Vijay Sankar, Chairman of The Sanmar Group, has been named President-Elect of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for 2026-27, bringing a Chennai-based industrialist to the helm of the apex business chamber in its centenary year.

The announcement was made by FICCI’s National Executive Committee at its meeting on Thursday. Mr. Sankar, currently Senior Vice-President of the chamber, will succeed Anant Goenka as President following FICCI’s annual general meeting and annual convention in New Delhi on November 18 and 19.

Mr. Sankar’s elevation marks the return of a Tamil Nadu-based industrialist to the chamber’s presidency after more than two decades. A. C. Muthiah was FICCI President in 2002-03.

Founded in 1927, FICCI is among India’s oldest and largest industry associations.

Headquartered in Chennai, The Sanmar Group has interests in chemicals and speciality chemicals, engineering, steel foundries and shipping, with manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu and Karaikal, Puducherry.

Mr. Sankar is also Chairman of Chemplast Sanmar Ltd and an independent director on the boards of TVS Motor Company Ltd and Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

A chartered accountant, he holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s JL Kellogg Graduate School of Management in the U.S. He also serves as Denmark’s Honorary Consul General in Chennai.