our presence across new markets and segments.

We will continue investing in innovation, technology and people to build an organization known for quality, exceptional service and ethical business practices. While growth is an important goal, our true measure of success will always be the long-term value we create for our customers, employees and the communities we serve.

SSP: What message would you like to give young women aspiring to become entrepreneurs?

AKA: Never let anyone define your limits. If you’re willing to learn, work hard and stay committed to excellence, there is a place for you in any industry.

Confidence comes from preparation, and leadership is earned through actions, not titles. At the same time, don’t forget to enjoy what you do. Trust your instincts, embrace challenges and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. The future belongs to those who create opportunities, not just for themselves, but for others, as well.

SSP: How would you like your leadership journey to be remembered?

AKA: I hope my leadership is remembered for creating a positive and lasting impact. By building on the strong foundation laid by my father, I want to help lead Ascent into its next era of growth.

I also hope to be remembered as a leader who wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and make bold decisions in the long-term interest of the organization. I believe meaningful progress comes from having the courage to evolve while staying true to your core values.

If I can strengthen Ascent, empower people and create lasting value for our customers, employees and the industry, I would consider my leadership a success.

SSP: Ascent Lifts & Escalators has emerged as one of the most respected names in the vertical-transportation (VT) industry. What aspects set it apart?

AKA: Ascent Lifts & Escalators was founded by my father, Arun Kovuru, in 2012 with a clear vision: to bring world-class elevator technology to India while delivering customized mobility solutions that truly meet the needs of Indian customers. At a time when many global brands offered limited flexibility, he saw an opportunity to combine international engineering standards with the ability to design elevators around each customer’s unique requirements.

Our philosophy has always been simple: Never compromise on safety, quality or customer satisfaction. Every project reflects our commitment to precision engineering, elegant design and dependable after-sales service.

Today, Ascent is one of South India’s leading providers of premium vertical mobility solutions, with more than 15000 successful installations across residential, commercial, healthcare and institutional projects.

Our partnerships with globally recognized companies such as Monteferro and MORIS, Italy, enable us to bring advanced European technology to India while tailoring every solution to local needs. That combination of global expertise, engineering excellence and a customer-first approach is what continues to set Ascent apart.

SSP: Your father is widely recognized for building Ascent into a respected brand. How do you view his contribution?

AKA: My father built Ascent with a clear vision, unwavering perseverance and an uncompromising commitment to ethics. What I admire most is that he never measured success solely by the number of elevators we installed, but by the trust we earned and the relationships we built over the years. That philosophy has shaped Ascent into one of the most respected names in the industry and continues to guide every decision we make.

As the second generation, I see my responsibility as preserving those values while preparing the organization for the future through technology, innovation and continuous improvement. The greatest tribute I can pay to his legacy is to ensure that Ascent continues to earn the trust of our customers and sets new benchmarks for quality, safety and service.

SSP: Ascent has become synonymous with some of the most prestigious developments in South India. Could you share a few landmark projects that reflect the company’s capabilities?

AKA: Every project is special to us because it represents the trust our customers place in Ascent. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of contributing to some of South India’s most prestigious residential, commercial and institutional developments.

Our portfolio includes the Sky Villas at Savyasachi Apartments — home to one of Bengaluru’s most expensive Sky Villas ever sold — along with Embassy One (including Four Seasons Private Residences), 80 Lifts in a private villa project- New Dawn villas by Bricks & Milestone, projects for the Sumadhura Group and Joyalukkas Jewellery showrooms across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Together, these projects reflect the confidence leading developers and brands place in Ascent.

Our engineering expertise is also reflected in specialized installations such as India’s First Living Room Elevator for the Cadabams Group, the first hydraulic car lift installed in Bengaluru and several highly customized elevators designed for unique architectural requirements.

Whether it’s a luxury residence, commercial landmark or institutional project, our focus has always been the same: to deliver safe, reliable and customized mobility solutions. Today, with more than 15000 successful installations, every project reflects our commitment to quality, innovation and long-term customer trust and relationship.

About Ankitha K Arun
Ankitha K Arun is executive director of Ascent Lifts and Escalators Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, one of Southern India’s leading elevator companies and a dominant player in the premium VT segment. She represents the second generation of leadership, following the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of her father, Arun Kovuru, managing director of Ascent Lifts, Surya Elevators and Aarve Group. After completing her education in Spain and pursuing a successful corporate career in Ireland, she chose to return to India to lead the next phase of the company’s growth. Her journey, from international education and a successful career in Ireland to leading one of Southern India’s most admired elevator companies is truly inspiring.
Ascent is also the global technology partner of Monteferro and MORIS, Italy, bringing world-class technologies to the Indian market. Ascent’s continued success under the combined leadership of Arun Kovuru and the next-generation vision of Arun reflects how strong values, global thinking and a relentless commitment to excellence can create an enduring business legacy.