Gunupati Venkata Krishna Reddy, also referred to as GVK, is the Founder Chairman and Managing Director of GVK Group. a Hyderabad-based infrastructure conglomerate. He set up India's first independent power plant in Andhra Pradesh, in 1997. GVK was also the first to develop a brown field airport in Public Private Partnership model. In one of the most significant achievements, GVK's CSIA Terminal 2 was inaugurated at the hands of Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The new T2 is home to India's largest public art programme, in the form of a 3 km multi-story Art Wall, illuminated by skylights, that has over 7050 pieces of artwork & artefacts from Maharashtra and also every region & corner of India. In yet another major achievement, GVK's Bengaluru International Airport has been renamed as Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru and a new terminal was inaugurated. With these two major airports being operational, GVK is set to expand in airport business both in India and abroad.
Early life and career
He was born on 22 March 1937 in Kothur village of Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. He did his basic schooling from Kothur, early college from Nellore and graduated from Hyderabad. He later pursued Owner/President Management Program from Harvard Business School, USA. GVK Reddy has been bestowed with the honorary title, "Doctor of Philosophy" by the renowned Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India. Reddy is also a sports enthusiast and has been consistently encouraging and nurturing budding young sporting talent. Mr. Reddy has set up a tennis academy for youth in Hyderabad.
Business career
Reddy entered into the business starting with the construction of Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the world's largest masonry stone dam at the time of its construction, was built across the river Krishna in Nagarjuna Sagar. Reddy acquired majority shareholding in Hotel Banjara, a four star hotel and became the managing director and completed the project by 1976–77. Collaboration with Holiday Inn marked his entry into the hospitality business. He also incorporated Novopan India Limited, being the first company in India to bring the Pre-laminated Particle Board Technology to manufacture Plain and Melamine Faced Particle Boards.
Awards and recognition
Awarded Padma Bhushan - the third highest civilian award of India in 2011.
"Construction World — Man of the year 2011" award by Construction World.
"Best First Generation Entrepreneur of the Year 2010" award under the India Business Leaders Awards instituted by CNBC-TV 18.
Conferred "Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2009" from Economic Times.
Under his leadership, GVK won the "Most Promising Infrastructure Company of the year 2009"award by KPMG.
Excellence Award at the International Telugu Cultural Conference held at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Telugu Association of Malaysia.
Felicitated by The Telugu Literary and Cultural Association, US.
Conferred Life Membership of the World Telugu Federation, Chennai.
