Category: Regulators

Mumbai: Kintree, India’s only Free Family Tree Social App designed to help families connect virtually and explore connections beyond immediate relations, has added muscle to it with the appointment of IIM Ahmedabad Alumni, Vikram Lad who had worked with consumer facing businesses like ZEE Entertainment International, Disney STAR, Chingari in the past. As the co-founder & chief operating officer, Lad will help the firm to further expand it in the social entertainment space focusing on family trees along with marketing, sales, operations & investor relations.

Lad has 18 years of strong track record in the media and entertainment industry. He is an Alumni of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, and his professional career has been highlighted by noteworthy accomplishments and contributions in a variety of leadership positions. He has played a key role in scaling each of the businesses to boost valuation, revenue, P&L management, growth, and marketing.

Welcoming Lad on board, Kintree Private Ltd. founder & director Iftikhar Khan said, “We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Vikram Lad as a Co-Founder & COO of Kintree.  He will undoubtedly keep the business expanding and aid Kintree in reaching its pinnacle. With his creative approach, innovative thinking, and in-depth knowledge of the sector, we want to carve out a bright future for the business. Vikram’s expertise, business acumen, and connections in the sector, in our opinion, will be a guiding force for Kintree.”

On his appointment, Lad said, “I’m glad to be a part of KINTREE, the only family tree app that focuses on connecting families and build meaningful relationships in a secure environment.  of Family group messages in Secured Social App environment.  Working with start-ups and MNC’s in my previous roles, I’m looking forward to the roller-coaster journey with Kintree. My primary focus as Co-Founder & COO will be on creating programmes that drive the business’ expansion. In a dynamic digital media landscape, I am confident that working together, we will open up new opportunities, spur innovation, and forge deep connections.”

Kintree’s dedication to excellence and innovation in the field of Family Social Network is strengthened by the addition of Lad to the team. His experience will be crucial in fostering the company’s future expansion and success. Taking advantage of its positive momentum, Kintree has increased its hiring efforts and recruited a number of new employees for its key teams, including technology, product management, customer service, and others. The fresh talent will give Kintree additional energy to maintain its upward trajectory.

Mumbai: Former Diageo India CMO Deepika Warrier has joined Bajaj Auto as its head of marketing. She was with Diageo India for three years and stepped down as CMO in June this year.

She announced her move through a LinkedIn post: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Marketing at Bajaj Auto Ltd!”

Prior to Diageo, Warrier was CEO and MD with NourishCo Beverages Ltd. ( a Pepsico-Tata Global Beverages JV).

She also worked with the consumer products brand Pepsico in various leadership capacities for 20 years and is an advisory board member for Social Alpha, a development platform for science and tech innovation start-ups.

Mumbai: Howden, the global insurance group, has announced the appointment of Amit Agarwal as CEO, Howden India, effective 1 August. Agarwal takes over the reins from Praveen Vashista, the former CEO, who will now step up to the position of Chairman. Agarwal’s appointment underlines Howden India’s ambitious growth plans and aspiration to be a leading broker in one of the world’s fastest growing insurance markets by 2026.  

Under Agarwal’s leadership, Howden India will continue its drive for innovation and the expansion of its product offering, and will continue to embed local expertise in India for the benefit of its clients. It will execute on this strategy by attracting top industry talent through an empowered and employee-owned culture that allows its people to build a business for the long-term.

Howden founder & CEO David Howden said, “Ever since we commenced operations in India in 2004, Praveen’s leadership has been constant and loyal. He has grown the business, recruited a talented team and helped to build a leading insurance broker in the country. I thank him for his unwavering support, and know that he will lend his invaluable expertise and guidance to support Howden’s ongoing success and expansion initiatives as Chairman.”

International Growth Markets CEO Sonia Caamaño commented, “Amit’s appointment as CEO underscores our commitment to investing in top talent and local expertise to better serve our clients. His vast knowledge of the Indian insurance market and strategic vision aligns perfectly with Howden’s global objectives and we know that we are primed for the next stage in Howden India’s growth story.”

Agarwal brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in insurance brokerage. Having held significant leadership positions in the insurance sector, his appointment reflects Howden’s commitment to delivering exceptional client solutions and strengthening its position as a leading player in the Indian market. Agarwal joined Howden India in 2019 as a Managing Director and led its Liability & Specialty Risks practice. Prior to this, Agarwal held the role of Director for four years in JLT’s Financial Lines and Credit & Political Risk team in Mumbai. He has also held roles with Marsh and UIB.

Agarwal said, “As I take the reins from Praveen, I would like to thank him for establishing Howden’s strong foothold in the Indian insurance market. India presents a dynamic and ever-evolving insurance landscape, and our focus will be on driving growth, enhancing customer experience, and contributing positively to the development of insurance industry in India. Our employee owned business model is a critical differentiator in attracting the best talent from the market. It aligns the goals of our colleagues with that of the firm and drives them to deliver exceptional services to our clients.”

