Tag: CEO

Raymond onboards Sunil Kataria as CEO of lifestyle business

Mumbai: Raymond on Wednesday announced the onboarding of Sunil Kataria as CEO of lifestyle business. This new appointment comes at a critical juncture in Raymond’s journey as the fashion apparel space sees numerous international labels entering the Indian market, the company said.

In his new role, Kataria will be responsible for steering the next phase of growth by driving the digital agenda and strengthening the brand’s presence in domestic and international markets.

“At Raymond, we believe in having industry’s finest talent that resonates with our vision to create a ‘future ready’ organisation,” said Raymond Ltd chairman and managing director Gautam Hari Singhania. “During the last few years, we have been making stronger strides and creating brands and retail experiences for our loyal and new-age consumers. I would like to welcome Sunil to the Raymond family and believe that he would be instrumental in accelerating growth for the business in India and international markets.”

The lifestyle business is the flagship vertical of Raymond Group which includes branded textiles, garmenting, shirting, retail and apparel business including brands such as – Raymond, Raymond Ready-to-Wear, Raymond Made to Measure, Park Avenue, ColorPlus, Parx and Ethnix by Raymond.

During his earlier stint as the CEO of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, Kataria managed the business operations of India and South East Asia. He spearheaded the transformation of the business – driving performance and best in class financial results and building a great workplace. With a rich experience spanning over three decades, he has worked with eminent names such as Marico and Idea Cellular. Currently, he also serves as the chairman of The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA).

March 9, 2022
Shradha Agarwal named as Grapes CEO

Mumbai: Integrated marketing agency Grapes has elevated Shradha Agarwal to the position of chief executive officer. She takes the baton from Himanshu Arya, who will move to a more strategic role within Grapes.

Agarwal’s role will be instrumental in leading and expanding the business for the company while overseeing the overall operations, across the agency’s three offices in India – Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, said the company in a statement.

She will be based out of the agency’s headquarter in Delhi and will manage the overall business and operations of the company, it added.

“In 2015, Shradha joined me and we launched Grapes Digital, now Grapes, and since then there has been no looking back,” said Grapes founder Himanshu Arya, speaking on the appointment. “She has been key to the agency’s success. While leading the strategic planning function at Grapes, she has also been instrumental in laying down goals and the approach to both business and culture. Today our 200+ Grapes family comprises agile, eager and passionate performers. With Shradha taking the lead, her dedication and commitment will take us closer to the target of becoming a 500+ member strong team that will deliver path breaking creative solutions to drive huge impact for our clients.”

With over a decade’s experience, Agarwal has a deep understanding of providing strategic direction, and providing end-to-end solutions to clients, according to the agency.

Talking about her plans for Grapes, Shradha Agarwal commented, “I look forward to embarking on my journey as the CEO and taking Grapes forward to new successes. Together with my amazing team of young achievers, I hope to deliver more path breaking solutions and deliver immense value to our clients.”

March 8, 2022
Chris Licht to be head of CNN post WarnerMedia-Discovery merger

Mumbai: Discovery Inc has announced its plans to appoint Chris Licht as the new chairman and chief executive officer of CNN Global. The appointment will be effective following the completion of Discovery Inc’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, expected in early Q2.

Discovery expects that Licht will start at CNN in early May, after Discovery’s acquisition of CNN is complete. He will report directly to Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav.

Licht has spent more than 20 years in broadcast news and currently serves as executive vice president of special programming at CBS. He has created, led and strengthened award-winning news and entertainment shows and programming, including “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “CBS This Morning,” and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“I have known and admired Chris for more than 15 years and strongly believe he is the best person to lead CNN Global as part of Warner Bros. Discovery,” said Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav. “Chris is a dynamic and creative producer, an engaging and thoughtful journalist, and a true news person. He has more than two decades of broadcast experience across local, cable and national news. He has been in the field, in the control room and on the set. He is a highly principled individual who is trusted, hard-working and makes every organization stronger, more innovative, and more cohesive.”

“I’m honored to have this opportunity, especially at such an important time for our country and the world,’’ said Licht. “CNN has a rich and storied legacy and I both promise to uphold it and build upon it. I am eternally grateful to Stephen Colbert and the peerless Late Show team for an unforgettable run. I am looking forward to returning to my journalism roots.”

March 3, 2022
BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover resigns as MD and CEO

Mumbai: Ashneer Grover, the co-founder of financial technology firm BaharatPe has resigned from the company’s board as managing director and chief executive officer on Tuesday.

