Mahindra Group’s flagship business, Mahindra and Mahindra, reached new heights when the third-generation son, Anand Mahindra, was appointed the company’s managing director in 1997. automotive firm in 1997. The year 2002 marked an important year for the company as it launched its sports-utility vehicle, Scorpio. Then, he was appointed to take on the role of Chairman in the year 2012. He played a crucial part in promoting the acclaim of the brand and accelerating the company’s growth.
After nearly 40 years of dedication and commitment to the family company, Anand announced his plans to step down from the position of Chairman at Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M). According to the official announcement, Anand will be transitioning into the position of Non-Executive Chairman on M&M’s Board. M&M.
“As Non-Executive Chairman, Mahindra will serve as a mentor and sounding Board for the Managing Director on issues to be presented to the Board, especially in the areas of strategic planning, risk mitigation and external interface. In addition, he will be available to provide feedback and counsel to the Managing Director on key issues facing the enterprise,” the statement added.
After the announcement of a forthcoming resignation, Anand said, “This plan reflects M&M’s depth of management talent and will ensure continuity in terms of culture, values, governance and operational effectiveness. In my new role, I see myself as the conscience keeper of the Mahindra Group, as the custodian of its values and the watchdog of the interests of its shareholders. Internal audit will continue to report to me. I will continue to exercise oversight through the Board.”
Early Life And Career
Born in 1955, Anand Mahindra was born to late industrialists Harish Mahindra and Indra Mahindra. He graduated from his schooling at the Lawrence School, Lovedale. After that school, he continued to study filmmaking and architecture at Harvard University. After 1981, Anand came back to India after having completed the requirements for his MBA at Harvard and started his entrepreneurial journey.
Timeline At Mahindra
1981 – He returned 1981 – Returned to India after finishing the MBA in 1981 at Harvard. Mahindra Ugine Steel employed him as an executive assistant to the executive director.
1989 – Became the President of Mahindra Ugine Steel. Mahindra diversified its business by launching into hotels and real estate
1991 – Appointed the vice director of management at Mahindra & Mahindra
1997 – He was appointed the director general of Mahindra & Mahindra
2003 – Became Vice Chairman of the Mahindra group. Mahindra Group
2004 – Recognized with the highly coveted Rajiv Gandhi Award to recognize exceptional contributions to the field of business.
2012 – Was elected the executive director and Chairman of the Mahindra Group. Mahindra Group
2016. Re-designated executive Chairman for Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd
April 2020 – To quit as Chairman of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M) to assume the non-executive position in a succession plan.
“When I look back at my career, I recognise that almost all the critical management lessons I have learned were from the many storms I have endured. I don’t look forward to them & yet I welcome them when they arrive” – Anand Mahindra
Launched Scorpio And Did Not Turn Back
The year 1994 was when the M&M group went through its first major restructuring, after which its broad business was divided into six distinct segments. As of 2011, M&M adopted “Rise” as its branding strategy.
The turning point for the company was in 2012, in 2012 when Scorpio was introduced. The in-house designed and built vehicle boosted the brand’s popularity and also took it to new markets in the world for the first time.
Mahindra Group, which began as an industrial trading company for steel in 1945, has expanded into a multi-billion rupee conglomerate, which houses diverse companies like Mahindra Susten, Mahindra Ugine Steel, Mahindra Gujarat, Mahindra Tractors, Mahindra Truck and Bus as well as Mahindra Electric among others.
The Other Side Of The Business Tycoon
Contribution To Alma Mater
Harvard Humanities Center is named the Mahindra Humanities Center because Mahindra gave a massive $10 million gift to the center. Mahindra is also the founding co-founder of the Harvard Business School Association of India.
The Musical Blues
Anand, who is a huge lover of Blues music, founded an annually held Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai in the year 2011. It is Asia’s biggest Blues music festival, which runs over two consecutive days in Mumbai. The 2020 festival is scheduled to take place on the 8th of February and the 9th. “The year 2020 is special for the Mahindra Blues Festival as it is the 10th year since its launch in 2011 at the Mehboob Studios. Since then, we have successfully woven the Mahindra Blues Festival into the cultural fabric of the city of Mumbai. Today it gives me immense satisfaction to know that as a diversified global business group, we have been able to speak to multi-cultural audiences across continents using the soulful power of the Blues. I have no doubt that the tenth edition will be a milestone that Blues fans will not want to miss. It is no longer just an event – it has become a movement,” stated Mahindra in an announcement.
The Sociopreneur
Anand is a firm believer in causes such as women’s education and security in the workplace, climate change, and sustainability, among others. He created a program he calls Nanhi Kali, which provides education to girls in need in India. The program is still in operation and has offered education to many girls in the midst of their teens. He was also the co-founder of Naandi Danone, a safe drinking water project that caters to approximately 3 million people living in rural areas of the country.
Anand was also one of the first Indian automobile giants to place his bet on electric vehicles and is known for introducing environmentally conscious policies in his organization.
The Reachable Business Magnate
Anand is among the most active social media industrialists from India. He is active on Twitter and tweets about a range of subjects ranging from business advice, political, humorous videos, inspirational stories, old throwbacks, and more. There have also been a number of instances where the business tycoon has responded to comments and tweets of everyday people.