Howden India received its trading license in 2004 and now employs over 300 people operating across offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune and Hyderabad.  As the sixth largest broker in the country, it has built a strong reputation as a specialist commercial insurance broker in key product lines including Liability & Specialty, Agriculture, Health & Benefits, Aviation, Property & Construction, and Reinsurance.

In 2022, Howden announced it had obtained Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approval to increase to 100 per cent its stake in Howden India, reflecting the company’s commitment to build a leading broking business in the country that fosters long-term partnerships with clients and focuses on investing in people and data and technology.

Mumbai: AI-driven mobile and web advertising platform, Globale Media, has appointed Ahmed El Gebaly as the regional head of the MENA region. At Globale Media, he will be pivotal in making critical decisions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. With digital penetration skyrocketing in the Middle East and North Africa, newer horizons will lead to more exciting opportunities in digital marketing. Ahmed has more than seven years of experience in the finance and digital marketing industries and has previously worked with some well-known international organisations.

Globale Media founder and CEO Bhavesh Talreja said, “We are super excited to continue our growth in MENA. With Ahmed El Gebaly’s appointment as the regional head, we mark an important milestone in our journey to bolster our global vision. Ahmed holds extensive experience working within rapidly scaling organizations and digital marketing and advertising technology.”

Ahmed said, “The MENA region is full of opportunities to explore especially the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area where it has the highest purchasing power parity all over the globe, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). I’m looking forward to making Globale Media one of the leading and biggest networks in the region that can be trustworthy amongst all the digital marketers and clients too.”

Mumbai: Luxury Ride, a one-stop destination for the most opulent range of pre-owned luxury cars, has onboarded Himanshu Arya as the co-founder & CEO of the company. With the announcement the company eyes to overhaul the entire structure as a tech-enabled automobile company. 

Coming with ingenious business planning acumen, Arya will be reimagining the pre-owned luxury car ecosystem. Having gained expertise in the start-up ecosystem over the years in the industry, he is adept at gauging the trends in the market. His trailblazing experience will contribute to steering Luxury Ride toward building a strong stature in the market.     

With the vision to make pre-owned luxury cars accessible, the company has embarked on the journey to make Luxury Ride a leading company in the market. In the process, the company strives to provide an end-to-end technology-driven ecosystem for building a strong value chain that is aimed at elevating the experience of the customers at every stage of buying or selling. 

Speaking on the occasion, Luxury Ride co-founder & MD Sumit Garg said, “The pre-owned luxury cars have made a lot of ripples in the automobile industry in recent years. It comes with a lot of potential to offer the ultimate opulence to customers at a reasonable price. Therefore, to create a niche for pre-owned luxury cars, we welcome Himanshu Arya to maneuver the dynamic terrain proficiently. Bringing his rich experience in technology, marketing, finance, and business to the table, we are committed to scaling the offerings and services for our valued customers.” 

Elaborating on the same, Luxury Ride co-founder & CEO Himanshu Arya said, “With the customers becoming tech savvy riding the digital bandwagon, it becomes imperative for the companies to adapt themselves to the perennially changing market trends. As we at Luxury Ride were already backed by technology, we decided to tailor it and streamline it more efficiently for being a frontier in leveling up the game of the entire pre-owned luxury car industry.”

Mumbai: Responsible and memorable hospitality group Tamara Leisure Experiences (TLE) announces the elevation of Manoj Mathew as senior vice president – operations. Having worked for over three years as vice president – operations, Mathew has fortified and enriched all facets of the company’s operational endeavours. Under his adept leadership, the implementation of best practices has culminated in elevated guest experiences across all properties.

An industry veteran with over 38 years of experience, Mathew has consistently surpassed guest expectations through his exceptional leadership and the unwavering dedication of his teams. In his new capacity, he will retain oversight of the operations function while embracing additional responsibilities, including spearheading upcoming unit launches. His ardor for the industry is evident through active engagements with esteemed organizations like SKAL International, Bangalore, and Karnataka Tourism Society. 

“We are delighted to announce the promotion of Manoj Mathew to senior vice president – operations. His remarkable leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the success of Tamara Leisure Experiences,” said Tamara Leisure Experiences CEO & director Shruti Shibulal. “With his rich industry experience and a keen eye for enhancing guest experiences, we are confident that he will continue to excel in his new role and drive our organization to greater heights.”

Beyond his professional achievements, Mathew is known for his adventurous spirit as an avid traveller, passionate nature lover, and an ardent disciple of global cuisine. His ability to balance professional commitments with personal interests reflects his dedication and zest for life.

Mumbai: Tresa Motors has appointed Vinod K Dasari as the chairman of the board. Vinod’s vast experience and exemplary track record in the automotive sector make him the perfect choice to lead Tresa Motors into a promising future. 

