Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, the Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Emami Group, has been appointed as the President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the year 2024-25.
He officially took over the role on 21 November 2024 during the 97th Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi. He succeeded Anish Shah.
A Strong Business Leader at the Helm of FICCI
Agarwal is a second-generation leader of the $3.1 billion diversified Emami Group.
He leads the group’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business and has been pivotal in driving the company’s growth.
His leadership extends beyond Emami, as he is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation and serves on the Executive Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce.
FICCI highlighted Agarwal’s vast multi-functional expertise, which enables him to navigate various sectors within the group.
As an astute strategist, he plays a key role in shaping Emami’s strategic direction.
In 2016, The Economic Times and Spencer Stuart named him one of India’s top young business leaders in the ‘Forty Under 40’ list, recognizing his efforts.
Leadership Changes at FICCI
In addition to Agarwal’s appointment, FICCI announced other leadership changes. Anant Goenka has been elevated to Senior Vice President, and Vijay Sankar has joined as Vice President.
New Roles
Anant Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RPG Group, a $4.8 billion conglomerate, takes charge as Senior Vice President at FICCI. The RPG Group operates across several sectors, including tyres, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and specialty sectors.
Goenka previously served as the Managing Director and CEO of CEAT, where he led the company through a transformative decade from 2012 to 2023. He was also the former Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).
Vijay Sankar, Chairman of The Sanmar Group, was appointed Vice President of FICCI. The Sanmar Group is a multinational conglomerate with manufacturing facilities across India, Mexico, and Egypt.
The group operates in key industry sectors, including chemicals, engineering technologies, and shipping. It has an annual turnover of approximately USD 1.6 billion.
The leadership appointments, as reported by businessworld.in, signify a major shift in FICCI’s executive team. They emphasize strengthening its influence across various sectors of the Indian economy.
