Anant Goenka Named President-Elect of FICCI for 2025–26!

In what marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of India’s oldest and most influential business chambers, Anant Goenka has been announced as the President-Elect of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the year 2025–26.
The appointment was made official during FICCI’s National Executive Committee Meeting (NECM) held earlier today.

Goenka, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of FICCI, will take over from Harsha Vardhan Agarwal at the conclusion of FICCI’s 98th Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled in New Delhi on November 28–29, 2025. The transition comes at a momentous time for the century-old industry body as it gears up to celebrate its 100th year of shaping India’s business landscape.

New Gen FICCI Leader

As Vice Chairman of the USD 5 billion RPG Group, Anant Goenka brings with him a legacy of leadership and a reputation for modernising traditional businesses. The RPG Group’s vast portfolio — spanning tyres, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and specialty sectors — reflects the scale and diversity of India’s industrial ambitions.

Goenka is widely recognised for his transformative decade at CEAT Ltd., where he served as Managing Director and CEO from 2012 to 2023. During his tenure, CEAT didn’t just grow — it redefined the benchmark for quality and innovation in the tyre industry. The company saw its market capitalisation grow 25-fold, received Lighthouse recognition from the World Economic Forum, and in a first for any tyre manufacturer globally, won the Deming Grand Prize (2023) — the world’s most prestigious award for Total Quality Management.

Championing Excellence and Empathy

Beyond numbers and business growth, Goenka’s leadership has been marked by a deep emphasis on people, culture, and empathy — a trait that’s earned him recognition across global academic and business circles. In 2023, he was honoured with the Kabiller Science of Empathy Prize from the Kellogg School of Management, recognising leaders who blend emotional intelligence with strategic business thinking.

His earlier accolades include being named ‘Next Generation Business Leader of the Year’ by Forbes (2017) and inclusion in the Economic Times–Spencer Stuart’s ‘40 Under 40 Business Leaders’ list — honours that underscore his position among India’s most dynamic corporate voices.

From CEAT to FICCI: A Journey Rooted in Purpose

Anant Goenka’s career began with global exposure at Unilever and KEC International, before he took charge of steering CEAT through a decade of disruption, technological evolution, and global competition. His time at CEAT showcased his ability to blend traditional Indian business values with modern management practices, making him an ideal choice to lead an institution like FICCI — which sits at the crossroads of policy, industry, and innovation.

He has also served as Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA), playing a key role in representing the industry’s interests on national and international platforms.

A Leader for FICCI’s Next Century

As FICCI stands on the threshold of its 100th year, the appointment of a new-age leader like Goenka reflects the chamber’s intent to infuse fresh energy and perspective into its long-standing mission of driving Indian industry forward.

Under Goenka’s leadership, FICCI is expected to intensify its focus on innovation, competitiveness, sustainability, and global engagement — themes that align closely with India’s ambition to be among the world’s top three economies in the coming decade.

An alumnus of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Goenka holds a BS in Economics and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management — credentials that reinforce his global outlook and strategic depth.

As Anant Goenka prepares to take charge in late 2025, his appointment is being viewed as both symbolic and strategic — representing a generational handover in Indian industry leadership.
For FICCI, which has long been a bridge between industry and government, his presidency may bring a sharper focus on innovation, youth entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth, areas where India is fast emerging as a global voice.

In an era where businesses are being redefined by technology, collaboration, and purpose, Goenka’s leadership is poised to help FICCI chart its course through its next century — anchored in legacy, yet propelled by innovation.