In his resignation letter, Grover said that he was forced to resign from the company by its investors.

Grover, in his resignation letter, wrote, “I am being forced to bid adieu to a company of which I am a founder. I say with my head held high today this company stands as a leader in the fintech world. Since the beginning of 2022, unfortunately I have been embroiled in baseless and targeted attacks on me and my family by a few individuals who are ready not only to harm me and my reputation but also harm the reputation of the company, which ostensibly they are trying to protect.”

“From being celebrated as the face of Indian entrepreneurship and an inspiration to the Indian youth to build their own businesses, I am now wasting myself fighting a long, lonely battle against my own investors and management. Unfortunately, in this battle, the management has lost of what is actually at stake – BharatPe,” he added in his letter.

Grover’s resignation came a few days after he lost an arbitration that he had filed against the company’s investigation against him, with an emergency arbitrator held that there was no ground to stop governance review at the firm.

Earlier in January, Grover went on a two-month leave of absence following allegations of using abusive language against Kotak Mahindra Bank staff and fraudulent practices, had filed an arbitration plea with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) claiming the company’s investigation against him was illegal.

Last week, Madhuri Jain Grover, the former operations head of BharatPe and wife of Grover was fired from the company.

March 1, 2022
Ambuj Narayan takes over as Taneira CEO

Mumbai: Taneira – the women’s ethnic wear brand from Titan – the Tata Group company has announced the appointment of Ambuj Narayan as chief executive officer. Narayan will spearhead the brand’s journey to drive exponential growth and establish Taneira as the key industry leader in the ethnic apparel segment.

With experience of over 25 years in sales and operations across retail and consumer durables industries, Narayan has been associated with companies like Metro Cash & Carry, Walmart, Whirlpool and BPL. He has been instrumental in achieving significant business turnarounds and transforming businesses into profitable entities through sustainable practices.

A Physics (hons) graduate from Delhi University, Narayan has completed his PGD in marketing management from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies in 1996 and Certificate of Business Excellence from University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business in 2017.

Speaking on his new role, Ambuj Narayan said, “I am thrilled to be a part of this young, dynamic brand – Taneira that has been committed to bring the best of India’s authentic weaves and crafts from across the country to present contemporary ensembles for the modern Indian women. The brand has been working closely with the rural karigars to upskill them, build exceptional quality products and has made its mark within a short span of time. I look forward to leading the strategic thinking and strengthening the brand value proposition, making Taneira the most loved women’s ethnic-wear brand in the country.”

Taneira was launched in 2017 to bring about innovation in the largely unorganised women’s ethnic wear category through differentiated designs from over 65 clusters in India.

February 25, 2022
Susanne Pulverer becomes Ikea India’s first woman CEO & CSO

Mumbai: Ingka Group-owned home furnishings retailer Ikea on Thursday announced the appointment of Susanne Pulverer as its first woman chief executive officer and chief sustainability officer for India. Pulverer, an experienced Ikea leader takes over from the outgoing India CEO Peter Betzel, who will move on to his next assignment within the Ikea Group.

Prior to her role as Ikea India CEO and CSO, Pulverer held the position of group business risk and compliance manager at the Ingka group. This is her third stint in India.

Pulverer joined Ikea in 1997 and has worked across different roles within the Swedish company. She started her Ikea journey as environmental manager for the Ikea Group and moved on to Ikea Sweden, where she held various roles in different business categories. She then moved to India in 2007 to head the purchasing function for Ikea South Asia during which she developed a strong connection and passion for India and its people.

Before joining Ikea India once again in 2017, she was the managing director at Ikea Communications, the in-house agency of Ikea, for five years during which she led the organisation through a major transformation to drive better business and people results. Pulverer, in her last role in India led market development for Delhi NCR, where she also drove the sustainability agenda and local community initiatives crucial to Ikea’s vision and mission to become a climate-positive business by 2030.

“I am excited to be back in India, as we are moving closer towards our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people. India is a prioritised market for Ingka Group,” stated Susanne Pulvere. “Peter and the team have done a truly commendable job of introducing Ikea in India as a purpose-led brand, expanding the omnichannel presence across cities, strengthening local sourcing and retail competence, and so much more.”

During his tenure in India, Peter led the Ikea India team through the journey of transformation and with his deep passion for people and business, steered Ikea in India during extraordinary times posed due to the pandemic.

