He is the founder and chairman of the RP Group with an estimated net worth of US$2.5 billion. RP Group's core business is Infrastructure and construction in the middle east (which he started in 1978). Their activities span other areas like real estate development, hotels and hospitality, healthcare, information technology etc.
He has a degree in Commerce from Cochin University. He was also bestowed an honorary doctorate from Excelsior College, New York.
He was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Government of India in 2008.
In 2010, he has honoured with Padma Shri the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
Ravi Pillai is married to Geetha. They have two children, a son Ganesh Ravi Pillai, and a daughter Dr. Arathi Ravi Pillai.
