Anil Manibhai Naik, popularly known as A. M. Naik, is an Indian industrialist, philanthropist and the Group Chairman of Larsen & Toubro Limited, an Indian engineering conglomerate, and since 2018, the Chairman of the National Skill Development Corporation.
Anil Manibhai Naik, is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in India. Ever since he took charge of Larsen & Turbo, he has fought many battles to take the company to the top. He made L&T a global leader through sheer hard work and through what he calls ‘devotion beyond dedication’. Under his dynamic leadership, the company recorded its most robust performance.

A.M. Naik was born into a family of teachers on June 3, 1942 in Endhal in Southern Gujarat. His father was a teacher and also a strict Gandhian. Naik received his early education in Navsari. He completed a degree in mechanical engineering from the prestigious Birla Viswakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College in VV Nagar in Anand.

In 1965, Anil. M. Naik joined Larsen & Turbo as a junior engineer and became the youngest manager in the history of the organisation. In 1985, he was made the ‘General Manager’ as he rose quickly through the ranks. In 1989, he took over as the Vice-President of the organisation and became a member of the Director Board. Anil M. Naik’s broader perspective enabled the company to expand its horizons beyond domestic borders and reach a position which enabled it to become a global player. He restructured the company into several operating divisions and focused on improving shareholder value. The emphasis on HR and IT as twin engines of growth yielded the organization fruitful results. In 1995, Anil became the President of L&T and in 1999, took over as the ‘Chief Executive Officer’ and the Managing Director. In 2003, he became the Chairman and Managing Director of the organisation.

In the early nineties, Anil M. Naik came up with the idea of manufacturing engineering equipment which saw the organization treading down the manufacturing path. It began manufacturing plastic machinery, tire machinery and custom engineering products. This enabled L&T to achieve major success in the indigenization of technology and in the technology and nuclear sectors. This paid rich dividends and the turnover of the company grew fifty times in eight years. This happened when Anil M. Naik took over as the Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, the company expanded its horizons in the IT sector and made huge profits. Anil.M. Naik has involved himself in many social activities and is currently involved in the development of an educational institution set up by his father in Navsari in Gujarat. He is also associated with several educational and charitable institutions that help support the rural population of India. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS.

Anil Manibhai Naik is an inspirational entrepreneur since he dedicated half of his life to make his organisation, the biggest engineering giant in India and one of the largest in the world.