Son rise at TVS Motor: Sudarshan Venu to take charge as chairman in August

TVS Motor names Sudarshan Venu Chairman and MD from August 2025; Ralf Speth to step down and become Chief Mentor as part of Venu Srinivasan family's succession plan

With the success of the electric two-wheeler iQube as one of his strengths, Sudarshan Venu, son of Chairman Emeritus Venu Srinivasan, will take over as chairman of TVS Motor Company in August, the company said on Thursday.

 

Sudarshan Venu will continue to serve as managing director.

 

The move is in recognition of his contribution to the company’s growth and strategic development during his tenure as director, the firm said.

 

Under Sudarshan Venu’s watch, the iQube became the top brand among Indian electric two-wheelers.

 

Sudarshan Venu, 36, becomes one of the youngest to take charge as the top executive of an Indian automobile major. Other executives in this league include Rajiv Bajaj, who took charge as managing director and chief executive officer of Bajaj Auto in April 2005 after the success of the Pulsar; Dheeraj Hinduja, who became chairman of Ashok Leyland in October 2010; and Siddhartha Vikram Lal, who took over as Eicher Motors chief in May 2006 — all in their mid-30s.

 

 

This comes after a succession plan was drawn up by the Venu Srinivasan family. In March last year, Venu Srinivasan had said his family members — wife, Mallika Srinivasan; son Sudarshan Venu; and daughter Lakshmi — had executed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to avoid competition among themselves.

 

As part of this, Sudarshan Venu will continue to lead TVS Holdings and its subsidiary companies: TVS Motor, TVS Credit Services, Home Credit India, and TVS Emerald. 

 

Lakshmi will succeed Mallika Srinivasan in TAFE and lead Sundaram Clayton.

 

TVS Motor’s current chairman, Ralf Speth, has informed the board that he will not seek reappointment as company director at the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM). Consequently, he will step down as chairman at the close of the AGM on August 22.

 

The board will appoint Speth chief mentor for three years, starting on August 23, ensuring benefit from his knowledge, experience, and expertise.

 

“I express my gratitude to Ralf for his exceptional leadership as chairman over the past three years. His contributions have been invaluable in guiding our strategic expansion into global markets and fostering innovation that has significantly strengthened our industry standing. We are grateful for his continued support as chief mentor for TVS Motor and in welcoming Sudarshan into his new role,” said Venu Srinivasan.

 

“I am confident that Sudarshan, who in his capacity as managing director has demonstrated tremendous growth for the business, will take the company to even greater heights,” he added.

 

Speth said: “I am confident that under his (Sudarshan Venu’s) leadership, the company will continue its growth journey while championing core TVS values.”

 

Sudarshan Venu said: “I am honoured and excited ... TVS has been built on our chairman emeritus’ commitment to customer centricity, quality, and technology. As we look to the future, we have to build on these values while capitalising on new opportunities and reimagining for the future.”