CXO Lanes

Jai Pancholi has joined S K Finance Limited as the Chief Risk Officer (CRO), bringing with him over two decades of experience in credit risk, underwriting, portfolio management, partnerships, and policy leadership across some of India's leading financial institutions. In this new role, he will lead the risk strategy and governance framework, strengthening the company's approach to financial prudence and regulatory compliance. Jai Pancholi has previously held senior leadership roles at Hero Fincorp , ICICI Bank , and HDFC Bank . At Hero Fincorp, he was part of the leadership team as Head- Risk & Policy - Retail, where he oversaw key areas such as retail policy, partnerships, portfolio, retail hindsighting, scorecards, and finance analytics. He also headed the risk and policy division for wheeled and inventory finance during his four-year stint.His work was instrumental in aligning the company's risk strategy with its growth in the retail lending segment. Before Hero Fi...

Global compliance-centric cybersecurity services provider SharkStriker named Ajay Nawani its CEO. Nawani took the helm with a proven track record of 29 years of transformative leadership and expertise in cybersecurity. With his immense experience, he will be spearheading SharkStriker toward its mission to bridge the cybersecurity and compliance gaps of businesses worldwide. As a Director of Sales Engineering at Sophos , he carved new benchmarks in the global adoption of network, endpoint, cloud, and email security solutions alongside MDR and incident response services, working directly with channel partners to elevate the delivery of their solutions. Through successful customer collaborations, he helped them solve complex security challenges, partnering with the product engineering team to refine offerings as per the evolving cyber threat landscape. He simplified cybersecurity through a clear and thorough understanding, nurturing trust and innovation. As a Vice President at Cyberoam...

Bhasker has taken on an new leadership role as the Chief Operating Officer at Falnest Relocations , bringing with him over 18 years of distinguished experience in relocation, supply chain operations, and express logistics. Joining Falnest Relocations in April 2025, Bhasker is set to drive innovation through tech-enabled solutions, sustainable packing practices, and customer-centric mobility experiences. He will also be responsible for revenue generation and P&L management, aligning business growth with operational efficiency. Prior to joining Falnest Relocations, Bhasker served as General Manager at Reliance Retail , where he spearheaded initiatives in express logistics and supply chain management for over two years. His earlier tenure at Writer Corporation spanned nearly 16 years, during which he held multiple senior leadership roles including Deputy General Manager and Supply Chain Leader for India, Head of SIOP, and Head of India Business & Supply Chain Management. His expe...

Vaishali Gupta has joined SNRG Electricals Pvt Ltd as the new Head of Human Resources! With more than 15 years of rich experience spanning various industries like IT, manufacturing, and telecom, Vaishali is set to bring a treasure trove of strategic insights and a people-first approach to her new position. As a results-oriented HR professional, Vaishali has earned a stellar reputation for her excellence in talent management, organizational development, and leadership empowerment. Her career has been defined by a strong dedication to aligning HR strategies with business objectives, streamlining people processes, and nurturing high-performance cultures in fast-paced environments. Vaishali holds a solid academic background with a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and a Master’s in Technology, allowing her to blend technical know-how with genuine human empathy in her leadership style. She’s also a published author of "Advanced Database Systems," which highlights her analytical...

Yogesh Joshi has joined RICO Auto Industries Ltd. as Associate Vice President – Corporate R&D, bringing over two decades of experience in engineering excellence, product innovation, and operational transformation. His career spans significant roles at well-known companies like Best Group , UFI , Anand Group , Sona Group, & Hero Group. Yogesh’s expertise lies in new product and process design, product lifecycle management, and leading agile product development initiatives Yogesh's professional journey includes impactful roles at several prominent companies. He began his career with Hero group and later played a pivotal role at Sona & BEST group , where he spent long association contributing to core engineering and development functions. His tenure at Sona & Best Group laid a strong foundation in automotive product design and process optimization, establishing his reputation for delivering value through innovation and structured program execution. His short stints...

