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Chairman Emeritus

AWARDED PADMA VIBHUSHAN, 2019

Mr. A. M. Naik mirrors the values of the organisation he heads - professionalism, entrepreneurship and a passionate commitment to advancing the interests of all stakeholders. Under his leadership, L&T overcame multiple challenges and emerged stronger with a sharper focus on profitable growth. Media surveys and peer group assessments rank Mr. Naik as among the world’s best performing business leaders.

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. Mr. Naik was the Group Executive Chairman of L&T from 2012 to 2017. In October 2017, he relinquished executive responsibilities, and was appointed Group Chairman. Six years later in 2023, Mr. Naik stepped aside and paved the way for Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan.

In pursuit of the mission to transform 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 spearheaded the re-structuring of the conglomerate to facilitate aggressive growth across a large revenue base.

Decades ago, Mr. Naik kick-started the process of indigenising the manufacture of critical equipment for the defence sector and process industries. His efforts led to L&T assuming leadership position in the design, development and manufacture of missiles and weapon systems and forged a vibrant relationship with national bodies for defence research & development and space research.

Mr Naik infused a global perspective to L&T’s operations. This involved revamping mindsets and ensuring that virtually every critical activity is benchmarked against global standards.

Other landmark achievements that have yielded significant value for the Company and its stakeholders include the de-merger of the cement business. He conceptualized the proposal for the L&T Employees’ Trust which has ringfenced L&T, enabling the Company to retain its unique character and strengthen the employees’ sense of belonging.

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 use of IT as a major enabler across L&T’s businesses.

A concern for social uplift complements Mr. Naik's keen business interests. Mr. Naik was instrumental in setting up the Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust which is engaged in a wide spectrum of community development initiatives including skill training at several locations around the country.

Mr. Naik had served as the Chairman of the National Skill Development Corporation from November 2018 to April 2022, on appointment by the Prime Minister of India.

In his personal capacity, Mr. Naik remains deeply committed to the community. He has pledged 75% of his wealth to social causes in the sectors of healthcare, education and skill development. A robust mechanism which he put in place ensures that every philanthropic initiative is continuously monitored and achieves stated targets.

Mr. Naik is the Honorary Consul General for Denmark. He was conferred the Danish Knighthood by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe in 2008 and a further honour, the Order of the Dannebrog - Knight First Class in 2015.

Industry & Academia

• The Government of India appointed Mr. Naik Chairman of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) from November 2018 to April 2022.
• Helmed the Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad (IIM-A) as Chairman of the Board of Governors from 2012 to 2016
• Member of the Governing Body of the Charutar Vidyamandal University, Gujarat
• Appointed Co-leader by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India of the India-Malaysia CEOs Forum
• Was senior member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Council.
• Led Indian industry's delegation to the 17th Congress of World Energy Council at Houston, 1998
• Ex-Member of the Board of Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers (INAE)
• Participated in the 6th India-EU Business Summit in New Delhi in 2005
• Was Co-Chairman of the Indo-Russia CEO Forum and active member Indo-Japan Business Leadership Forum

Awards & Recognition

• Padma Vibhushan – one of India’s highest civilian honours. Mr. Naik is one of the very few professionals in the field of industry to be so honoured. (Honours List, January 26, 2019)
• Padma Bhushan – coveted national honour presented by the President of India (March 31, 2009)
• Gujarat Garima (Pride of Gujarat) Award from the Government of Gujarat. (January 13, 2009)
• Danish Knighthood: Conferred rank of Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog (2008). In 2015, he is conferred a higher rank – the Order of the Dannebrog Knight First Class.

*For a detailed list of awards and recognition please click here.