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Tag: Sibaji Biswas

  • Sony Pictures locks in media veteran for five-year run

    Sony Pictures locks in media veteran for five-year run

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has secured Gaurav Banerjee as managing director and chief executive officer until August 2029, cementing a five-year tenure that shareholders rubber-stamped at the company’s annual general meeting on 25 August.

    The appointment, effective since August 2024, regularises Banerjee’s position after he joined as an additional director the same month. He stepped into the hot seat last year, replacing NP Singh in a changing of the guard at India’s entertainment behemoth.

    Shareholders also waved through the elevation of general counsel Ritesh Khosla and chief financial officer Sibaji Biswas to whole-time director roles, with five-year terms kicking in from December 2024 and February 2025 respectively. The trio’s appointments follow the Companies Act’s stringent governance requirements, with statutory filings confirming none hold shares in the company or maintain family ties with existing board members.

    The moves come as Sony Pictures Networks India, which trades under the Culver Max Entertainment banner, seeks to fortify its leadership team amid intensifying competition in India’s Rs 1.8 trillion media and entertainment sector. The company operates a stable of 28 television channels spanning genres from news to entertainment, alongside its streaming platform SonyLiv.

    Financial results for FY24 underscore the scale of Banerjee’s mandate: the company clocked revenues of Rs 6,511 crore with net profit hitting Rs 840 crore. Subscription income of Rs 3,206 crore marginally outpaced advertising revenues of Rs 2,825 crore, reflecting the industry’s ongoing pivot towards direct-pay models as traditional advertising faces headwinds.  For Banerjee, the extended tenure offers breathing room to execute long-term strategy in a market where rivals are splashing billions on content and technology.

  • SPNI appoints Sibaji Biswas as chief financial officer

    SPNI appoints Sibaji Biswas as chief financial officer

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India has announced the appointment of Sibaji Biswas as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective the first week of January 2025. In this role, Sibaji will lead SPNI’s financial strategy, planning and corporate finance, to enhance operational efficiency and growth across the company’s multi-channel and digital platforms.

    With over two decades of financial leadership and expertise in strategic transformation, Sibaji has a proven record of delivering growth and driving innovative solutions. As CFO and executive director at Syngene International, a Biocon Group listed subsidiary, he has played a key role in its growth where revenues doubled, and market cap nearly tripled in the last five years. During his tenure, he drove supply chain and digital transformation in the business for optimising operations, futureproofing the business and enhancing efficiencies.

    Sibaji’s career highlights include a 12-year tenure at Vodafone, where he held pivotal roles such as CFO of Vodafone Romania, EVP of corporate development, and head of procurement. As part of Vodafone’s senior leadership team, he contributed to strategic growth initiatives in India and other markets. His previous role as head of corporate finance at Hutchison India saw him collaborating with its distinguished leadership team, shaping innovative finance strategies that propelled the company’s expansion.

    Sony Pictures Networks India MD & CEO Gaurav Banerjee stated, “Sibaji’s financial expertise and strategic approach make him a strong fit for SPNI’s leadership team. His experience in building operational efficiency and navigating complex financial landscapes will be valuable as we strengthen our brand and enhance the viewer experience. We look forward to his contributions as we enter this next phase of growth.”