Rajendra Prasad has joined Apothecon Pharmaceutical as Associate Vice President – Quality Assurance, bringing over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. Throughout his career, Rajendra has held significant leadership roles at several esteemed companies, including Refex Group , Jubilant Pharma Limited , Sun Pharmaceuticals , and VVF Science. His role at Refex Group involved serving as Associate Vice President and Head of CQA, where he led the organization's efforts in quality assurance across a broad range of sectors. At Jubilant Pharma, Rajendra directed quality initiatives across multiple units such as API, Nutraceuticals, Life Science Ingredients, Specialty Chemicals, Oral Solid Dosage, Nutrition & Health Solutions, Crop Protection, External Manufacturing, and R&D. His tenure at VVF Science also saw him strategizing global corporate quality and compliance, with responsibility for seven plants across India and international locations...

Sandeep Nair M . has joined Lockton as Senior Vice President – People Solutions. With decades of experience in the insurance and banking industries, he brings extensive expertise in driving growth, building client relationships, and optimizing insurance portfolios. Throughout his career, Sandeep has been adept at identifying opportunities, negotiating favorable terms, and implementing innovative strategies to enhance business performance. His proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and cultivating loyal client bases has helped him build a reputation as a strategic and results-oriented professional. Before joining Lockton, Sandeep held prominent roles at Howden Insurance Brokers , Medi Assist , and HDFC ERGO General Insurance . As Vice President at Howden Insurance Brokers, he managed a diverse portfolio of clients, providing tailored insurance solutions while conducting market analysis to identify growth opportunities. His ability to negotiate favorable terms with insurance c...

Bheemanappa Manthale (Bheem) has joined Herbalife as the Vice President to Product Operations, India. In his new role, Bheem will oversee Herbalife’s day-to-day product supply and operations in India, ensuring the highest standards of quality, reliability, availability, and cost efficiency. He will also be leading continuous improvement projects and driving strategic transformation initiatives within Herbalife’s product operations ecosystem. Bheem brings with him more than two decades of rich experience in the food, beverage, and nutrition industries. Over his 24-year-long career, he has held senior leadership positions across leading global companies like Cargill and The Coca-Cola Company . Prior to joining Herbalife, he served as President of Operations and Supply Chain at Parag Milk Foods , where he led manufacturing and supply chain operations for three state-of-the-art plants, four co-pack locations, two world-class dairy farms, 29 depots, and over 3,000 distributors across Ind...

Congratulations to Kiran Jadhav , Associate Director at Kaizen Institute South Asia , for receiving the Global Consultant of the Year (COTY) award at the 22nd Global Business Meeting & Annual Awards in Tokyo, Japan!This honour, announced on Day 5 of the international event, comes during the Kaizen Institute’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, held in the birthplace of KAIZEN™ — adding historic significance to an already remarkable recognition. Over his nine-year journey with Kaizen Institute South Asia, Kiran has consistently driven impactful transformation across sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and banking. His expertise spans people and change management, project and strategy deployment, TPM, and supply chain optimisation. Kiran thanked Mr. Antonio Costa, CEO - Kaizen Institute Global and Mr. Vinod Grover, MD - Kaizen Institute South Asia & Africa for the inspiration that has helped him succeed. This award reflects not just individual excellence bu...

Harpreet Singh has joined Sterling Hospitals as the AVP and Facility Director, bringing with him nearly two decades of dynamic experience in hospital operations, facility management, and strategic healthcare leadership. His appointment marks a pivotal move for Sterling Hospitals as it continues to strengthen its administrative leadership across its network in Gujarat. Over the course of his extensive career, Harpreet has contributed significantly to renowned healthcare institutions such as Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, and Paras Healthcare &Medanta. At Fortis Healthcare, he led multifaceted roles, including General Manager and Business Partner – Sales & Marketing, where he played a crucial role in managing cost structures, profitability,managing International Operations& growth from various countries and Institutional growth across regions. His earlier stints at Max Healthcare and Medanta saw him excel in sales, marketing, and institutional collections, building high...

Sona Hadkar has joined  Unilight Insurance Brokers Private Limited as Head – Employee Benefits. Sona brings with her a distinguished career spanning several decades in the fields of employee benefits insurance, human resources, and training within the insurance and financial services sectors. Prior to joining Unilight, Sona has led the Employee Benefits vertical at GlobeSecure Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. (formerly IndiaNivesh Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.), where she played a pivotal role in enhancing corporate insurance offerings and driving strategic growth in employee benefits solutions. In her new role, she will focus on guiding organizations and their employees through the complexities of insurance programs while optimizing benefit structures to align with evolving workforce needs. Her expertise is underscored by previous leadership roles at esteemed organizations including the IndiaNivesh Group, HSBC InvestDirect (India) Limited (formerly IL&FS Investsmart Limited), and IL...

