Arun has a B.Sc. with honors and an M.Sc. in physics from St. Stephen's College in Delhi. After receiving his degrees, he joined Tata Administrative Service—and ended up staying there for 25 years. He served on the board of Tata Motors from 1981 to 1989.

"In 1989, I joined Arthur D. Little Inc. in the United States and led the North American Manufacturing Management practice and the Global Organization practice. I was also Managing Director of Innovation Associates, an ADL subsidiary.

I enjoy writing and speaking about India and am the author of several books on leadership and organisation:The Accelerating Organization, Shaping the Future, Remaking India and Discordant Democrats. I am lucky enough to write regularly for the Indian business press and also for international management journals. My wife is an artist in pottery. We have a daughter and a son, who are working in the United States."