Kumar Mangalam Birla

Kumar Mangalam Birla (born 14 June 1967) is an Indian businessman and the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, one of India's largest conglomerates with annual revenues exceeding $50 billion. The group has a presence in over 36 countries and employs over 140,000 people worldwide across diverse sectors including cement (UltraTech Cement — the largest in India), telecom (Vodafone Idea), retail (Fashion at Big Bazaar), and financial services. Born into the Birla business dynasty, one of India's oldest and most respected industrial families, Kumar Mangalam took over the Aditya Birla Group at the young age of 28 after his father Aditya Birla's death in 1995. Despite his youth, he proved to be an astute leader who transformed the group into a truly global enterprise. Under his leadership, UltraTech Cement became India's largest cement manufacturer and the third largest outside China. The group expanded aggressively in Southeast Asia, acquiring companies in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Grasim Industries, the group's flagship company, diversified into cement, chemicals, and textiles. Birla is also chancellor of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani), one of India's premier engineering institutions. He has been a member of various government advisory councils and is a vocal advocate for Indian business on the global stage. In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his contributions to trade and industry.