Shri A Vellayan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa group and Chairman- Coromandal International Ltd., EID Parry (India) and Murugappa Holdings Ltd., has been appointed the new Chairman of the Society and Board of Governors of IIM Kozhikode. In addition, he is associated with various organisations including Ambadi Investments Pvt. Ltd., Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Limited, Foskor Pty. Ltd., South Africa. In the past, Shri Vellayan has held positions of President in various industry and trade organizations, and has also been Director of EXIM Bank and Indian Overseas Bank. He is an alumnus of well-known educational institutions such as Doon School, Sriram College of Commerce, Aston University, UK and University of Warwick Business School, UK. He has been honoured with Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Aston University, UK.

Prof. Kulbhushan Balooni, Director i/c, IIM Kozhikode said "On behalf of the entire IIM Kozhikode community, I am delighted to welcome Shri Vellayan, as the new Chairman of the Institute. I am sure that under his guidance, IIM Kozhikode shall attain greater heights".