Mr. Pillai is the Manager for Business Development in the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, Ltd. (KSIDC), the Development Bank of the Government of Kerala, in India. He established the business development wing of KSIDC to identify and assist entrepreneurs in setting up industrial projects in Kerala State. Mr. Pillai's primary interest is in project appraisal, especially project proposals for under developed regions. Mr. Pillai has also served as a private management consultant.

He holds a B.Tech. degree in Chemical Engineering (1974) from the Indian Institute of Technology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (1979) from the Indian Institute of Management.