Rajiv Memani, Chairman and CEO of EY India, has officially assumed the role of President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2025-26. The announcement was made on Sunday, June 1, 2025, marking a significant transition in leadership for the prominent industry body. Memani succeeds Sanjiv Puri, Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Ltd, who held the position for the preceding term.
The CII, as the leading industry chamber in India, plays a crucial role in shaping the country's economic policies and fostering growth across various sectors. The appointment of Rajiv Memani signals a continued focus on strategic economic development, leveraging his extensive experience in advising top Indian and global corporations.
Alongside Memani, R Mukundan, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Chemicals, has been named President-Designate. Suchitra K Ella, Co-founder and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, will serve as the Vice President of CII. These appointments were confirmed during the first meeting of the newly constituted CII National Council.
Rajiv Memani brings to the CII presidency a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in the professional services arena. As Chairman and CEO of EY India, he has been instrumental in guiding the firm's growth and establishing it as a leading player in the Indian market. He is also a member of the EY Global Executive Board, where he chairs the Growth Markets Council, responsible for advancing EY's growth agenda in emerging markets and aligning their priorities with the firm's global investments.
Memani's expertise extends to advising large Indian companies, private equity funds, and multinational organizations on critical aspects such as building confidence, mergers and acquisitions, technology adoption, and smart capital allocation strategies. His deep understanding of the Indian business landscape and his strategic insights make him well-positioned to lead the CII in its mission to promote economic growth and competitiveness.
Prior to his current role, Memani established EY India's market-leading Corporate Finance (now Strategy & Transactions) practice in the late 1990s. He has also been actively involved in public discourse on tax and policy reforms, serving on several high-powered Government of India committees, including the Finance Ministry taskforce that drafted a new Direct Tax Code in 2019.
Beyond his professional achievements, Memani is committed to social causes. He is the President of the Board of Him Jyoti School, an institution dedicated to providing quality education to underprivileged girls in Uttarakhand. He also serves as a Board member of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Sirmaur, and a member of the governing council of KREA University. Furthermore, he leads the EY Foundation, championing initiatives in education, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
R Mukundan, the newly appointed President-Designate, brings extensive experience from the Tata Group. As Managing Director and CEO of Tata Chemicals, he has been instrumental in expanding the company's global presence and contributing to sustainable chemical production initiatives in India. Suchitra K Ella, as Vice President, adds her entrepreneurial expertise and insights from the biotechnology sector, further diversifying the leadership's perspectives.
The CII leadership transition under Rajiv Memani is expected to usher in a new phase of proactive engagement with the government, industry, and other stakeholders to address key challenges and opportunities facing the Indian economy. Focus areas are likely to include promoting innovation, enhancing competitiveness, fostering sustainable development, and creating a conducive environment for investment and growth.