Rajesh Lakhani has been appointed as the Regional Managing Director for India, Middle East and Africa at SID Global Solutions . Bringing with him decades of experience across technology, cloud infrastructure, and service delivery, Rajesh has built a proven track record in leadership roles at Wipro , Lenovo , and Kyndryl India . Based in Mumbai, he is set to drive SID Global Solutions' strategic expansion across key markets, building on his expertise in sales, presales, managed services, and alliance management. Prior to this appointment, Rajesh served as Deal Maker at Kyndryl India, where he focused on enabling growth through large, long-term strategic engagements. He spent over seven years at Wipro Limited as General Manager and Head of India Sales – Cloud Infrastructure Services. Earlier, at Wipro Technologies, he held senior leadership positions such as Head of Client Solutions and Client Engagement Manager, successfully leading large-scale deals and fostering long-term custome...

Sunny Agarwal has been elevated to Chief Financial Officer – Healthcare, Americas, at Wipro , marking a significant milestone in a career that spans decades in the finance domain. Over the past one deacde at Wipro, he has held a variety of strategic leadership roles, including Head – COE and Pricing, CFO – Wipro Nordics, and CFO – Manufacturing Europe. His contributions have consistently driven value across regions and verticals through advanced analytics, financial governance, and transformative pricing strategies. Sunny's track record of excellence extends to his earlier roles at Infosys and Idea Cellular Ltd , where he built a solid foundation in revenue forecasting, compliance, and strategic financial planning. His analytical acumen and ability to deliver high-impact solutions have been instrumental in winning major deals and improving operational margins. As a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, his professional qualifications underscore his commitment to financial ...

Bhranti Patel has been elevated to Partner at Euphoria Consulting , a strategy consulting and organizational development firm with offices in India, UAE, and Canada, offering transformative solutions with a global perspective. With nearly two decades of hands-on experience in learning and organizational development, executive coaching, and leadership facilitation, Bhranti has been a driving force behind many of the firm’s most transformative initiatives. Her deep understanding of human behavior and leadership development has helped shape the growth strategies of several global clients. Bhranti’s journey in the learning and development field began with a strong academic foundation. She holds an advanced certification in behavioral sciences from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) , one of India’s premier institutions. Her approach combines deep reflection with strategic action, making her leadership programs not just insightful but also results-driven. Over the years, she has...

Sanket Deodhar has been appointed as the Area Vice President & Country Head for India at Anaplan . With a career spanning over two decades across sales, customer success, and leadership, Sanket brings with him a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of the Indian enterprise technology landscape. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading Anaplan’s operations, driving strategic growth, and enhancing customer outcomes across the country. Prior to joining Anaplan, Sanket held several key leadership roles at SAP , where he spent over a decade. Most recently, he served as Vice President - Sales, Head - Digital Native & TATA Group Business at SAP India. In this role, he led the strategic engagement and digital transformation initiatives for some of India’s most prominent conglomerates and high-growth digital enterprises. His experience in building long-term customer relationships and delivering business-aligned technology outcomes has been central to his professional s...

Susheel Ogra has been appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer at Health Biotech Limited . With a career spanning nearly four decades in the pharmaceutical sector, Susheel brings a wealth of strategic marketing and business leadership experience to the organization. In his new role, he will lead the company’s marketing initiatives across multiple therapeutic segments including gynecology, critical care, nephrology, orthopedics, and infertility. His mandate also includes driving customer retention strategies and strengthening Health Biotech’s footprint across India and Nepal. Susheel's professional journey reflects a consistent record of driving brand growth, market expansion, and innovation. At Gland Pharma Limited , where he served for nearly a decade in multiple leadership roles including Assistant Vice President and Senior General Manager – Sales & Marketing, he was instrumental in steering four high-performing divisions with a combined annual revenue of ₹150 crore. He has...

