Bhubaneswar: Odisha-born entrepreneur and former Indian Army officer Capt. Arun Kar (Retd.), Founder UK-headquartered technology company Xpertnest, has been recognised as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2026 in Partnership with The Times.
Born in Cuttack, Odisha, Kar’s journey from his roots in the state to military service and later entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom has now been recognised on one of Britain’s prominent business platforms. He was celebrated at BAFTA in London alongside leading entrepreneurs and business figures from across the UK, as part of The LDC Top 50 programme created by LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, in partnership with The Times.
The programme was created by private equity investor LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, in partnership with The Times. Since 2018, it has celebrated the ambition and achievements of hundreds of exceptional entrepreneurs.
The leaders featured are driven by an appetite for growth that is helping to build stronger, more sustainable businesses and a more competitive UK economy. They are expanding internationally, developing new products and services, challenging established markets and investing in their people.
Together, their businesses generate £1.4bn in annual revenues and employ almost 8,500 people. Headquartered in 55 towns and cities, they demonstrate the contribution that medium-sized businesses make to their communities and the wider UK economy.
Kar’s own route into entrepreneurship has been far from conventional. A former Indian Army officer, he moved into business following the premature end of his military career due to a medical injury. He later founded Xpertnest in the UK in 2016, building the company around technology, innovation and solving complex real-world problems.
His parents, Dr. Manoranjan Kar and Rashmi Rekha Kar, said: “Seeing Arun’s journey from the Army to entrepreneurship has been deeply emotional for us. We are proud of the resilience he has shown and of how far that journey has taken him.”
Today, Xpertnest works across artificial intelligence, automation, analytics and digital transformation, with a growing international presence.
Kar said, “It is a real honour to be recognised among The LDC Top 50 alongside so many inspiring business leaders from across the UK.“My journey into entrepreneurship was not something I had originally planned. Moving from military life into business brought a very different set of challenges, but the principles of resilience, teamwork and staying focused on the mission have remained with me throughout.”
Reflecting on the journey, Kar often describes Xpertnest’s growth through a simple analogy: the ambition may be to build a unicorn, but the company started as a camel. “Why a camel? Because a camel is resilient. It survives the drought, adapts to difficult conditions, keeps moving forward and, most importantly, completes the journey.”
Nidhi Kar, Executive Director of Xpertnest and Kar’s wife, said: “I have seen the journey from very close quarters — the challenges, the resilience and the belief that kept him moving forward. This recognition is a proud moment for all of us.”
In recent years, Xpertnest has expanded its technology capabilities and international footprint, while continuing to build from its UK base.The business has strengthened its operations in India, including its presence in Noida and Ahmedabad, and has also established a US entity as part of its wider international growth. Alongside its core technology services, Xpertnest is increasingly investing in its own AI-led products and intellectual property.Chintan Panara, Founder and CTO of Xpertnest, said: “Arun has always pushed us to think bigger while staying focused on solving real problems. This recognition reflects that ambition.”
Kar said the next phase of the business would remain focused on combining commercial growth with practical impact. “What matters to me is that growth remains meaningful — creating opportunities for people, solving genuine problems for customers and developing technology that can make a positive difference.”
Rinki Singh, Chief Innovation Officer at Xpertnest, added, “His ambition is infectious — he constantly challenges us to innovate, think differently and create technology with meaningful impact.”
John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, said:“What stands out about this year’s LDC Top 50 is not only what these leaders have already achieved, but their determination to keep moving forward. Across the UK, they are finding new opportunities, investing in their people and building for the future. I congratulate every leader featured this year and wish them continued success.”
For Kar, the recognition also reflects the people who have been part of the Xpertnest journey. “A founder’s name may be associated with a recognition like this, but businesses are never built by one individual. This reflects the work of our people at Xpertnest, our leadership team, customers, partners and everyone who has believed in what we are trying to build. It is a proud moment, but there is still much more ahead.”
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