Mr. M V Gowtama, Bharat Electronics Limited CMD, retires

Mr. M V Gowtama, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), retired today (June 30, 2021), on superannuation after an illustrious career in BEL spanning over 38 years. 

Mr. M V Gowtama, CMD, BEL, retired today (June 30, 2021), on superannuation after an illustrious career in BEL spanning over 38 years

New Delhi: Innovative and quick thinking, leading from the front, highly knowledgeable with a remarkable memory, excellent communication skills, a cool and calm demeanour, and dynamism are the hallmarks of Mr. Gowtama M V, CMD, BEL. 

Mr. M V Gowtama, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), retired today (June 30, 2021), on superannuation after an illustrious career in BEL spanning over 38 years. 

Mr. Gowtama joined BEL at Ghaziabad Unit in January 1983 as a Probationary Engineer after completing his B. Tech in Electronics and Communications from Sri Venkateswara University College of Engineering, Tirupati, in 1983. He was transferred to Hyderabad Unit in May 1986. 

Mr. Gowtama was one of the founding members of BEL’s Hyderabad Unit, which was established in 1986 to cater to the highly specialized Electronic Warfare business segment. He was instrumental in the design, development, manufacture, installation and commissioning of the first major EW System manufactured in the country. 

Despite being extremely busy at work, Mr. Gowtama obtained M.Tech in Advanced Electronics from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, in 2002.

Mr. Gowtama took charge as General Manager (Technology Planning) at BEL’s Corporate Office on February 1, 2010. Under his leadership, a Knowledge Management Portal was created. He was instrumental in bringing out a comprehensive R&D Manual and the R&D Vision Document. He initiated the drive for Collaborative R&D.

Mr. Gowtama later served as General Manager (Military Communications)/BEL-Bengaluru Unit, where he spearheaded the development and production of Software Defined Radio (SDR) for the defence forces. He was Executive Director (Missile Systems) at BEL’s Bengaluru Unit before he took charge as the Chairman and Managing Director on 8th November 2016.

During his tenure, BEL grew at a CAGR of 12%. Under his leadership, BEL achieved the landmark turnover of Rs.13,818 Crores during FY 2020-21 despite the challenges posed by the COVID19 Pandemic & intense competition. Under his dynamic leadership, BEL’s order book has grown at a healthy pace. BEL’s Order Book is over Rs.53,000 Crs. The 30,000 ICU ventilators supplied to the Govt of India to combat the pandemic in a record time is a feather in his cap.

He was instrumental in pursuing business in the non-defence segment – Homeland Security solutions, Smart City, Energy Storage Products including e-Vehicle Charging Stations, Solar, Space Electronics including Satellite integration, Network & Cyber Security, Railways & Metro Solutions, Airport Solutions, Medical Electronics, Composites and Software Solutions. He set up new Strategic Business Units and micro SBUs to address these new areas. 

Mr. Gowtama has engineered strategic partnerships with leading global players as well as in the domestic segment for long-term business growth and expansion. He has expanded the global footprint of BEL by opening marketing offices in Vietnam, Myanmar, Oman, and Sri Lanka.

Mr. Gowtama has given greater thrust to R&D for increasing indigenization and value addition in products/systems. BEL’s total investment on R&D as a percentage of turnover is the highest among defence PSUs. 

Mr. Gowtama was instrumental in setting up Product Development & Innovation Centre (PD&IC) at Bengaluru. 

Mr. Gowtama is passionate about the competency enhancement of the employees. He advocates improving their skills for present and future roles. He spearheaded setting up the BEL Academy for Excellence. Mr. Gowtama is a champion of Corporate Social Responsibility.

With Mr. Gowtama at the helm, BEL has won a host of prestigious awards including the CII EXIM Bank Business Excellence Award (2018) for Bangalore Complex and the Jury’s Commendation for Role Model Organisation. Mr. Gowtama has won many accolades for being a wonderful leader: ‘Business Leader of the Year’ Award; CEO with HR Orientation Award; Engineering Council of India’s Commendation Award; Great Son of the Soil Award; Hall of Fame Award by Manufacturing Today; Amity Leadership Award for Business Excellence and Most Enterprising CEO in Electronics Sector.

Posted Date :  30-06-21