India’s footwear industry is at a critical inflection point. As the second-largest producer and third-largest consumer of footwear globally, we possess the scale and demand to lead the international market. Yet, for years, our progress has been hampered by dependence on imports, outdated machinery, and fragmented supply chains. The time has come to shift from being a low-cost manufacturer to becoming an innovation-driven, globally competitive hub for sports footwear. At Viney Shoetech Pvt. Ltd. , we have committed ourselves to leading this transformation. Since launching operations in September 2024 under the Viney Equity LLP group, we have been focused not only on manufacturing sports footwear, but on fundamentally reimagining how footwear should be designed, developed, and delivered in the modern era. Our operations span end-to-end functions—from product conceptualization to on-ground execution—powered by a clear vision and a technology-first approach. India’s footwear and allied i...

Neeraj Mahajan has taken charge as the Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board at Uniproducts (India) Limited , marking a pivotal moment for the organization’s growth trajectory. Neeraj’s leadership journey spans over 3 decades across OEM & top-Tier-1 companies such as Toyota Kirloskar , Minda Corp, JTEKT India , GENAVCO L.L.C.- Dubai & AWRostamani Group- Dubai. Neeraj has also consulted Leading PE Funds on Strategy Formation & Business Growth. Neeraj brings with him a formidable blend of strategic vision, M&A, NBD and operational excellence and in past 12 year as CXO, he has turned around multiple businesse. Neeraj is known for setting up the direction and then perusing it tirelessly to achieve the Organisation’s objectives through team development and Japanese PDCA approach. His expertise in crafting and executing robust strategies across manufacturing, automotive, and engineering verticals positions him well to steer Uniproducts (India) Limited into a new ...

Joining Maveric Systems in its 25th year is both a personal milestone and a strategic opportunity . As I step into the role of Director and Regional Head for UK & EMEA, I find myself at the intersection of industry evolution and organizational ambition. Over the last two decades of partnering with global financial institutions across the US, UK, Europe, and APAC, I have seen the sector shift dramatically—from the birth of internet & digital banking to the emergence of AI-driven, hyper-personalized customer experiences. Today, the banking and financial services industry stands at a pivotal inflection point. Disruptive technologies, evolving regulatory mandates, geopolitical shifts, and competitive pressures from digital challengers are pushing institutions to rethink how they create value and deepen customer relationships. “Digital transformation” may be a buzzword, but its significance is undeniable. Initially focused on digitizing customer touchpoints, the next phase is ab...

Mr. Radhakrishna Battu has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Artihcus Global. Based out of Hyderabad, Mr. Battu brings over a decade of experience in enterprise technology, financial systems, and global service delivery to his new role. His appointment marks a significant step in Artihcus Global’s journey as it continues to expand its footprint in technology-driven consulting solutions. An engineer by training, Mr. Battu holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master’s degree in Information Technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His career began in the United States, where he worked on several impactful public sector IT initiatives, including a financial reconciliation system for the Florida Department of Parks and Recreation and development projects for the Department of Environmental Protection. He also held a key technical role at Autocar Indiana, contributing to vehicle configuration systems. In 2018, M...

Suman Pariyar has been appointed as the new Director at SGN Software Private Limited , bringing with him over two decades of multifaceted experience across the global IT and ERP landscape. With a distinguished career built across renowned firms such as Accenture in India, YASH Technologies , SEAL Consulting Inc , and Coconut Softwares Pvt. Ltd., he is set to lead SGN Software’s strategic direction, business operations, and growth initiatives from its Mumbai headquarters. His appointment signals a major step forward in the company's long-term vision for expansion and innovation in the ERP and enterprise solutions space. Throughout his journey, Suman has consistently demonstrated excellence in business development, particularly in managing large enterprises and public sector undertakings (PSUs). As Country Manager at YASH Technologies, he led business growth across India, ASEAN, and Africa for over 12 years, establishing cross-border partnerships and enterprise solutions. Prior t...

Sandeep Pillai is all set to take on an exciting new role as Assistant Vice President - Learning & Development at APAC Financial Services Pvt. Ltd . Known for designing and executing impactful learning strategies, Sandeep brings extensive experience in talent development and leadership enhancement across various industries, including Luxury Real Estate, Retail, and Logistics. In his previous roles, Sandeep successfully led the Learning & Development function at Isprava Vesta Pvt. Ltd. , focusing on building high-performance learning frameworks aligned with business goals. At Reliance Retail , he drove role-readiness programs and innovative learning solutions, enhancing team efficiency across multiple geographies. His journey also includes significant contributions at Mahindra Logistics , where he developed leadership development frameworks and strategies for addressing skill gaps effectively. Sandeep’s approach to learning emphasizes practical, real-world application, creati...

