Lakshmi Venu is a prominent figure in the Indian business world. She is the managing director of Sundaram-Clayton, a leading manufacturer of automotive components, and a director of TVS Motor Company, one of the largest two-wheeler makers in India. She is also an heiress to the TVS Group, a Chennai-based conglomerate with interests in automobiles, finance, logistics, and education.
But who is Lakshmi Venu, and how did she rise to the top of her family business? What are her achievements and challenges as a woman leader in a male-dominated industry? And what are her personal and professional aspirations for the future?
In this blog post, we will explore the life and career of Lakshmi Venu, and learn more about her background, education, vision, and values.
Background and Education
Lakshmi Venu was born in 1983 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She is the daughter of Venu Srinivasan and Mallika Srinivasan, both successful industrialists who inherited and expanded their respective family businesses. Her father runs the TVS Group, which was founded by her great-grandfather T. V. Sundaram Iyengar in 1911. Her mother runs the TAFE Group, which is part of the Amalgamations Group, founded by her grandfather A. Sivasailam in 1941.
Lakshmi Venu has one brother, Sudarshan Venu, who is also involved in the family business as the joint managing director of TVS Motor Company. She grew up in Chennai and attended Sishya School in Adyar. She was interested in economics and mathematics from a young age, and excelled in academics.
She pursued her higher education abroad, graduating with a degree in economics from Yale University in 2004. She then obtained a doctorate in engineering management from the University of Warwick in 2010. Her doctoral thesis focused on supplier relationship management in the automotive industry.
Career and Achievements
Lakshmi Venu joined Sundaram-Clayton as a board member in 2010, after completing her doctorate. She was appointed as the joint managing director in 2012, and became the managing director in 2022. She is responsible for overseeing the operations, strategy, and growth of the company, which has four plants in India and one in the USA.
Sundaram-Clayton is a leading supplier of aluminium die-cast products to major automotive manufacturers such as Volvo, Cummins, Hyundai, Daimler, and Paccar. The company has won several awards for its quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Under Lakshmi Venu’s leadership, the company has expanded its global presence and diversified its product portfolio.
Lakshmi Venu is also a director of TVS Motor Company, which is one of the largest two-wheeler makers in India. The company produces motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, and electric vehicles under various brands such as TVS Apache, TVS Jupiter, TVS Ntorq, and TVS iQube. The company has a strong presence in domestic and international markets, with over 60 million customers across 60 countries.
Lakshmi Venu is involved in shaping the vision and strategy of TVS Motor Company, along with her father and brother. She is also instrumental in driving the company’s innovation and digital transformation initiatives. She has been recognized as one of the fastest rising women leaders in corporate India by The Economic Times.
Personal Life and Values
Lakshmi Venu has had two marriages in her life. In 2011, she married Rohan Murty, son of Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy. They divorced in 2015. In 2018, she married Mahesh Gogineni, a tech entrepreneur and the great-grandson of N. G. Ranga. Mahesh Gogineni runs a startup called Gifskey that provides GIFs for Indian languages.
Lakshmi Venu is known for her simplicity and humility. She does not flaunt her wealth or status, and prefers to keep a low profile. She is passionate about health and wellness, and practices yoga regularly. She is also fond of music and art.
Lakshmi Venu believes in giving back to society and supporting various causes. She is involved in several philanthropic activities through her family foundations such as Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) and Shri AMM Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC). She also supports education initiatives such as Ashoka University and Yale University.
Conclusion
Lakshmi Venu is a remarkable woman who has achieved a lot in her personal and professional life. She is a role model for aspiring women entrepreneurs and leaders in India and beyond. She is a visionary who has transformed her family business and made it more competitive and innovative. She is also a compassionate human being who cares for the well-being of others and the environment.
Lakshmi Venu is an example of how one can balance tradition and modernity, family and career, success and service. She is an inspiration for all of us who want to make a positive difference in the world.
