Mahindra & Mahindra former chairman Keshub Mahindra passes away

Legendary businessman Keshub Mahindra, chairman emeritus of Mahindra & Mahindra, passed away at the age of 99 on Wednesday.

A well-known philanthropist and business leader, he is among those who had redefined good corporate governance in India.

Born on October 9, 1923 in Shimla, Mahindra completed his graduation from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Mahindra joined his father’s company, which started by manufacturing and selling utility vehicles, in 1947. He was chairman of the Mumbai-listed conglomerate from 1963 to 2012. Keshub has been credited for transforming the company from an assembler of Willys Jeeps in India into a diversified conglomerate.

On his retirement, he named nephew Anand Mahindra his successor.

He was appointed by the Government of India to serve on many Committees including the Sachar Commission on Company Law & MRTP and the Central Advisory Council of Industries.

In 1987, he was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Legion d'honneur by the French Government. From 2004 to 2010, Mahindra was a Member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry, New Delhi.

Mahindra was a member of the Apex Advisory Council of ASSOCHAM and was the President Emeritus of the Employers’ Federation of India. He was also an Honorary Fellow of the All India Management Association, New Delhi and a member of the Council of the United World Colleges (International) in the United Kingdom.

He also served on several Boards and Councils in both the private and public domain, including SAIL, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels, IFC and ICICI. He was also the Founder Chairman of Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO); Vice-Chairman of Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd; Chairman of Mahindra Ugine Steel Co Ltd; as well as Director of Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co Ltd and Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited.