The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), Government of India, has conveyed that the Competent Authority has approved the appointment of Nandakumar Velayudhan Pillai, Group General Manager (Corporate Strategy) to the post of Director (Refinery) on the Board of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) for a period of five years from the date of his assumption of the charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Pillai has taken charge as Director (Refinery) with effect from 08/08/2024. Mundkur Shyamprasad Kamath, Managing Director was earlier assigned the additional charge of the post of Director (Refinery) for a period of three months with effect from 01/07/2024, or till the appointment of regular incumbent to the post, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest. Accordingly, with the appointment of Pillai as Director (Refinery), Shyamprasad Kamath has vacated the additional charge of the office of Director (Refinery) with effect from Augusts 8, 2024.

Pillai is a seasoned refining industry expert with over 30 years of experience. He has been closely associated with all the major milestones in the growth of the organization and has worked in production planning, process, operations and project departments, as well as in the Refinery head office in various capacities. Currently, he serves as Group General Manager, Corporate Strategy Department.

Pillai has a proven track record of leading high-value projects, including a US $500 million investment portfolio during the Phase -3 expansion of the refinery. He is a strong advocate for collaborative work dynamics, innovation, team building, and mentoring.

Additionally, he contributes to industry standards as Convener to one of the Subcommittees of Bureau of Indian Standards and also is part of a government-appointed task force for selecting Centres of Excellence in Plastics, Polymer, and Petrochemicals research.

Nandakumar Velayudhan Pillai is a Chemical Engineer and graduated with first rank from Government Engineering College, Thrissur, Calicut University. He has also completed a Post Graduate Certificate Program in Management from T.A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal.