Larsen & Toubro’s Subrahmanyan takes charge as new CEO

SN Subrahmanyan today assumed charge as CEO and managing director of Larsen & Toubro, taking over from long-time chairman and managing director A M Naik.

The board of directors of Larsen & Toubro had, at its meeting on 7 April 2017, appointed Subrahmanyan, who was deputy managing director and president of the company to assume the charge of CMD after Naik stepped down.

The board had also requested AM Naik, group executive chairman, L&T, to provide guidance and mentorship to the company's leadership subsequent to his current term. Naik will continue as non-executive chairman of the company for a period of three years effective 1 October 2017.

''Mr Subrahmanyan is the finest among the many top executives I have mentored over the last few years. Three years ago he was identified as the most likely leader to take on the role of CEO and managing director. Since then I have worked closely with him and engaged him in all aspects of L&T's operations, going beyond his core domains of infrastructure and construction,'' Naik said while speaking on the occasion.

''Mr Subrahmanyan has a great work ethic and business acumen to take L&T to greater heights in the future. I have full confidence that under him L&T will remain steadfast to its core values, fulfill the expectations of our stakeholders and continue to play a key role in building a stronger India,'' he added.

''This is indeed high honour and immense responsibility. I am truly blessed and count myself very fortunate. Larsen & Toubro is a flag bearer for Indian industry and is the builder of the India of tomorrow. I am very grateful to Mr Naik for his guidance and will try my best to live up to his expectations in taking this great company forward into the future. I look forward to jointly writing a new chapter for L&T along with our high caliber employees while ensuring that we continue to deliver value to our stakeholders. I am humbled and at the same time excited and confident to be at this role in L&T,'' Subrahmanyan said.

Subrahmanyan joined the construction business of L&T in 1984 as a project planning engineer, after completing a degree in civil engineering and post-graduation in business management. His ability to develop innovative solutions in the construction and infrastructure space has seen him rise rapidly up the leadership rungs of the company.

He successfully steered L&T's largest infrastructure projects, including new airports in major cities, metro, and freight corridor projects across India and expansion of operations in international geographies.

The L&T construction business has grown multifold under his leadership to rank among the top 25 global contractors and by far the largest EPC player in the country. In 2011, Subrahmanyan was inducted into the L&T board.

Under Naik's guidance, Subrahmanyan also demonstrated his leadership credentials by assuming top-level responsibility for other businesses of the group, including LTI (erstwhile L&T Infotech), L&T Technology Services, Smart World & Communication and Digital initiatives. He was also appointed chairman of L&T Metro Rail and L&T Shipbuilding to provide guidance and strategic inputs to these businesses.