With a degree in Business Management from the College Loyola in Chennai, Aqeel Panaruna went on to work for his family’s company in 1984, after which, in 1995, he founded the Florence Shoe Company Pvt Ltd, where he is currently both the President and Managing Director.

Previously the Vice President of CLE and now the acting President of the Council, Aqeel Panaruna also covers several prestigious roles in the most important organisations: he’s a member of the managing committee of FIEO – the Federation of Indian Export Organisations; member of the board of governors of FDDI-Footwear Design&Development Institute; and director of the LSSC-Leather Sector Skills Council. He is also a member of the executive committee of the following associations: All India Hide&Skin Tanners and Merchants Association; Indian Finished Leather manufacturer and Exporters Association; Indian Shoe Federation and South India Shoe Manufacturers Associations.

In an interview for the Council’s site, the newly elected President stated that he was confident in the possibility that the sector could reach “new heights, notwithstanding the difficulties of global markets, which can be overcome”, strong also from the growth forecasts made by the International Monetary Fund for India’s economy in 2019 and 2020: +7.5% and +7.7%.

“Our main priority over the next two years – declares Aqeel Panaruna – will be aimed at making the implementation of sustainable production models easier, increasing productivity, innovation, and design, and undertaking a series of marketing activities on a global level, in order to open new trade routes up in traditional and potential markets”.