“It has been an incredible experience being a part of the Ikea India journey. I am extremely happy to leave the baton in the capable hands of Susanne,” said Peter Betzel. “Her determined and strong leadership is a great inspiration for many of us. I am confident that she will lead our strong value-based India team to make the Ikea vision a reality for many people.”

February 24, 2022
Prasuma strengthens its leadership ranks, promotes Lisa Suwal to CEO

Mumbai: Momo brand Prasuma has announced the promotion of Lisa Suwal from chief growth officer to chief executive officer. At the helm of the company, Lisa will now oversee the fast-growing brand’s top-line, bottom-line, profitability, and overall management.

The daughter of Prasuma’s founder Mehendra Suwal, Lisa will also ensure that the company’s mission and vision are thoroughly implemented across its operations.

Having been the driving force behind the launch and resounding success of Prasuma Momos, she brings a wealth of FMCG, e-commerce, dynamic brand building experience, strategic insight, and passion to the CEO position. With strong people management skills and the ability to bring ideas to fruition, Lisa has been viewed as the right person to take the brand’s legacy forward.

“I am thrilled and proud to pass on the mantle of my beloved business to the most capable person I could think of. Coincidentally, she happens to be my daughter,” commented Prasuma founder Mahendra Suwal. “The time is right, the business is on the verge of being ripe. I wish her nothing but the best and am sure that with her leadership this business will reach heights that it has never seen before.”

This year, her first as CEO, Lisa looks forward to driving sales and distribution for the brand by onboarding more retail channels and partners while also unlocking strategic product diversification. In the next five years, she envisions Prasuma becoming a global food brand, bringing joy and nourishment to families, enriching lives with extraordinary food, said the statement.

“Creating categories and launching first to market innovations have been the hallmark of our business. We were (Prasuma) the first ones to bring fresh and chilled deli meats to India and I am proud to have been able to contribute to that tradition with the launch of India’s first and most loved frozen momo Blbrand,” said Lisa Suwal. “I am grateful for this opportunity as I know how valuable it is given the value that I know we will create. I look forward to the journey ahead, more mouthwatering, high quality products, more consumers, and definitely more consumer love. This is just the beginning!”

Launched in 2019, Prasuma Momos has an omnichannel model with distribution across 70 cities. In 2021, on the back of growing consumer demand, the brand’s distribution footprint almost tripled, increasing from 40 to 70 cities. Its retail presence went from 1000 to 5000 stores over the past year. Prasuma is available in all top modern retail chains as well as e-commerce platforms.

February 24, 2022
Smaaash Entertainment appoints Shirish Kotmire as CEO

Mumbai: Gaming and entertainment centre operator Smaaash Entertainment has announced the appointment of Shirish Kotmire as its new CEO.

Kotmire brings about three decades of experience in aggressive growth-oriented mature global companies as well as successful new ventures and start-ups. “He is a quintessential growth hack that demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit in all his endeavours with innovation, team building, professional work ethic and techno commercial savviness,” said the statement.

Based out of Mumbai, Kotmire’s immediate task will be to build a team of experienced CXO who shall anchor the transformation journey of Smaaash to create new benchmarks in this industry, the company said.

“We are elated to have Shirish Kotmire in our team at Smaaash, he has experience in marquee retail, technology brands, and promoter-driven ventures,” said Smaaash Entertainment founder and chief imagination officer Shripal Morakhia. “At 63, I worked hard to resurrect Smaaash in the last six months. It was high time that a professional leadership team took over to guide Smaaash to new heights. The appointment of Shirish as the CEO is the first step in that direction. With his vast experience in creating value across businesses we look forward to his leadership to deliver same store growths as well as execute the blitzkrieg of new stores expansion nationally”.

“I am honored and pleased to accept the privilege of heading Smaaash and strengthening the position of Smaaash as the fun, party, play, bonding and entertainment destination for informal friends’ groups, corporate and retail customers along with building digital engagement with them,” said Shirish Kotmire.

He added, “Our consumers have grown up on Smaaash over the last 11 years and have a strong affinity to the brand. In our second inning, we are giving a classy environment along with a potent combination of gaming-bowling, go-karting, arcade and VR games along with a pocket-friendly resto bar to relax after a tiring but fun gaming time. To build stickiness and exploit opportunities in the growing gaming space, we are on the cusp of introducing exciting innovative formats in the physical edutainment space also”.

