A. M. Naik, Group Executive Chairman, L&T
Joining the company as a Junior Engineer in 1965, Mr. Naik rapidly rose to positions of increasing responsibility as he moved from General Manager to Managing Director and CEO, leading to his appointment as Chairman and Managing Director on December 29, 2003. Effective from April 2012, the Board of Directors extended Mr. Naik's tenure as Group Executive Chairman.
With the objective of transforming L&T into a world-class conglomerate, Mr. Naik led a transformational process that boosted shareholder value. His leadership has seen a remarkable increase across all parameters of business performance - market capitalization, consolidated turnover and net worth. He also drove the re-structuring of the conglomerate to facilitate aggressive growth across a large revenue base.
Decades ago, Mr. Naik had kick-started the process of indigenizing the manufacturing of critical equipment for the defence sector and process industries. L&T is now a major supplier of missiles and weapon systems, and closely associated with national bodies for defence research & development and space research.
Mr Naik is credited with infusing a global perspective to L&T's business orientation. This involved revamping mindsets and ensuring that virtually every critical activity is benchmarked against global standards. Among other landmark achievements that have yielded significant value for the Company and its stakeholders include the de-merger of the cement business. He played an active part in conceptualising the proposal of an Employees' Foundation to strengthen the employees' sense of belonging and enable L&T retain its unique character.
Mr Naik's emphasis on HR and the nurturing of human capital triggered major initiatives to attract, retain and groom talent. He has also been principally responsible for the extensive use of IT as a major enabler across L&T's businesses.
A concern for social and welfare issues complement Mr. Naik's keen business interests. Mr. Naik was instrumental in setting up the Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust which undertakes a wide spectrum of community development work including skill training at several locations around the country.
Mr. Naik is the Honorary Consul General for Denmark. He was conferred the Danish Knighthood by Her Majesty Queen Margarethe - 2008 and a further honour, the Order of the Dannebrog - Knight First Class in 2015.
Besides, he is a Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; Nominated Co-leader of the India-Malaysia CEOs Forum by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; Senior member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Council; Member of the Board of Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India; Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers (INAE); Co-Chairman of the Indo-Russia CEO Forum and active member Indo-Japan Business Leadership Forum etc.
