Rajiv Memani, chairman and CEO of EY India, has taken over as president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2025-26. His appointment was confirmed during a meeting of the newly formed CII National Council, according to a statement released by the industry body on June 1. He succeeds ITC’s chairman and managing director Sanjiv Puri.
This development marks another leadership shift at one of India’s most influential business chambers. Memani had served as CII’s president-designate during 2024-25 and as vice-president the year before, making this a fairly expected transition within the CII's hierarchy.
Memani wears multiple hats—besides his role at EY India, he’s also on the EY Global Executive Board as chair of its Growth Markets Council. His client list includes major Indian conglomerates, private equity firms, and multinational businesses. He’s known for advising on strategic themes such as mergers and acquisitions, technology adaptation, and capital allocation, though it remains to be seen how that translates into policy or advocacy at CII.
A commerce graduate from Shri Ram College of Commerce and a qualified chartered accountant, Memani has been part of several government panels over the years. One of his more notable contributions was being on the Ministry of Finance task force that drafted a new Direct Tax Code back in 2019—though the code itself is yet to see the light of day.
Joining Memani in CII's leadership team is Suchitra K Ella, co-founder and managing director of Bharat Biotech International Ltd. She steps in as the CII vice-president. Ella has had a long journey in the biotech space, having helped start Bharat Biotech in 1996 and later expanding into veterinary science, agri-biotech, and food processing ventures.
Ella is also known for her role in vaccine development, especially during India’s COVID-19 response, though CII’s note avoids delving into specifics. A Padma Bhushan awardee, she brings a distinctly scientific background into the industry body's leadership—something not very common at this level.
R Mukundan, managing director and CEO of Tata Chemicals, has been named the president-designate of CII for 2025-26. That likely means he’ll take over from Memani the following year, assuming things go to plan. Mukundan, an IIT Roorkee alumnus with a Harvard Business School polish, has been with the Tata Group for over three decades. He’s held key roles across Tata’s automotive, chemicals, and hospitality businesses.
With this trio now in place—Memani, Ella, and Mukundan—CII seems to be banking on a blend of corporate experience, global exposure, and homegrown science. Whether that combination will influence its stance on trade, taxation, or industrial policy remains to be seen.
