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Bhavesh Gupta, who served as the president and COO of Paytm, fintech firm of One97 Communications, has reportedly stepped down from his position. Gupta cited the reason to be personal.

As per Paytm's stock exchange filing, Gupta's resignation, which will be effective from May 31, 2024, will continue as an advisor in the CEO office, post May 31 or after his resignation is accepted. 

Gupta started his career at Apple finance and went on to work across Transamerica Apple distribution finance, ICICI Bank and IDFC Bank.

As the general manager and head - business banking at ICICI Bank, he was responsible for pan India product and business management of current accounts new acquisiton and existing book, transaction banking of current accounts, international trade business for MSME customers, business lending solutions like cash credit, overdraft, LC, Bank Guarantees etc for MSME customers and retail forex solutions.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/paytm-brand-value-deeply-eroded-faces-painful-road-ahead-to-regain-trust-say-brand-experts-22342.htm">Paytm brand value deeply eroded, faces painful road ahead to regain trust, say brand experts</a>

Paytm's president and COO Bhavesh Gupta steps down

Raymond Ltd.'s board re-appointed Gautam Singhania as Managing Director for a five-year term starting July 1, 2024. This decision comes amidst a highly publicised divorce settlement dispute with his estranged wife, Nawaz Modi-Singhania.


The move follows the removal of Ms. Modi-Singhania from the boards of three Raymond-linked companies in April 2024. The couple announced their separation in November 2023 and the settlement dispute has garnered a lot of attention.


Despite the personal controversy, Raymond Ltd. highlighted Singhania's past achievements and leadership qualities in the regulatory filing announcing his re-appointment.


“Gautam Hari Singhania is a commerce graduate from the University of Mumbai. Mr. Singhania took over the reins of Raymond Limited as Chairman & Managing Director in September 2000. He has been responsible for the strategic decision of restructuring the Raymond Group, initiating the divestment of its noncore businesses of Steel, Cement and Synthetics,” the filing statement said, “Post divestment, the Group has consolidated its position with a focused market-oriented approach. The group has made enormous progress under the stewardship of Mr. Singhania and his vision is to take the Raymond Brand from being amongst the most respected Indian brands to being amongst the best in the global markets,” it added. 


“With a drive for creating new Brands, Singhania has taken active interest in the launch of new products and is successfully directing the Group towards sustained growth. Under the leadership of Mr. Singhania, the Group has made a remarkable foray into Real Estate business,” the statement said.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/raymonds-sunil-kataria-elected-as-chairman-of-isa-15050.htm">Raymond’s Sunil Kataria re-elected as chairman of ISA </a>

Raymond re-appoints Gautam Singhania as MD amidst high-profile divorce fight

Sahib Singh, who led Unilever as a national account manager, has joined SLN Coffee as chief executive officer. In his previous role, Singh was responsible for account management and business delivery for more than 30 Modern trade customers including More retail, Vishal Mega Mart, Star Bazaar and Spencer's retail.

Singh started his career at Unilever as a business leadership trainee and held various roles in different capacities. As the head of e-commerce, Singh was responsible for setting the eCommerce channel for Unilever Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. He also worked on digital Route to Market solution for Unilever Russia.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hul-appoints-vipul-mathur-as-executive-director-personal-care-takes-over-from-madhusudhan-rao-30619.htm">HUL appoints Vipul Mathur as Executive Director, Personal Care</a>

Unilever's Sahib Singh joins SLN Coffee as CEO

Anurag Gupta, who led ada, a marketing company as chief operating officer, has joined Womb Communications as chief executive officer.

Gupta, who started his career at Ogilvy & Mather, went on to work across DDB Mudra Group, WPP and Wunderman.

As the chief growth officer - Asia Pacific, Wunderman, Gupta hacked growth through setting up e-commerce practice in Asia Pacific, new business acquisition in China, India, Indonesia and worked with regional clients to expand group footprint.

