Abhishek Poddar, President UPASI

Abhishek Poddar has been elected as President of The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) for the year 2026-27 at the Annual General Meeting of the Association held on Wednesday, at Coonoor.

Poddar is the Managing Director of Matheson Bosanquet Enterprises Pvt Ltd, having interests in the growing and manufacture of tea. He is also the Chairman of Sua Explosives, which manufactures industrial explosives for the mining industry.

Poddar is a prominent art collector and patron of the arts in India. He has been collecting art since high school and has created a significant collection of South Asian art, craft and antiquities including modern and contemporary art and photography.

Poddar is the Founder-Trustee of Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), a Bengaluru based Museum and a unit of Art & Photography Foundation.

Anil Mathew, Executive Director-Plantations, A V Thomas Group Companies, has been elected as Vice President of UPASI for the year 2026-27. He is a seasoned plantation industry professional with 35 years of diverse experience in India. His professional exposure extends across a wide range of plantations crops including tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and pepper.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Mathew has been actively involved in industry leadership and representation. He is presently an Executive Committee Member of UPASI, the Association of Planters of Kerala and Planters Association of Tamil Nadu. He also served as Chairman of Tea Trade Association of Cochin and represents AVT in the Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Published on September 23, 2026