N. Sankar

Narayanan Sankar (19 November 194517 April 2022) was an Indian industrialist and chairman of the Sanmar group, a diversified Indian conglomerate. During a career spanning over five decades, he led the group's diversification into multiple businesses ranging from chemicals to shipping. Sankar had also been the president of the Indian industry organization ASSOCHAM and chairman of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Early life Sankar was born on 19 November 1945 to Madhuram and K. S. Narayanan, and was the elder of two siblings. Sankar obtained his bachelor's in science from AC College of Technology in Madras (now Chennai) and later went on to get his master's degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. During his time at the group, he led the group's growth both organic and through acquisitions. The group expanded its business footprint and helped with the group's international expansion. He introduced modern management practices and principles of corporate governance within the group, separating ownership from management. Sankar stepped down from his positions in 2007 and the Sanmar group sold their stake in the company in 2013.

Sankar served in leadership roles at multiple industry organizations including president of ASSOCHAM between 1991 and 1992, chairman of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 1986 and 1987, chairman of the Indo US Joint Business Council between 1998 and 1999.

Sankar remained involved in cricket and tennis over the years. He ran the Madras first-division cricket team Jolly Rovers; amongst the players from the club included Indian cricketer S. Venkataraghavan and wicket-keeper Bharath Reddy. Sankar had also served as the vice president of the All India Tennis Association and the president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. He was also a patron of the arts and was the chairman of Sruthi foundation, a classical performing arts organization. Sankar was a member of the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode.

Personal life Sankar and his wife, Chandra, had a son and a daughter. Sankar died on 17 April 2022 in Chennai, India. He was aged 76.