Committee Members

Oliver Ballhatchet represents the UK in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. He joined FCO in 2004, working on Counter Terrorism, in Western Balkans and then in Brasilia, Brazil on Energy and Global Climate Change. In 2011, Oliver moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he was Political Consul until 2017. For past two years, Oliver served as the Deputy Head of the UK’s UN Peacekeeping Joint Unit. During Oliver’s nine years in Brazil, he was also the Olympic and Paralympic Attaché for the British teams at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This work was recognised when Oliver was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours List. Oliver has visited India before when he spent three months teaching in a junior school in Patiala, Punjab, later travelling the country by train. He has both a Degree and an Honorary Doctorate in Law and is joined in Chennai by his wife and three-year-old daughter. He has a keen interest in cricket.

Ravi Kumar is a technology entrepreneur, angel investor and previously board director of a FTSE-250 healthcare technology company. He is the Chairman of ZANEC – a technology company; his business interests include Healthcare, Human capital Development and Child Care. Contact: ravi.kumar@zanec.com / +91 9840776986

Peter is the Co-Chariman of BBG South. Peter is now Head of Bus & Cab Engineering, Ashok Leyland. In his professional career he has over 38 years’ experience in the Automotive industry. Peter started his working life in the UK but, as well as spending some significant time working with the Indian Auto industry, has also worked in the USA and Brazil. He currently works with Ashok Leyland. Contact: Spackman.P@ashokleyland.com / +91 9952403836

Professional career span of more than 32 years in technology industry clusters including semiconductors, microchip, IT and IT-enabled business segments covering the Asia Pacific, Fareast, Europe, UK & US regions. Heads own technology management consulting firm. He is also director of the India entity of UK based Fircroft which provides global workforce solutions to specialist & technical engineering sectors. Interests include sustainable development, eco & bio-diversity and human capital development. Contact: vijay_k_sg@yahoo.com / +91 9840239882.

Hemant Srivatsa is Member of BBG and partner of Murray & Co longest-standing auction house in Chennai, among oldest in India. Since 1992, Hemant conducted over 1000 auctions. Murrays provides physical & online auctioning services in real estate, industrial, retail art & collectables spaces. Passionate about spreading art to wider community and to educate people to preserve heritage Other interests: English Billiards & Snooker & pets Mob: 9840038512 E-mail: hemant@murrays.in

Pemmanda Monnappa Belliappa is a retired IAS officer of Tamil Nadu and in his 37-year service he occupied important posts such as head of the National Hydro-Electric Corporation and CMD of Rural Electrification Corporation of India. In 2010 he was decorated with the “Most Excellent Order” of the “Member of the British Empire (MBE)” by the Queen of England for his contribution towards improving Indo-U.K. relationship, especially in his capacity as president of the Association of British Scholars (ABS) in Chennai. Contact: sonnabel@gmail.com / +91 9444015219

Second generation lawyer practicing in Indian and international transactions space. Madras University 2001 graduate and Fulbright Fellow. Career with Fox Mandal specializing in Renewable projects for wind and solar energy and Corporate law covering foreign investments, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and Intellectual Property strategies / technology transfers. Mentors entrepreneurs and start-ups. Contact: r.jeevanandham@foxmandal.com / +91 9841166670

Prakash made career in banking/ aqua-culture /wind energy & construction over 38 years. His real estate property development has spanned over two decades with 20 SPVs valued at Rs. 2500cr. He is Chairman of CREDAI National Finance & Tax Committee & Chairman of Chennai City Connect amongst memberships of several trade and business bodies. Contact pchalla@sspdl.com / +91 9381059090

Vikas is the Co-Founder of India’s fastest growing independent Digital Marketing agency, Social Beat; influencer platform, Influencer.in, and digital training initiative DigiGrad. Vikas is a Post Grad from London School of Economics. Prior to starting up, Vikas was a Brand Manager & Head of digital marketing at TI Cycles (Murugappa Group). His experience spans across Marketing, HR & Strategy at Murugappa & Tata Group. Contact: vikas@socialbeat.in / +044-42065648

Supriya Rao is a specialist in the Higher Education sector and has a rich experience of counseling and guiding students for the past two decades. She has led the student recruitment and operations for a leading Scottish University for close to 10 years. Currently she is working as Manager – Partnerships at Manchester Metropolitan University. A Commerce graduate from Bangalore University, Supriya is also a career mentor at an NGO which supports education for underprivileged children and believes in nurturing & helping them achieve their dreams.
supriya.kswamy@gmail.com / +91 9845296798

He is a maritime & shipping professional with over 41 years of experience, both as a sailing captain and in ship-management with Wallems, Hong Kong. He is presently the CEO of SeaTeam / Frontline Group, Norway – the largest oil tanker fleet owner. In 2015, he was appointed the Honorary Consul for Rep of Angola in South India. Contact: captgramaswamy@gmail.com / +91 9840082276