As the chief operating officer at WPP, his responsibility was to integrate more than 25 WPP agencies in the region to grow WPP’s business, provide thought leadership in creating innovative agency models, and enhance core creative product by integrating the creative, digital, insight and media agencies on WPP’s biggest brands.


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Womb Communications appoints Anurag Gupta as CEO

Priyanka Khaneja Gandhi, who led Colgate-Palmolive India as Director - Integrated Brand Experience Lead at Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd, has moved on from the company, Gandhi confirmed the development with Storyboard18. She stated, "The journey at Colgate-Palmolive has been nothing short of glorious." Her next move, as of now is unknown.

Gandhi began her career at Starcom Worldwide, and went on to work at Madison Communications.

In her role as the associate director & head - integrated marketing communication & e-commerce marketing, Gandhi oversaw creative, media and digital functions for the company & all its brands to develop & deploy communication/brand solutions. As part of the same role, Gandhi managed the overall planning and deployment of all advertising spend to ensure maximum effectiveness of the communication to deliver brand KPIs, in the most efficient manner.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hul-appoints-vipul-mathur-as-executive-director-personal-care-takes-over-from-madhusudhan-rao-30619.htm">HUL appoints Vipul Mathur as Executive Director, Personal Care</a>

Colgate-Palmolive India's Priyanka Khaneja Gandhi quits

Varun Sridhar, who led Paytm Money, the wealth management platform of One 97 Communications Ltd, as chief executive officer, has moved on from his position. Rakesh Singh succeeds Sridhar as the CEO. Previously, Sridhar was the CEO at FinShell India (FinShell - An OPPO Group Company)

Sridhar began his career at ConvergeLabs Software Technologies and went on to work across Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Value Partners, BNP Paribas and FinShell.

As the head of individuals at international retail banking, at BNP Paribas, his role was to lead key business development projects and have strategic oversight for ‘Individual’ clients (consumer banking) in - Ukrsibbank in Ukraine (~500 branches), BGZ-BNPP in Poland (~500 branches), TEB in Turkey (~600 branches). 

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/paytms-cmo-sumit-mathur-quits-to-join-glanbia-performance-nutrition-as-country-head-28265.htm">Paytm's CMO Sumit Mathur quits to join Glanbia Performance Nutrition as country head</a>

Paytm Money's CEO Varun Sridhar resigns

Pradeep Parameswaran, who led Uber as regional general manager - Asia Pacific, has been promoted as global head of Uber for Business, Business Development and Fleets. 

He said, "While Fleets and BD are long standing passions of mine within Uber, especially in the APAC region, I’m excited to take the Uber for Business reins from Susan Anderson, another APAC Uber alum, who is moving to another exciting new role within Uber, leading our growth thrust in Grocery."


According to him, "Uber for Business has launched strong solutions to help businesses and their employees go anywhere and get anything. In just the last year or so, the team has built products to elevate the business travel experience and invested in supporting our clients’ sustainability goals. We’ve forged deals with auto dealerships, logistics companies, airlines, healthcare orgs, and more. 
Today, Uber for Business works with 200,000 customers globally, including over 60% of the Fortune 500."

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Parameswaran added, "I am equally excited to build Uber's capabilities to be the best platform for Fleets on Delivery and Mobility, including Autonomous Vehicles. We are the largest demand platform globally for Rides and Eats. We are keen to leverage this platform to also make Uber a strong partner for small and large fleets who can scale fast, streamline operations and be profitable with Uber's support."

He started his career at Hindustan Unilever and went on to work across A.T.Kearney Dallas, McKinsey and Company and DEN Networks.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/fcb-ulka-names-hemant-shringy-as-the-new-cco-30574.htm">FCB Ulka names Hemant Shringy as the new CCO</a>

Uber elevates Pradeep Parameswaran as the global head - Uber

Special Olympics Bharat announces the appointment of V.K. Mahendru as executive director.

 
In his new role, Mahendru will oversee all aspects of the organisation and management, while also serving as a mentor. He has a B. Tech in Civil Engineering from PEC Chandigarh & subsequently acquiring a Diploma in Management. Mahendru began his career in ONGC as a Civil Engineer & held key positions such as Head, Corporate Sports, Head of Vigilance Department, Chief Corporate and Parliamentary affairs & finally as Executive Director, headed the regional office of Mumbai. 

