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Category: People

  • Honasa ropes in Yatish Bhargava as chief business officer to boost growth playbook

    Honasa ropes in Yatish Bhargava as chief business officer to boost growth playbook

    MUMBAI: Not every day does a personal care unicorn rope in an FMCG heavyweight to sharpen its business game—but when it does, the move smells as sweet as a bottle of onion hair oil going viral on Instagram.

    Honasa Consumer Limited, the parent company behind Mamaearth, The Derma Co., and Aqualogica, announced on 17 June 2025 the appointment of Yatish Bhargava as its new chief business officer (CBO). The decision signals a strategic gear shift for the fast-growing brand, as it seeks to scale both breadth and depth across general trade, modern trade, and online marketplaces.

    Bhargava steps into the role as a seasoned operator with over 17 years of experience. He brings P&L expertise and leadership acumen honed at some of India’s most influential consumer companies, including Flipkart and Hindustan Unilever. At Flipkart, he played a central role in category transformation and go-to-market strategies. At HUL, he led high-performing sales and growth teams across multiple verticals.

    His appointment takes effect immediately, with a full-time term. Honasa stated that Bhargava will be a designated senior management personnel (SMP) under SEBI compliance.

    In its regulatory filing with the NSE and BSE, Honasa underscored its intent to reinforce business scale, growth strategies, and sustainable momentum through Bhargava’s expertise. “Yatish has led category transformation, built scalable go-to-market strategies and driven sustained growth across diverse consumer businesses”, the company noted in its official statement.

    An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, Bhargava will be tasked with building on Honasa’s already expansive omnichannel approach while navigating the highly competitive D2C landscape.

    The announcement comes at a time when Honasa is increasingly eyeing market leadership across beauty and wellness categories, both online and offline. With Bhargava’s appointment, the company appears ready to play offence with stronger execution muscle and retail agility.

    The disclosure has been made available on Honasa’s official website.

  • Pizza Hut bolsters subcontinent leadership with Pranav Dahiya and Nazia Abidi; a fresh slice of finance and people power

    Pizza Hut bolsters subcontinent leadership with Pranav Dahiya and Nazia Abidi; a fresh slice of finance and people power

    MUMBAI: Pizza Hut is heating things up, not just in ovens but also in boardrooms. The popular QSR giant has reinforced its leadership recipe by adding two critical ingredients — Pranav Dahiya as chief financial & strategy officer and Nazia Abidi as chief people & culture officer — to drive the brand’s next phase of expansion across the Indian subcontinent.

    The move comes as Pizza Hut, part of Yum! Brands, ramps up its growth across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. With over 900 stores already dotting the Indian landscape, the brand now aims to stretch deeper into emerging markets while keeping its people strategy and financial spine razor-sharp.

    Dahiya steps into his new role armed with nearly 20 years of experience across finance, corporate banking and strategy. Prior to joining Pizza Hut, he served as Chaayos CFO, where he led strategic business planning, operational governance, sourcing, compliance and M&A. A banker-turned-boardroom tactician, Dahiya is set to lead Pizza Hut’s finance and strategy with a clear focus on long-term value and operational efficiency.

    Meanwhile, Abidi brings over a decade of HR firepower from high-growth consumer tech firms. At Cardekho Group, she led HR for southeast Asia and helped scale its fintech venture, rupyy. At Pizza Hut, she will lead the people strategy, with a mandate to champion talent management, employer branding and build a culture rooted in high performance and continuous growth.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Pranav and Nazia to the Pizza Hut leadership team. They join us at an exciting moment for the brand. With their leadership, we’re well-positioned to grow faster, lead smarter, and stay true to what matters – our people and our promise to customers”, said Pizza Hut Indian subcontinent MD Rohan Pewekar.

    With deep experience in consumer behaviour, scaling strategies and people-first cultures, the appointments reflect the brand’s ambition to stay ahead in the competitive QSR space, one leadership move at a time.

  • Bata laces up for change as Panos Mytaros steps in as new global CEO from 15 September 2025

    Bata laces up for change as Panos Mytaros steps in as new global CEO from 15 September 2025

    MUMBAI: The shoemaker is getting new boots at the top.

    The Bata Group has announced the appointment of Panos Mytaros as its new global chief executive officer, effective 15 September 2025. Mytaros will succeed Sandeep Kataria, who has led the company since 2020, guiding it through a stormy period marked by the pandemic and sweeping changes in the retail world.

    The leadership transition signals a new chapter for the nearly century-old footwear giant. Kataria exits after five years at the helm, during which he turbocharged Bata’s digital shift, modernised operations, and expanded the brand into fresh markets. His tenure laid the foundation for what the company calls its “next phase of growth”.

