Anil Manibhai Naik, Industrialist
Industrialist

Anil Manibhai Naik

Born 9 June 1942 · verify

Led Larsen & Toubro as chairman emeritus, expanding it into a global engineering conglomerate.

Anil Manibhai Naik is an Indian industrialist, philanthropist and the chairman emeritus of Larsen & Toubro, an Indian engineering conglomerate, and a former chairman of the National Skill Development Corporation.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

For the first 21 years at L&T, Anil Manibhai Naik never took a single day off, accumulating leave salary worth ₹32 crore when he retired.

The Story

1
⚙️ In 1965, a young Anil Manibhai Naik joined Larsen & Toubro as a junior engineer with a humble salary, despite initially being rejected for his lack of an IIT degree and poor English skills, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey.
2
🚀 By 1967, Naik became the youngest assistant manager in L&T’s history, overseeing 800 employees by the age of 25, a meteoric rise fueled by relentless 16-hour workdays and uncompromising dedication.
3🛡️ In the late 1980s, Naik orchestrated a defensive strategy to protect L&T from a hostile takeover by Reliance Group by creating the L&T Employees Welfare Foundation, effectively ring-fencing the company’s shares from outside threats.
4🌍 As CEO and later Chairman from 1999 to 2017, Naik led L&T’s transformation into a global powerhouse by indigenising critical defence equipment manufacturing and benchmarking operations against international standards.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Naik joined L&T in 1965 as a junior engineer despite being initially rejected for his poor English and not being an IIT graduate, highlighting his determination to enter the company.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Anil Manibhai Naik attending an L&T workshop demonstrating his executive involvement (2015)
Anil Manibhai Naik attending an L&T workshop demonstrating his executive involvement (2015)
2015

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Gujarat to a family of teachers
Anil Manibhai Naik was born into a Gujarati family committed to education, setting early roots in values that would shape his future leadership.
1942
⚡
Career
Joined Larsen & Toubro as junior engineer
Naik began his career at L&T with a modest position and salary, overcoming initial rejections due to language and educational background.
1965
⚡
Career
Became youngest Assistant Manager at L&T
Within just over two years, Naik was promoted to Assistant Manager, a record at the company, managing a large workforce at only 25 years old.
1967
⚡
Career
Appointed Member of L&T Board
Naik’s strategic vision earned him a seat on the board, expanding his influence over L&T’s direction and governance.
1989
⚡
Career
Became CEO and Managing Director of L&T
Naik took charge as CEO and MD, steering the company through a major transformation period towards global competitiveness.
1999
⚡
Career
Elevated to Chairman of L&T
He became the first employee to be appointed chairman, marking a historic milestone in L&T’s leadership tradition.
2003
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
The Government of India recognized Naik’s industrial and philanthropic work with the Padma Bhushan, third highest civilian award.
2009
⚡
Career
Stepped down as Executive Chairman
Naik transitioned to a non-executive Group Chairman role, passing operational responsibilities but retaining strategic influence.
2017
🏅
Award
Received Padma Vibhushan
India honored Naik with the Padma Vibhushan, its second highest civilian award, recognizing decades of contributions to industry and skill development.
2019
⚡
Career
Appointed Chairman Emeritus of L&T
Naik assumed the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus, continuing to inspire the conglomerate’s vision and values.
2023
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In the 1980s, L&T faced a hostile takeover attempt by Reliance Group, which Naik successfully thwarted by arranging shareholding through the Employees Welfare Foundation.

02 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Naik worked punishing 16-hour days and did not take a single leave day for 21 years, demonstrating an extraordinary work ethic that defined his leadership style.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He was the first employee in L&T history to rise to the chairman position, breaking the tradition of external appointments.

“

"We ring-fenced L&T from future takeover attempts by setting up the L&T Employees Welfare Foundation." – A M Naik, CEO, L&T, 2001

— Anil Manibhai Naik

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
A M Naik - Committed Philanthropist & The Oracle of Indian Engineering
More from this archive
A M Naik - Committed Philanthropist & The Oracle of Indian Engineering
01
A M Naik - Committed Philanthropist & The Oracle of Indian Engineering
#9June #HBD #PadmaBhushan #PadmaVibhushan #Chairman of #L&T #Anil #Manibhai #Naik #Navsari #ગુજરાત
02
#9June #HBD #PadmaBhushan #PadmaVibhushan #Chairman of #L&T #Anil #Manibhai #Naik #Navsari #ગુજરાત
“L&T has been my life,” Says AM Naik. Here’s How The Company Performed Under His Chairmanship. Watch
03
“L&T has been my life,” Says AM Naik. Here’s How The Company Performed Under His Chairmanship. Watch
The life and times of L&T's AM Naik.
04
The life and times of L&T's AM Naik.
Exclusive talk with A. M Naik, Executive Chairman, L&T on the opening of IPO
05
Exclusive talk with A. M Naik, Executive Chairman, L&T on the opening of IPO

🌱 What changed because of them

Anil M. Naik fundamentally altered India’s engineering landscape by transforming Larsen & Toubro into a global leader in defence and infrastructure, indigenising missile and weapon system production. His defensive shareholding structure via the Employees Welfare Foundation shielded L&T from hostile takeovers, ensuring its independence. His tenure at the National Skill Development Corporation also helped shape India’s approach to workforce empowerment.

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