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About

I'm Gagan Sachdeva, a systems thinker working where business, people and technology meet.

I grew up in Delhi and studied mathematics at Delhi University. In 1999 two friends and I started emonks. It didn't survive the dotcom bust, but the idea stayed with me.

After sales roles at Aviva Life Insurance and Times Internet, and co-founding a logistics business in India, I moved to New Zealand in 2006. From 2007 to 2025 I was with Future Skills Group. I co-founded the Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus and led it as CEO to 2020, growing it from 0 to NZD 20M (pre-COVID, 20% EBITDA). From March 2020 I was Group Deputy Chief Executive. Over my time there the group grew from $1.5M to over $30M (domestic and international).

Since 2025 I've been Partner and Strategic Advisor at SearchExperts.

My symbol

The freehand infinity

I believe in the wholeness of the universe, humanity with no beginning and no end. The freehand infinity holds both enormity and fragility. Saffron stands for reverence for knowledge that exists and knowledge yet to come.

My home

Aotearoa and Delhi

In the land of the long white cloud, Aotearoa New Zealand, my heart finds its home. The busy streets of Delhi, where I was born and grew up, still echo in how I see the world.

Kind words

From people I've worked with.

From the 360 feedback of ex-colleagues and board members of Otago Polytechnic and Auckland International Campus.

Effective and empowering
“Gagan is an excellent and effective leader. He empowers team members and always focuses on team development. He always has very creative ideas and he never runs out of solutions for any problem. Brilliant problem-solving mind! He is composed and calm. It is my absolute pleasure to work with him and learn from him.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Effective and empowering
“Gagan is a valued member of the leadership team and I am honored to work with him and hope for another 17 years minimum of future working relationship with him.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Effective and empowering
“Gagan is a wonderful, effective, future-focused colleague! Thanks for all you do, Gagan!”
Ex-colleague or board member
Innovative and inspiring
“It seems this survey was designed to describe Gagan. He is amazing. The only thing I can fault him on is that he works too hard.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Innovative and inspiring
“Gagan is a friendly and innovative leader. He is a quick thinker and supports the team's development and growth.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Innovative and inspiring
“Gagan is positive, far-sighted and inspiring. He leads the team with passion and compassion, always encouraging us to think outside the box and to set higher standards. What I appreciate most is that he is realistic in his expectations and ensures we are well supported to achieve our set goals.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Creative and supportive
“Gagan is a very creative and innovative individual and can be very inspiring when he takes the time. He is very data-driven. He is a fun person to be around and brings humor and light-heartedness to conversations when he chooses.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Creative and supportive
“Gagan already has leadership skills, but I feel he is overloaded with so many things that he doesn't have enough time to himself. He's always wondering what we can do next.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Creative and supportive
“Gagan is great to work for. He encourages all members of the team to share their ideas and is genuinely interested in what we have to say. He's receptive to new ideas and new ways of doing things. He gives us a good amount of autonomy and trusts our expertise but also provides guidance and support when we need it.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Strategic and a role model
“Gagan is very focused on having plans in place to achieve specific targets in 2023. He motivates his team well and works closely with other members of staff. He is positive in approach and creates relationships with other staff members well. He does a good job.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Strategic and a role model
“Strong business sense and skilled in big picture summary and overview. People focused, kind, gentle, caring and patient with staff. Makes genuine efforts to connect and build relationships, provides fun and positive drive and energy for steering the Academy forward and is a positive role model in leadership.”
Ex-colleague or board member
Strategic and a role model
“Gagan's leadership traits are highly motivating. He is confident, responsible, has heaps of energy, and is innovative in his thinking whether it be the business or his team. He is constantly on the go. He shines not only when the going is good, but also even more so when things are rough. He encourages us to think how we can do things better, what is working well, and what needs improvement. He has your back 100%. He is someone who always thinks ahead. If we want to be the best, don't just think it—be it.”
Ex-colleague or board member

Start with a conversation.

The first coffee is on me. No fees, no pitch. If I'm not the right fit, I'll say so and point you to someone who is.

Start a conversation