Lakshmi Venu, a prominent figure in India’s business landscape, is making remarkable strides as the Managing Director of Sundaram-Clayton Ltd (SCL), an automotive components company under the TVS Group. Based in Chennai, SCL has achieved a market capitalization of ₹27,888 crore as of June 28, 2024. Lakshmi, a fifth-generation businesswoman, has been leading SCL as MD for the past two years, following her tenure as joint MD since 2010.
Lakshmi Venu’s leadership has been instrumental in propelling SCL to new heights. The company, a key player in the automotive components industry, continues to thrive under her guidance. As the heiress to TVS Motors, which boasts a market cap of ₹1,12,000 crore, she is part of a legacy that traces back to her great-grandfather, TV Sundaram Iyengar, the founder of the TVS Group.
Born into a family with a rich industrial heritage, Lakshmi is the daughter of Venu Srinivasan, the chairman emeritus of TVS Motor Company, who holds a real-time net worth of ₹34,190 crore according to Forbes. Her educational journey began at the Sishya School in Chennai, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Yale University in the US. She further honed her expertise with a doctorate in Engineering Management from the University of Warwick in Coventry, England.
In addition to her role at SCL, Lakshmi Venu serves as the Deputy Managing Director of TAFE Motors and Tractors Limited, a company led by her mother, Mallika Srinivasan, who is also the Managing Director. Her brother, Sudharshan Venu, holds the position of Managing Director at TVS Group, underscoring the family’s extensive involvement in their business empire.
Lakshmi’s personal life has seen significant milestones. In 2011, she married Rohan Murty, son of Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy. However, the couple divorced in 2015. Three years later, Lakshmi married Mahesh Gogineni in a private ceremony held in Jodhpur.
Lakshmi Venu’s journey exemplifies the growing influence of women in leading and transforming family-run businesses in India. Her contributions to SCL and the broader TVS Group continue to reflect her commitment to driving growth and innovation within the industry.
