Shashi Ruia

Achievement: Chairman,Essar Group,is a first generation entrepreneur industrialist.

He has made invaluable contributions toward strengthening the core and infrastructure sectors in India and has steered the Essar Group to a premier position in global industry. Mr Ruia began his career in the family business in 1965 under the guidance of his father, the late Nand Kishore Ruia. Along with brother Ravi, Shashi Ruia laid the foundation of the Essar Group, which is today a multinational conglomerate with operations in more than 25 countries, 75,000 people, and revenues of USD 17 billion. Essar is a leading player in the sectors of Steel, Oil & Gas, Power, Communications, Shipping Ports & Logistics, Construction and Minerals. Shashi Ruia's vision saw the Essar Group gain a first mover advantage in many of these businesses. For example, when the telecom sector was opened up for private participation, Essar was among the first companies to offer mobile telephony services. Today, Essar is a partner with Vodafone in India's booming telecom market. In USA, Essar has investments of over US$ 3 bn in steel, coal and BPO, employing over 13,000 people. Mr Ruia has masterminded the group's business strategy and consolidated a range of activities through backward and forward integration. This has enabled the group unleash unique synergies across its businesses. Mr Ruia is on several important national bodies and industry associations. He was on the managing committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), an apex body of India's trade and business associations. He has also been the Chairman of the prestigious Indo-US Joint Business Council and is a former president of the Indian National Shipowners Association (lNSA). In 2007, Mr Ruia joined an elite list of achievers, which include the likes of Richard Branson, Peter Gabriel, Ray Chambers, Pam Omidyar, Amy Robbins and Richard Tarlow, who will independently fund The Elders.