Dr Somasundram is an internationally respected captain of industry and noted philanthropist. His illustrious career and public office spans several decades. In 1967 he was elected as a Senator and was tasked with several functions, including representing Malaysia at the 1968 UN General Assembly.

He is also the first Indian Chairman of a floated firm in Malaysia and in 2007, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the former President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, which carries the title Padma Shree.

He was appointed to the Board on 9 April 2003 and has been a promoter as well as Chairman of Premium Vegetable Oils Sdn Bhd since 1992. He joined the National Land Finance Co-operative Society Limited (“NLFCS”) as a Plantation Manager in 1960 and rose in rank and finally came to helm the post of General Manager of NLFCS in 1974.

In 1984, he was appointed its Chief Executive Officer. Presently, he is the Executive Chairman of NLFCS and he holds directorships in several private limited companies. Dr Somasundram was awarded a PhD in Education from Newcastle University in August 2000.