    “Panos is a proven leader with deep industry knowledge and a passion for footwear craftsmanship”, said Bata Group chairman Graham Allan. “His track record in brand building and developing compelling footwear collections, as well as in leading complex international organisations, made him the ideal candidate to guide Bata through our next phase of growth. We are delighted to welcome Panos to the Bata Group”.

    Mytaros brings over three decades of experience in the footwear and leather industry. He previously served as Ecco CEO from 2021 to 2024 and held multiple senior leadership roles at the Danish footwear brand before that. Known for balancing design with discipline, Mytaros is expected to drive Bata’s brand-led evolution across its global footprint.

    While Kataria’s leadership helped Bata navigate disruption and digitise its business core, the baton now passes to Mytaros, who inherits a leaner, more agile organisation poised to scale globally. The company has expressed its gratitude to Kataria for his contributions and extended a formal welcome to the incoming chief.

    With this change at the top, Bata signals that it’s ready to walk confidently into a new era—one foot in heritage, the other in innovation.

  • Pocket Entertainment names Umesh Bude as CTO to lead AI-powered storytelling revolution

    Pocket Entertainment names Umesh Bude as CTO to lead AI-powered storytelling revolution

    MUMBAI: In the world of audio-led content, Pocket Entertainment just rewrote the tech playbook. The company has elevated Umesh Bude to chief technology officer (CTO), tasking him with steering its ambitious journey into the future of AI-powered storytelling.

    The move places Bude at the helm of the company’s end-to-end technology strategy across all platforms—Pocket FM, Pocket Toons, and Pocket Novel. As CTO, he will lead efforts to craft intelligent, emotionally attuned user experiences by blending generative AI with scalable product design.

    “It’s a privilege to take on this responsibility at such an exciting time for Pocket Entertainment. I look forward to driving the next wave of innovation, where technology and AI are not just enablers, but storytellers in their own right”, said Bude.

    With nearly 20 years of experience across engineering, platform security, and data science, Bude has played a key role in scaling Pocket Entertainment’s tech infrastructure from scratch. His elevation underscores the company’s ambition to lead at the intersection of entertainment and machine intelligence.

    “We are at a pivotal moment in our journey where technology and creativity are deeply intertwined. As we reimagine storytelling for the AI era, technology is the foundation”, said Pocket Entertainment co-founder Prateek Dixit. “Umesh’s elevation is a reflection of our ambition to lead this transformation from the front. His leadership will be central to creating intelligent, emotionally aware experiences that push the boundaries of what storytelling can be”.

    Bude will continue reporting to Dixit as he leads initiatives to strengthen the company’s generative AI muscle, ensure seamless cross-platform integration, and pioneer tools that empower storytellers and users alike. With this shift, Pocket Entertainment reaffirms its commitment to turning code into creativity—one line, one story at a time.

  • Highway Roop drives in Dharmesh Arora as CEO to steer its global ambitions in auto components

    Highway Roop drives in Dharmesh Arora as CEO to steer its global ambitions in auto components

    MUMBAI: For India’s auto component sector, the race is heating up—and Highway Roop just brought in a serious driver. The newly-formed platform has named industry veteran Dharmesh Arora as its CEO, marking a pivotal leadership shift as it gears up for scale and global competitiveness.

    The appointment brings over three decades of expertise to Highway Roop Precision Technologies Limited, a merged platform of Highway Industries Limited and Roop Automotives Limited. Arora previously served as
    Schaeffler Group CEO – Asia Pacific and led Schaeffler India for seven years before that. His career journey began in 1986 as a product engineer at Maruti Suzuki, later spanning leadership stints at General Motors across supply chain and procurement.

    “We are excited that Dharmesh has joined as CEO of Highway Roop. He is a highly experienced professional who has a deep understanding of the automotive industry and brings decades of global experience in building and managing automotive businesses. Dharmesh will be focusing on accelerating growth, driving operational excellence, and leveraging innovation to deliver enhanced value for the Platform’s customers and strengthen its market position”, said Highway Roop non-executive chairman Mohit Oswal.

    With the Indian automotive ecosystem entering an electrifying phase—literally and figuratively—Highway Roop’s timing is sharp. The company manufactures forged and precision-machined components, steering assemblies, and transmissions for electric, hybrid and ICE-powered vehicles. Under Arora’s stewardship, the company aims to add synergistic assets and expand its footprint across global markets.

    “I am honored to join Highway Roop at such an exciting time for India’s automotive industry. The platform’s strong manufacturing capabilities, diverse product portfolio, and global customer base create a powerful foundation for expansion. I am looking forward to collaborating with the talented Highway Roop team to create long-term and sustainable value for its customers and stakeholders”, commented Arora.

    Backed by a rich legacy and a forward-looking product lineup, Highway Roop appears ready to shift gears. With Arora at the helm, the company is positioning itself to play a leading role in the evolving auto supply chain—where scale, sustainability, and speed will define who leads and who lags.

