Datuk Dr Vinod is the youngest child of Tan Sri B.C Sekhar and Puan Sri Sukumari Nair. His late father was the former Rubber Research Institute chairman, affectionately known as Mr Natural Rubber, who revolutionised the nation’s rubber and palm oil industries. Datuk Vinod who has been deeply inspired by his father’s ideals and values, regards him as his biggest influence in his life.

Datuk Vinod embarked on his first business at the age of 21 where he started the Vincent Siefer Clothing Co while he was still a student in the United States studying molecular biology.

In 1990, Datuk Vinod formed and became the CEO of the STI Group – businesses include the world’s smallest optic engine, the first circular abrasive discs, Southeast Asia’s first commercial Internet company, first virtual reality companies in the US, among others. 
After the Asian Financial crisis, in 1997, his company STI merged with other international interests and PETRA Group was formed, named after Datuk Vinod’s eldest daughter.
Through his vision and leadership, PETRA Group has today expanded its global footprint in the area of sustainable technologies, infrastructure, agriculture, lifestyle, media and news, research and advocacy. 

As a strong advocate for social capitalism, Datuk Vinod believes that business interests and societal concerns should go hand in hand, which acts as the basis of the PETRA Group. He believes that enterprises should be run as profitable ventures while doing the right thing for stakeholders and the environment, ensuring sustainable wealth creation. 

For his contribution to society and the nation the 10th King of Malaysia, Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman conferred on him a “Datukship” on the occasion of His Majesty’s’ 71st birthday. Datuk Vinod was 26 years old and one the youngest in the nation’s history to be so honoured.

• 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders by The Inner Review Magazine in 2022
• Person of the Year by Asia One Magazine in 2021
• Global Leadership Lifetime Achievement in Social Capitalism in 2018
• The Vinod Sekhar Incubation Centre (VSIC) at Nottingham University, Malaysia in 2016
• Global Visionary Leader of the Year by the American Leadership Development Association and Leaders International in 2015
• Community Leadership Award by Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in 2010
• Green Leadership and Social Capitalism at the 5th Middle East Business Leadership Award in 2014
• Leadership Excellence in Green Technology and Innovation to Green Rubber c/o Petra Group in 2014
• Top 3 of the 40 “New Asian Leaders” by World Economic Forum
• Global Indian Origin Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Business Leaders of Indian Origin
• Outstanding Global Entrepreneur by the SME Association
• The Societe Award from the Asia Pacific Brand Foundation
• The Chambers of the GCC’s (Gulf Cooperative Council) leadership award for Technology and Social Capitalism – Pravasi Divas award by the NRI Institute in India
• Malaysian Corporate Leader of the Year by Grant Thornton in 2008
• The first Asian to receive the prestigious Global Green Award from Global Green USA for Green Rubber in 2008
• Honorary Doctorate for Business Innovation, Lim Kok Wing University, 2007
• One of the top 40 “New Asian Leaders” by World Economic Forum in 2003
• Awarded the Key to the city of Armenia by the Mayor, Columbia, 1999 – Decorated with the medal of “Plan Padrino” by the First Lady of Columbia in his contribution towards the education of underprivileged students, 1999
• Made the first and youngest Asian fellow of Kappa Delta Pi, a US-based international Honors Society for Education in 1991
• “The Point of Excellence” award by Kappa Delta Pi, 1991
• Named by Forbes as the 16th richest man in Malaysia for two consecutive years, in 2007 and 2008.
• The Harvard Business Review published a case study on Vinod, PETRA and Green Rubber in 2009 – a rare privilege accorded to a Malaysian.