People Movement

Cinépolis India appoints Ashish Shukla as head of exhibition
Cinépolis India announced the hiring of Ashish Shukla as head of exhibition. Ashish joins Cinépolis from his position as head infrastructure and development for Bharti Retail. As part of Bharti Retail, Ashish oversaw the business development in which he secured key retail locations for the brand. Prior to Bharti, Ashish was Chief Executive, PVR Cinemas where he served for over 10 years and was instrumental in executing the firms rollout and in piloting key initiatives for the business.

Raymond Ltd re-appoints Gautam Hari Singhania as chairman and MD
The present term of office of Gautam Hari Singhania as chairman and managing director of the Raymond Ltd expires on June 30, 2009. The board of directors of the company, at its meeting held on June 20, re-appointed Singhania for a further period of five years with effect from July 1, 2009. Further, Desh Deepak Khetrapal, chief operating officer of the company was appointed as additional director on the board.

Kelvin Coyle quits DLF Brands
Kelvin Coyle, managing director, DLF Brands has amicably parted ways with the organisation and has chosen to move on. Coyle had joined DLF Brands in 2007 as MD of the newly formed company. Timmy Sarna, former vice chairman, DLF Brands, is now the CEO. Originally from Manchester, UK, Coyle began his career at House of Fraser, UK in 1975.

Rajneesh Mahajan moves from C&W to Inorbit
Rajneesh Mahajan, executive director at Cushman & Wakefield India, has moved to Inorbit Malls India Pvt Ltd. He has been at C&W since 2004. Mahajan has a retail experience spanning over a decade. He has been employed with Turner Morrison Group and Barista. He has worked with clients such as Shoppers Stop, Westside, Reliance, Adidas, Nike, Blow Plast, Madura Garments, Raymond Apparel, Arvind Brands etc.

Ratan Jalan, former CEO- Apollo Clinic, starts own venture
Ratan Jalan, former CEO in the Apollo Hospitals Group where he set up a chain of The Apollo Clinics and The Cradles, has ventured on his own to establish a boutique healthcare consulting firm, Medium Healthcare Consulting Pvt Ltd. The company would focus on strategy, marketing, service quality and performance transformation. JAlan heads the company as founder and principal consultant. Sudhir Diggikar succeeds Jalan. For the last eight years, Ratan was the CEO of Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited, part of the Apollo Hospitals Group.

Kamal Gupta joins Carlton Overseas as CEO
April 14, 2009
In a major development, footwear retailer Carlton Overseas Pvt Ltd, part of Carlton London, has roped in Kamal Gupta as CEO of the company with effect from April 1, 2009. Gupta was earlier with Lilliput Kidswear as VP, Retail.

As part of his earlier project, Gupta was responsible for the planning, implementation and control of existing 200 exclusive Lilliput stores in India, 3 stores in China, 2 stores in the kingdom of Bahrain, 6 stores in Egypt, 200 shop in shops,1000 MBO through 35 distributors in India.

Brijesh Gaur joins Mahagun India as VP - marketting
April 24, 2009
In a recent development, Brijesh Gaur has joined Mahagun India Pvt Ltd as vice president - marketing. As part of his new assignment, he will handle the marketing and sales activities of the Group including branding, media and sales planning, brand promotions and business development. Gaur's appointment came into effect on April 15, 2009.

As part of his earlier project, Gaur served Today Homes and Infrastructure Ltd as general manager. Prior to this, he operated a consultancy firm in the name of Just Passion, a consultancy firm for shopping malls.

Hari Trivedi joins Naaptol as president
March 24, 2009
India’s premier comparison based social shopping portal naaptol.com has announced the appointment of Hari Trivedi as the president of the company with immediate effect.
Based in Mumbai, Trivedi will responsible for overall sales and marketing at naaptol, informed a company press release.

Trivedi who until recently spearheaded Aksh Optifibre as head of IPTV business and prior to that Times Internet as the national head for e-commerce, is acknowledged as an expert in managing retail, sales and software development for e-commerce.

Speaking on his appointment Manu Agarwal, CEO and founder, naaptol.com, said, "We are a growing company and we wanted someone like him to pace our operations and fulfill our ambitious targets.

"The online business in India has a scope to quadruplicate itself in 2 years. Being with Naaptol, I see myself as contributing to the overall growth of the e-commerce industry. I would like to go for a more innovative approach to double the current readers offers industry. It currently stands at 350cr per annum but my aim is to cross 1000cr in 2 years time from now," said Trivedi.