At the company’s helm, Dasari will spearhead the company’s strategic direction, drive innovation, and foster synergies within the organisation. With his extensive domain expertise, he will play a pivotal role in reinforcing Tresa Motors’ position as a leader in the electric trucking business.

“We are thrilled to welcome Vinod K Dasari to the Tresa Motors family,” said Tresa Motors founding CEO Rohan Shravan. “His remarkable accomplishments and profound insights in the automotive sector make him a critical resource for our growth journey. We are confident that under his leadership, Tresa Motors will reach new heights of success, delivering innovative EV solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Dasari’s illustrious career boasts key leadership positions at renowned companies, including his tenure as the CEO of Royal Enfield, CEO and MD of Ashok Leyland, and his significant contributions as the president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2015 to 2017. His wealth of experience and successful stints have earned him admiration and respect across the industry.

Expressing his gratitude,Tresa Motors chairman Vinod K Dasari said, “I am deeply honored to join Tresa Motors. Tresa Motors has established itself as a dynamic force in the automotive sector, and leveraging Indian engineering and innovation to participate in the global markets. I am excited to be a part of their journey to redefine the future of mobility.”

“I look forward to contributing my knowledge and expertise to drive Tresa Motors’ growth, innovation, and sustainability endeavors. Together, with the talented team at Tresa Motors, we will strive to create value for all stakeholders and continue to push the boundaries of automotive excellence,” Dasari added. 

Vinod K Dasari will assume his new role at Tresa Motors with immediate effect, and the company is eager to witness his transformative leadership and usher in a new era of success.

Mumbai: Omnicom Media Group India has announced the elevation of Deep Singh as its National Head of Strategy. Deep ascends to this position from his successful stint as PHD India’s Strategy Lead since Feb 2021. 

Fortifying OMG’s strategic firepower in the market, in his new role, Deep embarks on a collaborative journey with the Group and its CEOs and chief growth officer to deliver on ambitious growth targets and pitches for new business opportunities. A key focus will be the wide-scale adoption of Omni’s product suite – Omnicom’s precision marketing and insights platform, to deliver outstanding business outcomes. Having demonstrated his astute decision-making skills and acumen at PHD, Deep will now be tasked with addressing the strategic requirements of OMD and PHD India’s key clients, leveraging the agency’s future-facing offerings to help clients unlock new potential and building a strong, strategic foothold for Omnicom Media Group in the market while working with key stakeholders to simplify the complex.

This appointment adds to a series of strategic elevations within the organisation, further exemplifying the Group’s steadfast commitment to driving growth for its people.

Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise, Deep will also be pivotal in establishing OMG India as a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of strategic innovation. Deep has over 17 years of experience in the fields of advertising, media, brand, process consulting and teaching. Before joining PHD, Deep was leading the Strategy product at Mindshare for its North and East regions, where he steered the blueprint for illustrious brands like GSK, PepsiCo, Unilever, Dyson, Pizza Hut, KFC and Urban Clap. He has also lent his expertise over the years across roles at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide and Elephant Design. 

Deep said, “I am excited to take on this role and help accelerate OMG India’s strategic footprint. Agility and strategic superiority are paramount in maintaining a competitive edge and I’m keen on leveraging these frameworks to meet the growing needs of the marketplace. My focus will be on leading the organisation’s strategic initiatives and ensuring that we navigate the areas of emerging possibilities to deliver scalable business solutions and growth for us and our clients.”

Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Pranav Kapur as vice  president, account management. Kapur has a wealth of experience in marketing and  communications, which he brings to this new position. 

As an integral part of the team, Kapur will report to Atin Wahal, executive director at L&K  Saatchi & Saatchi, and play a pivotal role in spearheading the development of brand and  business solutions in an integrated approach.  

Kapur’s past experience as associate vice president at BBDO Worldwide, coupled with over a  decade of delivering successful brand solutions across diverse industries such as Automobile,  BFSI, Alcobev, and FMCG, has positioned him as an invaluable asset to the agency. He has  made a significant contribution to well-known brands like Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki Motorcycles,  Ford India, Videocon, HDFC ERGO, Jack Daniels, and KFC. 

Commenting on Kapur’s appointment, Wahal said, “We warmly welcome Pranav to the ever growing team at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. We are delighted to have him onboard at such a high  point, marked with great wins and amazing work by the agency. I believe Pranav will perfectly align with our core belief of ‘Our Clients’ Business is our Business,’ as he aims to become a valuable business partner to our clients. His extensive experience across various categories  and domains will undoubtedly benefit our clients tremendously.” 

Kapur stated, “I firmly believe that brands require not only agencies but also business growth  partners. L&K Saatchi & Saatchi exemplifies this philosophy every day with their integrated  offering of ‘Power of One.’ I am thrilled to collaborate with Atin and Paritosh to further fuel the growth of L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, an agency that is already making significant strides.”