Director
Mr. B Prabhakaran
Mr. B. Prabhakaran is a respected industrialist and social entrepreneur, synonymous with the industrial corridor of the country for building one of India’s most successful mining enterprises and for his deep commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. Hailing from a farming family in Salem, Tamil Nadu, and trained in computer science, he began his professional journey with a modest equipment rental business in the early 1990s. In 1994, he founded Thriveni Earthmovers Pvt. Ltd., which has since evolved into India’s largest private mining development and operations company, with a growing presence across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia.
In 2021, Mr. Prabhakaran became the Co-Promoter and Managing Director of Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd. (LMEL), steering the company through a historic transformation. Under his leadership, LMEL was able to initiate and sustain iron ore operations in Gadchiroli, a region once dominated by Naxal-Maoist insurgency and widely known as part of India’s ‘Red Corridor.’ His community-focused, trust-based approach and perseverance in navigating one of the country's most difficult terrains, redefined the region’s narrative—from one of conflict to progress. Under his leadership, LMEL saw a 730% increase in production within three years and a rise in market capitalization from ₹200 crores to ₹70,000 crores, making it one of India’s fastest-growing mid-cap companies.
Central to his approach is a deep respect for people and the planet. Mr. Prabhakaran is known for combining modern mining technologies with environmental sustainability and local knowledge. From deploying slurry pipelines and electric vehicle fleets to reduce emissions, to implementing the banded hematite quartzite beneficiation process to minimize waste, he has led some of India’s most eco-efficient industrial practices. He has implemented large-scale afforestation programs, including the planting of over 1.1 million saplings across Gadchiroli, and is spearheading India’s Green Steel vision by creating India’s first Green Mine and prioritizing cleaner, greener steel production through sustainable mining practices.
“We don’t just mine minerals, we mine human potential. True success lies in how many lives we uplift along the way.” — B. Prabhakaran
As a social entrepreneur, Mr. Prabhakaran has embedded inclusivity into the DNA of his business model. Through the Lloyds Infinite Foundation, he has supported a wide range of grassroots development programs from free education for tribal children and rural healthcare infrastructure to women’s empowerment through the ‘Vanya’ initiative and international scholarships for tribal youth at Curtin University, Australia, which have created long-term, sustainable livelihood opportunities.
One of his most path-breaking initiatives has been the introduction of a comprehensive Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), through which over ₹1,000 crores worth of shares have been distributed to more than 6,300 employees, many of whom are from tribal and blue-collar backgrounds. This model of shared ownership instills pride, loyalty, and financial security among the workforce and is a reflection of Mr. Prabhakaran’s collaborative approach and his belief that prosperity must be collective and inclusive.
Known for his calm problem-solving in the face of complex technical, political, and geographical challenges, Mr. Prabhakaran has consistently relied on his understanding of local communities, terrain-specific engineering, and market trends to deliver transformative results. He has led numerous pioneering projects across India, including the Karwar submarine port and the Malanjkhand copper mine, bringing innovation to the core of project execution.
Alongside his industrial and philanthropic work, Mr. Prabhakaran is also a dual licensed private pilot, certified to fly both helicopters and airplanes, with over a decade of flying experience across aircraft including the Cessna-152, Cessna-172, and Pilatus PC-12. Such dual pilot certification is unique, making him one of very few in India to hold both licenses. Additionally, as an ode to his agricultural roots, he also manages a 200-acre coffee estate where sustainable coffee farming is practiced, reinforcing his personal commitment to environmental harmony and responsible land stewardship.
Mr. B. Prabhakaran leads with a unique blend of entrepreneurial excellence, social conscience, and grounded humility, showing that corporate success need not come at the cost of human or ecological wellbeing, and that real leadership uplifts not just industries—but entire communities.