Anil Tumu quits Karuturi Global as promoter
March 24 , 2009
Bengaluru-based flower producer, exporter and retailer Karuturi Global has announced that the company has approved the exit of Anil Tumu from the promoter group of the company. The decision was taken by the board of directors of the company after its meeting held on March 23, said the company in its latest disclosure to Bombay Stock Exchange. This change in the promoter group will be effective from March 23, 2009.

The company further said in its disclosure that the development is based on the specific request made by Tumu citing personal reasons for not continuing as the promoter of the company.

It may be recalled that Tumu had opted not to get re-elected as the director of the company at the last annual general meeting of the company held on September 26, 2008.

The company currently operates 15 shop-in-shops in Bengaluru and two boutique stores, one each in Bangalore International Airport, Bengaluru and Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.

Gitanjali Gems’ executive director resigns
March 21, 2009
Gitanjali Gems has announced that Adrianus Voorn has resigned from the position of executive director as well as director of the company. According to company’s latest filing to Bombay Stock Exchange, Voorn put on is papers due to personal reasons.

Further, the filing added that the board of directors of the company has accepted Voorn’s resignation by means of circular resolution dated March 18, 2009.

With a growing retail presence, strong brands, improving product mix and an international acquisition strategy, Gitanjali Gems’s domestic jewellery business has well-known brands such as Nakshatra, Gili and D’Damas in its bouquet.

Coca-Cola India appoins new VP- strategy
March 04, 2009
Sangeeta Pendurkar has been appointed as VP - strategy at Coca-Cola India. Pendurkar earlier served HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd as chief marketing officer.

In her new role, she will be handling strategic planning initiatives and the international trade business and reporting to Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India.

Announcing the appointment, Atul Singh said, "We are pleased to welcome Sangeeta to the Coca-Cola family. India and South West Asia Business Unit has a huge potential as these markets are relatively underdeveloped."

"The per capita consumption of soft drinks is one of the lowest in the world here. We are at the threshold of a packaged beverage revolution. A right Brand, Price, Pack and Channel (BPPC) strategy will ensure that we further penetrate this market and fulfill the daily beverage needs of our consumers. Sangeeta will be a key resource, who would help us realise the potential by leading our Strategic Planning Function. Sangeeta has a rich and diverse experience in FMCG and retail banking, which she would be able to leverage in this assignment," added Singh.

Vaibhav Gems director resigns
March 02, 2009
India’s leading exporter of colored gemstones, Vaibhav Gems, has announced that Pulak Chandan Prasad has resigned as the director from the board of the company.

In a filing to Bombay Stock Exchange, the company has said that the resignation came into effect from February 28, 2009.

Vaibhav Gems has a fully integrated state-of-art plant in Jaipur, with an in-house design team and manufacturing set up covering the gamut from rough gemstones to polished jewelry ensuring different variety.

Polaris Retail appoints new CEO
February 26, 2009
Polaris Retail Infotech Ltd (PRIL), a specialist provider of IT services and end-to-end solutions across retail industry verticals, has announced Mohit Oberoi as its new chief executive officer. The appointment of Oberoi comes with immediate effect, according to company’s official statement.

Oberai is an industry veteran with over 20 years experience and has been associated with PRIL for over two years. He has been instrumental in shaping PRIL's growth in last two years while performing different roles.

Berger Paints director resigns
February 25, 2009
In a new development, Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia has resigned as a director of Berger Paints India Ltd. In a filing t Bombay Stock Exchange, the company has said that the resignation Ahluwalia has been in effect from February 18, 2009.

The company claims itself as country's third largest paint manufacturer and the second largest decorative paint player.

Headquartered in Calcutta, Berger Paints services the market through a distribution network comprising of 75 stock points and over 12,000 paint retailers.

Samsung India appoints new CEO
February 25, 2009
Jung Soo has been appointed as the new president and CEO of Samsung South West Asia operations and president and CEO of Samsung India Electronics Ltd.

Prior to his current assignment, Shin was head of marketing for the digital appliances business, Samsung Electronics. He assumed the new role on February 24, succeeding HB Lee, who was president and CEO for Samsung South West Asia between February 2007 and January 2009.

In his role as president and CEO of Sams ung South West Asia Regional headquarters, Shin will oversee the operations of all existing Samsung subsidiaries in India, namely Samsung India Electronics, Samsung India Software Operations, Samsung’s R&D centre, based in Bangalore as well as the company’s operations in the SAARC region.