Shirish holds a postgraduate diploma in Marketing from IIM Bangalore and did his graduation bachelor of technology computer engineering from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka. “With his vast skill set in monetizing assets by innovation in sales, marketing and technology it makes him the ideal choice as the CEO at Smaaash,” said the statement.

His previous companies in leadership positions include Reliance Retail GVK-Mumbai International Airport, Bharti Airtel, Rediff.com and Asian Paints, among others. The top skills which his seniors and colleagues acknowledge are business development, financial planning, business strategy, and execution as well as team management.

He is passionate about mentoring start-up co-founders as well as sharing his entrepreneurship leanings through skill-based courses as a visiting faculty in SPJIMR, Mumbai.

February 22, 2022
Amit Misra elevated to CEO of MSL South East Asia

Mumbai: Publicis Groupe on Tuesday announced the appointment of Amit Misra as chief executive officer, MSL South East Asia, in addition to his current role as CEO, MSL South Asia.

As part of his expanded responsibilities, Misra will drive MSL’s growth in the South East Asia markets, leading a team of 100 colleagues across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, along with 450 colleagues across 8 offices in South Asia. The elevation is in line with Publicis Groupe’s vision of fostering entrepreneurship within the Group’s strategic priorities, said the agency in a statement.

Misra, who has steered MSL India for more than eight years, will work to drive Publicis Groupe’s Power of One solutions in the South East Asian markets.

“Amit has taken MSL to greater heights year on year in India and South Asia. Amit leading the mandate for two regions will further leverage the Publicis Groupe’s Power of One model, with MSL being a true powerhouse offering scale and depth of services to our clients. I have no doubt that MSL South East Asia will reach unprecedented heights with Amit’s leadership,” said Amrita Randhawa speaking on the appointment.

Misra joined MSL India in 2013 and took over the India operations as CEO in 2015. Under his leadership, MSL India became a key contributor to Publicis South Asia’s growth, doubling revenues and emerging as the most awarded PR firm in India with 15 Agency of the Year wins, according to the agency. MSL India’s strong growth in recent years has been driven by its integrated communications offerings and it will continue to be the focus of the business under Misra’s leadership in South East Asia, it said.

“I am thrilled to have Amit join the APAC region in his expanded role,” said Margaret Key. “A respected industry leader, he has a deep understanding of these markets and has a proven track record of innovation and growth in the region. With his appointment, two strategic geographies in Asia have come together thereby unlocking incredible opportunities for MSL. I look forward to working closely with him.”

“At MSL, we get together the best of technology, content, creativity and digital prowess to deliver transformative ideas for our clients. MSL’s journey in South Asia over the last few years has been enriching and exhilarating at the same time and I look forward to taking my learnings to the expanded role,” stated Amit Misra. “This is a tremendous opportunity to create interesting synergies across geographies from the perspective of our clients and talent and I remain excited about our growth in Asia.”

February 15, 2022
Mohanraj J takes over as Duroflex CEO

Mumbai: Duroflex Group has announced the elevation of Mohanraj J as CEO of its omnichannel consumer brand – Duroflex. He takes over from Mathew Chandy who will now be serving as CMD of the group.

Mohanraj has been with the company for more than six years in various leadership roles and will now spearhead Duroflex’s growth and expansion in the coming years. In this new role, his responsibilities will span the thriving retail, e-commerce and D2C business of Duroflex, said the company in a statement.

Duroflex Group also houses Sleepyhead, its young & independent D2C brand and a growing B2B and export vertical. Each of these has a separate focus and leadership. Mohanraj will be leading as CEO for the Duroflex consumer brand.

“Duroflex Group has experienced tremendous growth in the past two years. Despite the pandemic-related chaos and market volatility, we are still on track to join the 1000cr club,” said Mathew Chandy. “Mohan’s influential and decisive contribution has helped Duroflex stay resilient and accomplish that goal. He’s been instrumental in building our leadership team and culture.”

Mohanraj has enabled Duroflex to achieve major milestones and led the company through a successful national expansion. He also shaped the company’s D2C foray and exponentially elevated the retail experience through company-owned and company-operated stores, said the company.

“Over the years, we have built a strong and loyal consumer base and to ensure that we continue to deliver on our commitments, I plan to leverage our customer-focused strategy, our sustainable operational excellence and company culture with the goal of taking Duroflex to new levels of success,” said Mohanraj J. “We will further expand on improving our customer experience with technology at the core and continue to build a culture that believes in people first.”

February 10, 2022