It is hard to miss L&T's S N Subrahmanyan if you are a business flyer

A M Naik has been grooming Subrahmanyan for the top job when he retires as executive chairman of the industrial group

When you land at Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or Hyderabad airport’s new terminals you incidentally touch base with S N Subrahmanyan, the man credited with securing and managing EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contracts for four international airports for Larsen & Toubro (L&T). He is also credited for securing a major order for construction at Salalah Airport at Oman, which is one of the largest international orders for the engineering and construction conglomerate with interests in manufacturing capital goods.

Subrahmanyan, 56, was elevated to the president and deputy managing director at India’s largest construction behemoth in October last year. He joined L&T 32 years ago as project planning engineer involving costing and job planning, and was soon hand picked and was instrumental in developing the budget and strategic planning for  engineering and construction division of L&T.

In his previous role as senior executive vice president of construction he was heading the division that contributes over 80 percent of over Rs 1-lakh crore revenue.  This makes him a natural choice to head the company. Other landmark constructions to his credit include construction of building for ICICI Bank and National Stock Exchange in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.

Subrahmanyan owes his rapid rise to his mentor, Anil Manibhai Naik. The incumbent chairman identified him over a decade ago when he was a general manager in the construction division of the company. He rose rapidly within the system even though he was several years younger than many others in the company. His growth has been remarkable not only because Naik handpicked him, but because of his tremendous drive and entrepreneurial zeal to grow the businesses. Now he is set to succeed Naik as he confirms grooming him for the top job when he retires from executive role next year.

"He has been proactive and dynamic and I am sure given his track record, he will do the same in his future role," said A M Naik while talking to this newspaper about his successor.