  • HCBS Developments ropes in Dimple Bhardwaj to fire up sales and brand buzz

    HCBS Developments ropes in Dimple Bhardwaj to fire up sales and brand buzz

    MUMBAI : HCBS Developments has brought in real estate veteran Dimple Bhardwaj as assistant vice president – channel sales, marketing and communication, adding serious firepower to its leadership lineup. With over 20 years in the trenches at Raheja Developers, Bhardwaj now steps into a pivotal role at HCBS to sharpen its brand, energise channel partnerships, and fuel growth in the Delhi NCR region.

    Bhardwaj’s résumé reads like a masterclass in real estate marketing. As head – channel sales, marketing and communication at Raheja, she drove integrated campaigns that boosted market visibility and reach. She’s also worn the general manager – marketing & communication hat, crafting multi-platform outreach across flagship projects.

    With a postgrad in PR and journalism from IIMAT, Chennai, Bhardwaj’s toolkit spans customer engagement, CRM, sales strategy, and brand storytelling — essentials in a market where perception sells before possession.

    HCBS Developments group managing director Saurabh Saharan said, “We are thrilled to have Dimple in our leadership team; her deep industry knowledge and proven leadership in high-impact real estate marketing align perfectly with our vision. Dimple’s addition to our team will not only accelerate our ongoing projects but also strengthen our connection with customers and channel partners alike.”

    Bhardwaj commented, “I am excited to join HCBS Developments at such a pivotal time in its journey. With over two decades of experience in real estate marketing and channel sales, I look forward to bringing strategic depth and innovation to the company’s outreach. My focus will be on driving meaningful customer engagement, strengthening our brand presence, and supporting HCBS’s long-term growth vision.”

    The move signals HCBS’s intent to not just build homes, but a future-ready brand that speaks louder, connects deeper, and sells smarter.

     

  • Bhumika Realty cements leadership with Avinash Nagpal as president–projects

    Bhumika Realty cements leadership with Avinash Nagpal as president–projects

    MUMBAI: Bhumika Realty has added serious muscle to its execution engine by naming industry stalwart Avinash Nagpal as president–projects. With over 27 years of bricks-and-mortar experience across India’s real estate and infrastructure giants, Nagpal steps in to steer project delivery with speed, precision, and cost smarts.

    Known for his boots-on-ground approach, Nagpal has led projects at top-tier firms including Trinity Landspace, Conscient Group, Emaar MGF, Mundra Port, and Punj Lloyd — climbing the ranks from deputy manager to senior vice president. From estimation tables to site trenches, he’s been in the thick of it, delivering complex builds on time and on budget.

    At Bhumika Realty, he’ll drive the entire lifecycle of development — from blueprint to brick — overseeing planning, structural execution, MEP works, finishings, and client handovers. His mandate: deliver faster, build stronger, and keep the bottom line lean.

    Bhumika Group CMD Uddhav Poddar said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Avinash Nagpal to our team. His vast experience in managing complex residential and commercial developments, coupled with his deep understanding of construction and project delivery, aligns perfectly with our vision of creating high-quality, timely-delivered spaces. We believe his leadership will further strengthen our execution capabilities and set new benchmarks across our ongoing and future projects.”

    Bhumika Group CEO Siddharth Katyal said, “Mr. Avinash’s deep expertise in project execution, technical leadership, and large-scale development management makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team. With his strategic approach and hands-on experience, we are confident he will play a key role in ensuring the timely and high-quality delivery of our projects, while further strengthening our operational excellence.”

    Nagpal said, “I am honoured to be a part of Bhumika Group and look forward to contributing to its forward-looking vision. With over 27 years of experience in managing large-scale developments, my focus will be on ensuring seamless project execution, timely delivery, and uncompromising quality. I am excited to bring my expertise to strengthen the project delivery framework and support the company’s commitment to excellence in every development.”

    For Bhumika, this is more than just a hire — it’s a concrete move to anchor its next chapter in operational excellence.

  • Arun Srinivas appointed as Meta India’s new country head and MD

    Arun Srinivas appointed as Meta India’s new country head and MD

    MUMBAI: From tea leaves to timelines, Arun Srinivas is now brewing strategy at Meta India. In a move that signals both continuity and elevation, Meta has announced the appointment of Arun Srinivas as its new Managing Director and Country Head for India. Already a key figure within the company, Srinivas will now oversee all business, innovation, and revenue priorities across the region cementing Meta’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.

    Srinivas joined Meta in 2020 and has since led its Global Business Group and Ads Business for India, steering strategic revenue levers like AI, Reels, and Messaging. In his expanded role, he will now unify Meta India’s core pillars to better serve the platform’s advertisers, partners, and users.

