| Ajay Patel | |
| Birth Place: | Ahmedabad, Gujarat - India |
| Education: | B.E., Civil; L.L.B. |
| Alma Mater: | Diwan Ballubhai School Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering |
| Occupation: | Banker, businessperson |
| Birth Date: | 9 February 1962 |
| Spouse: | Devangna Patel |
Ajay Patel (born 9 February 1962) is an Indian businessman and sport administrator. He is the chairman of Gujarat State Co-operative Bank and Ahmedabad District Co-Operative Bank (ADC Bank).[1] [2] Patel is also involved in sports associations, primarily as president of Gujarat State Chess Association[3] and vice president of the National Rifle Association.[4] He is considered a close confidant of Amit Shah, who was also past president and director of the ADC Bank.[5] [6]
Patel was born on 9 February 1962, in Ahmedabad. Born to a humble family who owned an electrical shop, Patel completed his schooling in Divan-Ballubhai School in 1978 and did his bachelor's degree in Civil engineering from Lalbhai Dalpatbhai College of Engineering. Patel is married to Devangna Patel, and they have 3 children, namely Aneri, Anokhi and Dev.[7]
He recently was elected as president to the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).[8] He is also the owner of Devraj Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.[9] [10]
As a chairman of ADC Bank, he sponsored the chess training programs in the schools of Gujarat.[11] As a president of Gujarat State Chess Association, he launched Sardar Patel Chess College,[12] first ever chess college in India, which is affiliated under Swarnim Gujarat Sports University.
He was elected unanimously as the chairman of the Co-operative Bank of India (COBI) New Delhi for the next five years. COBI is the apex body of multi-state urban cooperative banks, national co-operative federations, and land development banks.
Patel is currently serving and has served multiple roles in the banking and the sports industry of India as mentioned below:
| Organization | Designation | Industry | Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative Bank of India | Chairman[13] | Bank | 2023 - | |
| Gujarat Chambers of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) | President[14] [15] | Commerce & Industry | 2023 - | |
| Indian Olympics Association | Senior Vice President[16] | International Sports | 2022 - | |
| Indian Red Cross Society - Gujarat State Branch | Chairman[17] [18] [19] | Social Welfare | 2022 - | |
| Asian Zone, All India Chess Association | President[20] | Sports | 2022 - | |
| Gujarat Chambers of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) | Senior Vice President[21] [22] | Commerce & Industry | 2022 - 2023 | |
| All India Chess Association | Former president[23] [24] | Sports | 2020 - 2021 | |
| Karnavati Club | Member of board of directors[25] | Sports | 2016 - 2017 | |
| Gujarat State Co-operative Bank | Chairman | Bank | 2009 - | |
| Gujarat State Chess Association | President | Sports | 2008 - | |
| National Rifle Association | Vice President | Sports | 2006 - | |
| Ahmedabad District Co-operative Bank | Chairman | Bank | 2003 - |
Patel has won recognition and appreciation awards in 2015 from the National Federation of State Co-operative Banks Limited (NAFSCOB), an apex body of state co-operative banks.[26]
He has also been given the Appreciation Award in Sahakar Bharti 5th National Conference for his active role as Chairman of ADC Bank.[27]
He also has been honoured with the Sahkarita Shiromani Awards for his contributions to the cooperative movement on the occasion of Kribhco's 36th Annual General Meeting.