Royal Society of Chemistry Names Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi to Lead India Operations

India: The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has appointed Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi as Managing Director for India and South Asia, the organisation announced on Thursday. The move aims to strengthen the RSC’s long-term engagement with the region’s expanding chemical sciences community and deepen

partnerships across academia, industry and government.

Dr Sarvasiddhi joins the RSC after serving as Managing Director, India Research Business, and Chair of the Board of Springer Nature India. In his new role, he will oversee the RSC’s strategic direction across India and South Asia, building on its established presence and collaborations with universities, research institutions and policymakers.

The RSC said the region plays a critical role in the global chemical sciences landscape, citing its leading research institutions, skilled scientific workforce and growing innovation ecosystem. The organisation plans to continue supporting researchers through publishing, professional development programmes and cross-border collaborations aligned with its mission to create a more open, green and equal future.

Dr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, incoming Managing Director for India and South Asia, said: “I am honoured to be joining the Royal Society of Chemistry at such an exciting moment. India and South Asia are home to extraordinary scientific talent, and the region’s contributions to global chemistry are only growing. I look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place, working closely with world leading institutions and researchers to further strengthen partnerships, expand opportunities, and support the community in driving forward impactful chemical science.”

Welcoming the appointment, Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the RSC, said: “India and South Asia are essential to the present and future of the global chemistry community. The region’s researchers and institutions consistently demonstrate world-class excellence and an ambition to use chemistry to tackle society’s biggest challenges. This exciting appointment reflects our commitment to supporting that vision, and to ensuring that the Royal Society of Chemistry continues to enable the chemical sciences to make the world a better place.”

The RSC said it remains committed to advancing chemical sciences through open access publishing, global networks and inclusive initiatives. With a worldwide membership of 60,000, the organisation stated it aims to expand its impact in India and South Asia under Dr Sarvasiddhi’s leadership, supporting research that addresses health, environmental and societal challenges.