UK India Business Council (UKIBC) announces Kishore Jayaraman OBE as new Group CEO
By Trisha Nagpal
The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kishore Jayaraman OBE as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Kishore has been closely associated with UKIBC for nearly a decade, serving as India Chair and a member of the UKIBC Group Board since 2016. His deep understanding of the UK-India business corridor, combined with decades of leadership in global corporations, positions him strongly to lead UKIBC into its next phase of growth
and impact. He is a globally respected business leader with over 35 years of experience across the aerospace, energy, and advanced engineering sectors.
Kishore was awarded an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by HMG in 2022, for his significant services to international trade and investment with a key focus on promotion of India-UK trade. Latterly, until 31st December he was President of Rolls-Royce India and South Asia. At Rolls-Royce, he drove strategic growth across Civil Aerospace, Defence, and Power Systems. He also spearheaded new digital, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities in India, and expanded local partnerships through joint ventures with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Force Motors.
Prior to Rolls-Royce, Kishore held multiple senior roles, culminating as President & CEO of GE Energy, South Asia. He was instrumental in expanding GE’s energy footprint in the region, advancing localisation, and building supply chain partnerships. As the Chief Executive, Kishore will lead UKIBC’s mission to deepen bilateral trade, investment, and innovation partnerships between the UK and India.
His appointment comes at a time when UK and Indian trade and economic relations has received significant stimulus with the announcement of the Technology Security Initiative, the signing of the UK India Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and the wide-ranging strategic roadmap, titled India-UK Vision 2035 as well as the focus afforded by the UK Industrial Strategy 2035. The Group Board has ambitious plans for the UKIBC to play a significant role in supporting trade and economic success of both Governments and businesses of both India and the UK into the future. The Board welcomes the leadership of a senior and experienced business professional to take the organisation forward.
UKIBC Chair, Richard Heald OBE, said:
“We are excited that Kishore will be leading UKIBC as the Group Chief Executive, bringing in his experience of more than 35 years and extensive knowledge of the UK-India corridor. The Board and I very much look forward to supporting and working with him into the future. With the Free Trade Agreement signed recently, there are plethora of engagements UKIBC is leading with the governments in both the countries, making it a unique task for Kishore to spearhead the conversations. He has been associated with UKIBC and understands our ambition to strive to enhance and develop existing –and new – advocacy, consultancy and support services in both the UK and India.”
UKIBC Group CEO, Dr. Kishore Jayaraman OBE said:
“I am honoured to take on this role at such an important time for the UK-India partnership. UKIBC is a unique platform that is Industry led, Government supported last mile connectivity solution provider/partner for the UK-India economic corridor. The opportunities for collaboration between our two countries have never been greater, and I look forward to working with UKIBC members, governments, and stakeholders to unlock this potential.”
For further information please contact:-
Ms Louise Hobson; louise.hobson@ukibc.com