CA. Harpreet Singh , a seasoned BFSI leader with over 22 years of diversified experience in the banking and financial sector, has joined FinX Learning as Head – Programs & Certifications. In this new role, Harpreet S brings diversified expertise in banking and financial services, specializing in MSME, corporate financing, credit risk management, portfolio management, and leadership development. Having worked with reputed banks and large-size NBFCs, he is now spearheading into the fintech education space. His move signals a bold step toward enhancing professional learning and development programs for capacity building and co-creating employment opportunities in the banking and financial services domain, supported by digital ecosystems. Before joining FinX Learning, Harpreet S served at YES BANK for more than twelve years, where he held several key leadership roles—most recently as National Credit Manager – MIB & Agri Commodity. Prior to that, he was President & Vertical Cr...

Mr. Abinash Mishra has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Key Managerial Personnel at Visaka Industries Limited , effective April 14, 2025. A stalwart in the building materials industry, Mr. Mishra joins the NSE-listed company with an ambitious mandate to steer the next phase of growth and innovation across Visaka’s diverse portfolio. An alumnus of IIT Bombay and Olin Business School, and currently a PhD candidate at IIT Patna, Mr. Mishra brings with him an impressive legacy of over 27 years across leading organizations such as Holcim India , Pidilite , JK White Cement , ACC Cement , and most recently, Captain Steel. His leadership journey has been defined by bold business transformations, breakthrough product innovations, and a relentless focus on sustainability and customer-centricity. Prior to joining Visaka, Mr. Mishra served as the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Captain Steel, where he spearheaded the company’s diversification into future-forward verticals like p...

Gaurav Gupta has joined Euphoria Consulting as Partner, marking an exciting chapter in the firm’s growth journey. With a distinguished career spanning over 23 years, Gaurav brings a wealth of experience in HR transformation, business strategy, executive coaching, and organizational development. His appointment signals Euphoria Consulting’s continued commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions in people and organizational transformation across industries. Prior to joining Euphoria Consulting , Gaurav served as India CHRO at DNEG , where he spearheaded large-scale HR and cultural transformations, implemented Workday across global offices, and designed future-ready frameworks for talent architecture and mobility. He played a key role in launching high-impact initiatives around DEI, mental health, and leadership development. Under his leadership, DNEG witnessed a significant reduction in attrition and a sharp improvement in employer branding and employee engagement metrics. Gaurav al...

In an exclusive conversation with CXO Lanes , Mr. Rijo Murali , Director of Strategic Alliance & Growth at Reed & Willow , unpacks the evolving dynamics of talent acquisition in India and the UAE—and how his team at Reed & Willow is redefining recruitment as a strategic growth lever rather than a transactional service. Can you elaborate on your role as Director of Strategic Alliances & Growth at Reed & Willow and the key objectives you aim to achieve in the Indian and UAE markets?​ Rijo Murali: As Director of Strategic Alliances & Growth at Reed & Willow, my core responsibility is driving expansion across the Indian and UAE markets by fostering key partnerships and identifying scalable growth opportunities. I specialize in talent acquisition strategies, ensuring organizations have access to high-quality workforce solutions tailored to their evolving business needs. My focus is on leveraging data-driven insights, optimizing workforce planning, and positionin...

In an exclusive conversation with CXO Lanes , Mr. Rijo Murali , Director of Strategic Alliance & Growth at Reed & Willow , unpacks the evolving dynamics of talent acquisition in India and the UAE—and how his team at Reed & Willow is redefining recruitment as a strategic growth lever rather than a transactional service. Can you elaborate on your role as Director of Strategic Alliances & Growth at Reed & Willow and the key objectives you aim to achieve in the Indian and UAE markets?​ Rijo Murali: As Director of Strategic Alliances & Growth at Reed & Willow, my core responsibility is driving expansion across the Indian and UAE markets by fostering key partnerships and identifying scalable growth opportunities. I specialize in talent acquisition strategies, ensuring organizations have access to high-quality workforce solutions tailored to their evolving business needs. My focus is on leveraging data-driven insights, optimizing workforce planning, and positionin...