 
V.K. Mahendru stated, "I am delighted to be appointed as the Executive Director of Special Olympics Bharat, an organisation extremely close to my heart. I am closely attached to sports and also to our Special Olympics athletes. I look forward to putting in my efforts, work, and efficiency that would lead towards the betterment and development of our organisation and our precious athletes.”

 
Mahendru comes with a background of experience in Table Tennis and Badminton during college education. In his capacity as of Head, Corporate Sports Division at ONGC between 2009 and 2014, he managed 22 disciplines, recruiting and grooming sportspersons. 


He has managed 400 National and international sportspersons including some cricketers such as Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Pankaj Advani (Billiards & Snooker) and Ashwini Ponnappa (Badminton) to name a few, with 30 sportspersons having won national awards. 

 
Mallika Nadda, President, Special Olympics Bharat, said, “Mr. V.K. Mahendru brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to our team. I am fully confident that his expertise, along with his capabilities and skills will further elevate the working of our organisation and the well-being of our athletes. We extend a warm welcome to him and greatly look forward to his upcoming contributions to Special Olympics Bharat.”


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/watch-listen/storyboard18-x-just-sports-i-why-are-brands-including-e-sports-in-their-sports-marketing-itinerary-132.htm">Why are brands including e-sports in their sports marketing itinerary?</a>

Special Olympics Bharat appoints VK Mahendru as executive director

FCB Ulka appointed Hemant Shringy as its new chief creative officer.

As chief creative officer, Shringy will be partnering closely with FCB Ulka CEO Kulvinder Ahluwalia to lead the FCB Ulka offices across the country. He will also be a key member of FCB Group India’s creative leadership, collaborating with leaders across agencies to continue to elevate the work across the network.

With more than two decades of experience, Shringy's influence inspires brands such as P&G's Ariel, Whisper, Gillette, Visa, WhatsApp and eBay to embrace distinctiveness, guiding them towards the pursuit of creative excellence, stated the agency.

On the appointment, Dheeraj Sinha, FCB Group CEO of India and South Asia, said, "Our focus on building a new-age agency demands fresh perspectives. At FCB, our goal is to unite top-tier creative talent and demonstrate that creativity serves as an economic multiplier. Hemant’s track record of delivering outstanding creative solutions, resulting in brand recognition and business expansion, positions him ideally as the creative helm for FCB Ulka."

"I'm so excited to join Dheeraj, Nitin, and Kulvinder, along with the entire team at FCB. I can't wait to create a great partnership with our clients that leads to creatively effective work. There is such tremendous work happening around the world, and I think when the right people come together, magic happens. I've seen it. And I have a great feeling about this,” added Shringy on joining FCB Ulka.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/havas-india-elevates-nikhil-guha-as-executive-creative-director-30505.htm">Havas India elevates Nikhil Guha as executive creative director</a>

FCB Ulka names Hemant Shringy as the new CCO

 
Priya Barve has joined WPP as India’s Client Lead for Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Barve brings over two decades of experience in advertising and marketing, and has held leadership roles with Google, Mondelez, and Leo Burnett across Asia-Pacific. She brings a rich and diverse perspective on communications and media, having worked on both - the agency and client side, as well as with tech platforms.

 
Barve is known for her insights and experience in consumer and digital landscape in emerging markets across Asia. Passionate about F&B, outside of work Priya is best known for having participated in MasterChef Asia in 2015. 


“A consummate professional, Priya brings a wealth of experience in aiding business success and digital transformation, as well as key local insights that needed to win in many Indias. HUL is one of WPP’s key clients, one with whom we have had the pleasure of working with for a number of years,” said WPP Chief Client Officer for India, Shubha George. 
 

“We are delighted to see Priya joining the team to lead such an important client relationship and look forward to driving further business growth and innovation together with Unilever,” George added. 
 


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