CEO of the Murugappa Group – leaders in confectionery, sanitary-ware, chains and bonded abrasives, M. V. Subbiah has overseen its remarkable turnaround in the last seven years. The group is also strong in cycles, fertilisers and tubes.
( Between 1993 and 1997, the group doubled its turnover, from Rs 1,084 crore to Rs 2,600 crore ).

Part of the third generation of the Murugappa family,
M. V. Subbiah completed his MBA in the United States and worked for over 12 years in middle management. This climb to the top dispels the generally held belief that the group is more family-run than professionally run.

This unassuming CEO, who still travels economy class, reflects the toned-down image that the group consistently portrays in the media. But his ‘one-with-the-employees’ style of functioning does not seem to hinder him, in his role as taskmaster.