Kolkata: B Muthuraman, vice chairman of Tata Steel, was today awarded the prestigious 2009 IIM-JRD Award for `Excellence in Corporate Leadership in Metallurgical Industries’ by The Indian Institute of Metals. The award was presented by the union minister for steel, Virbhadra Singh, at a function held at Science City, Kolkata, to mark the 47th National Metallurgists Day and 63rd Annual Technical Meeting organised by The Indian Institute of Metals here.

 

The citation of the IIM special award describes Mr Muthuraman as “the noted dynamic corporate leader, besides stewarding Tata Steel in adopting world-class practices in all aspects, has made significant contributions in enhancing the quality image of India and putting India on the world steel map”. Mr Muthuraman “is well known for his passion for corporate social responsibility, proximity to the students and teachers and concern for environmental issues”, the citation adds.

 

Mr Muthuraman dedicated the award to the people who he worked with and The Indian Institute of Metals in his acceptance speech.

 

Mr Muthuraman joined Tata Steel as a graduate trainee in 1966. After he worked in the areas of iron making and engineering development for 10 years, he moved to the company’s marketing and sales division where he spent nearly 20 years ultimately rising to the level of vice president. In 1995, he was selected to spearhead the prestigious cold rolling mill project which was completed in record time. He was appointed executive director (special projects) in August 2000 and served as the main change agent for major diversification projects and played a key role in mergers and acquisitions of Tata Steel. He has served as the managing director of Tata Steel from July 2001 to September 2009. He was appointed vice chairman of Tata Steel with effect from October 1,2009.

 

Mr Muthuraman is the chairman of Tata International and also a director on the boards of several companies such as Tata Incorporated, New York, Tata Industries, Tata Steel Global Mineral Holdings, Singapore, Tata Steel Europe and Bosch.

 

Mr Muthuraman is closely associated with several professional bodies. He is a director on the board of CEDEP, France, chairman, board of governors of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, chairman, board of governors, XLRI, Jamshedpur, chairman, National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, national council member of Confederation of Indian Industry and member, business advisory council of Economic & Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP).

 

An avid reader and a keen golfer and cricket enthusiast, Mr Muthuraman has been awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award by IIT, Madras (1997), Tata Gold Medal, Indian Institute of Metals (2002), National HRD Network Pathfinders Award 2004 in the CEO category, CEO of the Year 2005 Business Standard, CEO with HRD Orientation Award 2005, World HRD Congress at Mumbai and Management Man of the Year 2006-07 conferred by Bombay Management Association.