    With nearly three decades of experience under his belt, Srinivas has worked across marquee names like Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, Ola, and private equity firm Westbridge Capital. His past roles included launching Ola in London, leading Unilever’s food, skincare, and beverage verticals in South Asia, and investing in high-growth consumer brands during his stint at WestBridge.

    Meta’s leadership hopes the appointment marks a sharper, localised strategy in a market that remains one of its largest and most dynamic.

    “As we look ahead, we remain focused on building products that drive growth for our partners while driving innovation for the ecosystem,” the company stated.

    With Srinivas now leading Meta India’s charge, all eyes will be on how he blends deep-rooted brand-building wisdom with the platform’s global tech playbook and what that could mean for India’s digital future.
     

  • Canara HSBC banks on Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan to bowl over life goals

    Canara HSBC banks on Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan to bowl over life goals

    MUMBAI: In a move that fuses cricket, commitment, and couple goals, Canara HSBC Life Insurance has named India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and his wife, sports presenter Sanjana Ganesan, as brand ambassadors. The company aims to deepen its emotional pitch with consumers under its promise-driven campaign: ‘Promises Ka Partner’.

    The New Delhi-headquartered insurer announced the partnership, tying it to values of trust, consistency, and planning—traits mirrored both in insurance and the couple’s personal journey. Bumrah is exclusively represented by Rise Worldwide.

    “Life insurance, at its core, is a promise to stand by someone not just in the good times, but through every life stage”, said Canara HSBC Life Insurance CDO – alternate channels & CMO Rishi Mathur. “Jasprit’s consistency and quiet resilience mirror the trust our customers place in us. Sanjana brings with her a voice of credibility, and connection”.

    Bumrah echoed that sentiment, stating, “I believe that every promise you make — whether on the field or in life — comes with responsibility. Sanjana and I have always believed in planning ahead and supporting each other through every phase”.

    Ganesan added, “To me, being a partner means being dependable — not just when it’s convenient, but when it truly counts”.

    The insurer will soon launch integrated campaigns spotlighting the duo, aimed at engaging millennial audiences, young families, and India’s emerging affluent segment. The storytelling-led initiatives will showcase themes of responsibility, planning, and modern partnership.

    Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s messaging syncs neatly with the public personas of Bumrah and Ganesan. He is known for calm under pressure and she for grace and clarity in sports broadcasting. Together, they embody a contemporary couple planning with intent and showing up when it matters—just like the brand claims it does.

  • Baby & Mom Retail appoints Sucharita Reddy as CFO to scale growth with sharp financial stewardship

    Baby & Mom Retail appoints Sucharita Reddy as CFO to scale growth with sharp financial stewardship

    MUMBAI: As Baby & Mom Retail Pvt. Ltd. preps for a growth spurt across the Indian consumer landscape, it’s calling in seasoned financial muscle to keep things in check. The company has roped in Sucharita Reddy as its new chief financial officer (CFO) to lead its finance engine through a phase of ambitious expansion, operational rigour and digital transformation.

    Reddy, who brings over 15 years of experience across startups and large enterprises, has held leadership roles at Myntra Jabong, Amazon and EV startup Blusmart. Her deep expertise in finance, business operations and scalability will now power Baby & Mom Retail’s journey across baby care, skincare, pet care and home products.

    “I am excited to join Baby & Mom Retail at a time of rapid growth. My mission is to create a resilient and agile finance ecosystem that not only strengthens our foundations but also acts as a strategic enabler for business growth. Finance should go beyond compliance and control; it must empower decision-making, fuel innovation, and support sustainable scaling”, expressed Reddy.

    In her role, Reddy will steer the company’s financial planning, performance tracking and data-led decision-making. She will also focus on building a future-ready finance function that enables smarter inventory management, sharper customer acquisition, and scalable infrastructure—especially relevant as Baby & Mom Retail builds out its omnichannel and direct-to-consumer footprint.

    “Sucharita’s appointment aligns with Baby & Mom Retail’s vision of strengthening operational excellence while scaling smartly across omnichannel and D2C markets. Her experience at companies like Myntra Jabong, Amazon and BluSmart equips her with a nuanced understanding of inventory management, customer acquisition economics, and platform scalability, all crucial for a fast-growing consumer brand ecosystem like Baby & Mom Retail”, said Baby & Mom Retail founder & CEO Shish Kharesiya.

    Her leadership will also drive a finance culture built on ownership and accountability, where financial decisions fuel innovation as much as they guard the bottom line.

    This leadership move comes at a pivotal moment. Baby & Mom Retail has been expanding its brand portfolio with new launches like Corvell, a healthcare equipment label, and continuing growth across flagship offerings including Oyobaby, Newish, Amorite for pets, Redcop, Mattress Protector, and Gadda Co.

    The numbers may stay in spreadsheets, but the impact is set to show on balance sheets—and beyond.