Shankar H R, the founder and MD of Rego, started his journey in the Indian mobility industry in 2004 with just one car. His passion for customer experience and his desire to bring professionalism to an unorganized sector soon propelled him to the forefront of the industry. In 2023, Rego is a leading mobility company in India with a fleet size of over 4,000+ cabs, 4240+ chauffeurs, and 213+ clients across 218+ cities, with a strong team of over 112+ employees. Shankar’s unique company culture has resulted in 67% of chauffeurs and 81% of clients remaining loyal to Rego for over a decade. His vision and planning for the future have led Rego to proactively add more electric and CNG cars to its fleet, with a target of becoming a 100% green fleet by 2030. Rego has been recognized for its excellence in the industry, receiving awards like ‘The Corporate Car-Rental Icon of India’ and ‘The Best Car Rental Company in 2013’.
Shankar’s success story is the result of his vision, leadership, and people-centric approach. He is a visionary and risk-taker in the car rental industry, always investing in the latest technology and services to stay ahead of the competition. His early adoption of EVs and CNGs was a game changer, even when the entire industry was still following the wait-and-watch policy. His heavy bets on technology placed Rego above the rest, even though it came at a huge learning cost, as he was the first mover. Shankar’s investment in setting up corporate mobility hubs across India has diversified Rego’s services, expanding from outstation trips to airport transfers, employee transportation, and corporate rentals. Every client who interacted with Shankar was impressed with his speed and quality of service delivery.
Shankar’s unique company culture has resulted in Rego’s loyal customer and chauffeur base. His vision and planning for the future have led Rego to proactively add more electric and CNG cars to its fleet, with a target of becoming a 100% green fleet by 2030. The company’s excellence in the industry has earned it various awards, including ‘The Corporate Car-Rental Icon of India’ and ‘The Best Car Rental Company in 2013’. Despite facing challenges like the 2008 recession and the 2019 COVID pandemic, Shankar’s vision has enabled Rego to overcome the hurdles and grow stronger.
Shankar’s people-centric approach and social service mindset are inspired by his grandfather, Mr. H C Nanjappa, who was a well-known freedom fighter in Karnataka. His grandfather was a Gandhian who built a maternity center, school, lakes, roads, and ponds for his community after independence. Shankar credits his grandfather for instilling a sense of social responsibility in him.
During the COVID pandemic, Shankar prioritized the well-being of the entire Rego family, especially the chauffeur champions. He supplied grocery kits to all chauffeur families and supported them financially on a case-by-case basis. His people-centric approach ensured that every Rego employee received their salary, even during the pandemic.
Shankar is a man of many passions, including traveling, cars, and organic agriculture. His greatest passion, however, is empowering chauffeurs and providing employment opportunities for many in the industry. He is the ultimate business leader, steering his company steadily for close to two decades in an unorganized industry and empowering others in the process.
In conclusion, Shankar H R’s success story is one of vision, leadership, and a people-centric approach. His passion for customer experience and his desire to bring professionalism to an unorganized sector.