Vellayan Subbiah Wins Prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award

Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Vice-Chairman of Tube Investments of India (TII) and Chairman of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd. (Chola), has been named the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024. The announcement was made by Carmine Di Sibio, EY Global Chairman and CEO, during a grand ceremony, celebrating Subbiah's exemplary entrepreneurial journey and leadership.

Carmine Di Sibio praised Subbiah's contributions, stating, “Vellayan possesses all of the qualities one looks for in an entrepreneur. The impressive growth of the businesses he’s led have been remarkable, but his story goes far beyond numbers. His humble and personable approach to leadership and his philosophy of enabling others to ‘enter a better life’ are the embodiment of what it means to be EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year. He also has an exemplary track record on giving back through education scholarships, health innovations, and environmental stewardship. Congratulations to Vellayan, a truly deserving world winner”.

Subbiah has played a pivotal role in transforming TII and Chola, driving their growth through innovation, customer-centric strategies, and a commitment to sustainability. His leadership has not only scaled the businesses but also instilled a culture of continuous improvement and social responsibility.

Upon receiving the award, Subbiah expressed his gratitude and shared his entrepreneurial philosophy. I am deeply honored and grateful to be recognised as the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year. As part of a fourth-generation family business, the spirit of entrepreneurship runs deep within me. I am inspired by those who came before me and those who will follow. I firmly believe that by approaching challenges as opportunities and committing ourselves to a path of self-improvement, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Thanks to my incredible colleagues who have made it all possible, and I hope to further the legacy of past winners by continuing to elevate others throughout my entrepreneurial journey.

Rajiv Memani, Chairman and CEO of EY India, lauded Subbiah's accomplishments, emphasizing his visionary leadership. “I am thrilled and immensely proud to witness an Indian entrepreneur win on the global stage. Vellayan has grown and transformed his businesses to remarkable scale through a customer-centric approach, innovation, and long-term sustainability at the core. He is a business leader driven by a purposeful vision of nation-building and transformative change, deeply rooted in Indian spirituality that also steers his entrepreneurial ambitions".

Subbiah's recognition as EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year underscores his outstanding contributions to the global business landscape. His commitment to leveraging business for societal good and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship sets a remarkable example for future leaders.

The EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year award is a prestigious accolade that honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, and achievement in their industries. Subbiah's win highlights the potential of Indian entrepreneurs on the international stage and serves as an inspiration for emerging business leaders globally.