He is the founder of VNS Legal, a Chennai-based corporate law firm, bringing over 30 years of multidisciplinary expertise as an advocate, company secretary, and cost accountant. He specialises in M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring and is an active startup mentor and trustee.
AMPA. Palaniappan, Managing Director – AMPA GROUP, has been elected as the senior vice president.
Dr J. Rafiq Ahmed, Executive Chairman, Kothari Industrial Corporation Limited (KICL), has been appointed as the vice president.
With a background spanning logistics and industrial manufacturing, Rafiq Ahmed has spearheaded KICL’s revival and diversification across non-leather footwear manufacturing for global brands, drone technology, geospatial solutions, fertilisers and hospitality, alongside driving rural employment and skilling initiatives across Tamil Nadu.
The new office bearers were elected at SICCI’s 116th annual general meeting held in Chennai on Tuesday.
Speaking to Industrial Economist, Dr Rafiq Ahmed said, “India is looking to grow into an economic superpower, and SICCI will try to contribute as much as possible. MSMEs are very important, and I believe doing is better than talking. I will try to do something good for society.”