Hanung Toys appoints new director
February 19, 2009
Hanung Toys & Textiles has appointed Chander Sekher Batra as an additional director on the board of the company.

Batra is chartered accountant by profession. The decision to appoint Batra was taken by the board of directors of the company at its meeting held on February 17, said the company in a filing to Bombay Stock Exchange.

Hanung Toys & Textiles, which sells about Rs 1 billion worth of toys in India, is the owner of Hanung Retail. HTTL and is reckoned internationally in the field of soft toys and home furnishings. The company owns Play-n-Pets and Muskan brands in stuffed toys and Splash in home furnishings.

Birla appoints new CEO for More supermarkets
February 16, 2009
In a major development, Aditya Birla Retail has appointed Satendra Aggarwal as the new CEO for its supermarkets chain — More, reports The Times of India. Earlier, Aggarwal was working with Pepsi India as executive director and was looking after its north India operations.

Industry sources said, the joining came at a time when the company is planning a revamp exercise for its `More' stores. With 660 stores under its wings spread over1.9 million square feet of retail space, the company currently has two hypermarkets and plans to take this up to 14 by 2010, adds the report.

Sanjay Coutinho joins Barista as the new COO
February 13, 2009
Barista Coffee has appointed Sanjay Coutinho as the new chief operating officer (COO) of the company for India. Prior to joining Barista Coffee Company Ltd he was working as the COO for Gravis Foods, formerly known as Baskin Robbins Franchise.

Coutinho joined Baskin Robbins in 2001 as a zonal manager, west and rose to the level of COO in a span of five and a half years. He has also worked with organisations like Pantaloons Retail, the pizza delivery chain Domino’s Pizza India, Jet Airways and the Ambassador’s Sky Chef.

BK Goenka promoted as new Welspun India CMD
February 03, 2009
Welspun India, a flagship company of Welspun Group, has promoted vice chairman and managing director BK Goenka as the chairman and managing director of the company, according to company's latest disclosure to Bombay Stock Exchange. The post was vacant after former chairman GR Goenka passed away in December 2008.

With an enterprise value of USD 3 billion, Welspun Group is one of the leading Indian business conglomerates with interest in retail. Currently, the company operates 250 Welhome stores under Welspun Retail and has recently launched its mobile retail format Wheel Home in home décor segment. The group is operational in over 50 countries in the world.

HUL announces new CFO
January 27, 2009
FMCG major Hindustan Unilever has announced R Sridhar as the new CFO of the company. The announcement came in after the vice chairman and CFO of the Mumbai-based company D Sundaram decided to retire from his current portfolio as well as the board of the company. His retirement will take place in July 2009, said a company press release.

Sridhar is currently serving as vice president, finance and controller, Unilever for Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.

Excel Home Videos appoints Roby Abraham as new CEO
January 07, 2009
Excel Home Videos, one of India's leading home entertainment companies, has announced the appointment of Roby Abraham as the new CEO of the company. The appointment is part of the expansion plans at Excel Productions Audio Visuals, which also owns Excel Interactive -- gaming company and India licensee for Electronic Arts and Disney Interactive Studios, recently launched toy brand My Baby Excels and movie retail biz Movies and More, according to a company press release.

MN Kapasi, managing director, Excel Group, said, "Excel Home Videos intends to extend its leadership position and further accelerate its growth into becoming a multi-platform for home entertainment services. Roby's extensive experience in the entertainment industry makes him the right person for the top job."

With 11 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Abraham worked with Megastar Home Entertainment, Excel Productions Audio Visuals, Thakral Home Entertainment and BMG Crescendo before joining the company.

Nokia appoints Shankar Subramanian as new retail director
January 06, 2009
Mobile handset major Nokia India has appointed Shankar Subramanian as the new retail director. He has replaced V Ramanathan who will now handle the position of director operative accounts in the company, according to a top company official.

Shankar Subramanian, retail director, Nokia India said "The decision was taken a couple of days back and it is great to handle the retail operation of Nokia. To make our operations even larger, we will concentrate on making the preferred destinations even more attractive for consumers. We will also be very careful with the assortment of promoters and partners."

As the retail director, Subramanian will be responsible for building the brand and supervising the administrative functions. He has served Nokia India for the past three years as director operative accounts and looks forward to strengthen his bond with the organisation.