SNP SE, a leading provider of software for AI-enabled digital transformation, automated data migration and data management in the SAP environment, announced the appointment of Neeraj Athalye as Managing Director, India. Based in Mumbai, Athalye will be responsible for leading SNP’s expansion helping customers build the data foundations for business AI using SNP’s Kyano® platform and Bluefield® approach.

SNP Appoints Neeraj Athalye as Managing Director for India Strengthening its Partner First and Best-Data-for Business-AI Strategy

Athalye brings with him more than 30 years of experience across enterprise software, SAP, cloud technologies and business leadership, having held senior positions at SAP, MatrixOne (Dassault Systèmes), Honda, John Deere, SUSE and, most recently, Icertis. His track record in building partner ecosystems, scaling high‑growth businesses, and driving customer‑centric innovation positions him perfectly to lead SNP’s next phase of expansion in India.

The appointment comes as SNP expands its presence in Asia Pacific and continues to invest in AI-enabled capabilities for SAP transformations. At its annual flagship event “Transformation World” in Heidelberg, Germany, in July, SNP introduced new capabilities for its Kyano platform to customers, partners and experts from across the global SAP ecosystem. Kyano brings together software for data management, migration and continuous assessment of SAP landscapes, supporting organizations throughout their SAP transformation journey. The platform also supports migrations from different ERP source systems and integrates partner capabilities through its ecosystem and Marketplace.

Among the new capabilities is Kyano Lorna, an Agentic AI Layer that draws on more than 30 years of SNP’s data transformation expertise to provide real-time insights and project-specific recommendations. Embedded directly into transformation projects it helps customers execute transformations faster while maintaining the highest levels of accuracy, reliability and compliance. Kyano Oros extends the platform to unstructured data which accounts for approximately 80% of enterprise data volumes and has largely remained inaccessible to traditional transformation tools. This provides a critical foundation for preparing enterprise data landscapes for modern AI applications. Together, these capabilities help India’s organizations accelerate and simplify SAP transformations while preparing their data for business AI.

India continues to see growing demand for SAP transformation projects, driven by cloud adoption, digital transformation initiatives and increasing investment in AI. This makes the country an important market within SNP’s Asia Pacific strategy. Following its partner-first approach, SNP plans to further expand its ecosystem of consulting, hyperscaler and technology partners, combining Kyano with local delivery and industry expertise to support customers throughout their transformation projects and accelerate time-to-value.

Phillip Miltiades, President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific & Japan, SNP Group: “We see significant growth potential in India and across the Asia Pacific region. India represents one of the most exciting opportunities for SNP, with growing demand for solutions that simplify complex SAP transformation programs while minimizing business disruption. Neeraj’s experience will help us further expand our market presence and strengthen our partner-first strategy to deliver scalable, software-led transformation outcomes.”

About SNP

SNP (ticker: SHF.DE) is the global technology platform leader and trusted partner for companies seeking unparalleled data-enabled transformation capabilities and business agility. SNP’s Kyano^® platform integrates all necessary capabilities and partner offerings to provide comprehensive software-based experience in data migration and management. Combined with the Bluefield^® approach, Kyano sets a comprehensive industry standard for restructuring and modernizing enterprise data faster and more securely while harnessing AI-driven innovations based on over 30 years of experience.

The company works with more than 3,000 customers of all sizes and in all industries in over 80 countries, including numerous DAX 40 and Fortune 500 companies. The SNP Group has more than 1,700 employees worldwide at over 34 locations in 22 countries. The company is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, and generated revenues of around EUR 297 million in the 2025 fiscal year.

More information is available at www.snpgroup.com

Nicole Eberhardt, Global Chief Executive Officer, Asset Vantage

Today, Asset Vantage supports more than 400 families across 10 countries, helping manage over USD 400 billion in assets through a unified platform that brings together data aggregation, accounting, portfolio reporting and analytics, and document management. The platform provides family offices and their trusted advisors, including Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and Multi-Family Offices (MFOs), with a single source of truth across entities, currencies, and asset classes. By bringing together the general ledger and the investments book, it delivers secure, audit-ready data while ensuring clients retain complete ownership and control of their information. In addition, the platform safeguards highly sensitive financial information while supporting the governance needs of modern family offices.

Nicole's appointment comes as family offices navigate increasing complexity across global investments, governance, reporting and cross-border structures, while artificial intelligence reshapes the future of wealth management. She brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services technology. An accountant by training, Nicole has spent her career building and scaling the accounting and reporting platforms relied upon by family offices, alternative investment managers and their trusted advisors.

Sunil K. Dalal, Founder & Chairman, UNIDEL Group, said, “Asset Vantage was founded on a simple belief - that family offices deserve technology built around their real-time financial operations needs. As we look to the future, our ambition is to evolve on the back of our deep domain expertise, continuous innovation, and enduring client trust. Nicole embodies these values. She brings the experience, judgement and leadership to guide Asset Vantage through its next phase of growth while remaining true to the principles on which it was built.” 

Nicole Eberhardt, Global Chief Executive Officer, Asset Vantage, said, “Clients today expect more than technology - they need a trusted partner with stable ownership that helps them navigate increasing complexity with confidence. Our focus will be on continuing investments in a platform that gives clients greater clarity, control and agility as their needs evolve, and helping family offices, complex asset allocators, CPA firms, and MFOs, manage wealth with confidence across generations. I am excited to lead Asset Vantage into its next chapter, continuing to strengthen our capabilities and create long-term value for family offices around the world.”

Originally developed to manage the family office of UNIDEL's founder, Asset Vantage remains one of the few platforms built on a native general ledger architecture rather than disconnected reporting systems. By combining accounting and reporting in a single platform, it enables family offices to operate with greater transparency, efficiency, and confidence.

About Asset Vantage
Asset Vantage, a UNIDEL Company, founded in 2011, empowers families and their trusted advisors with integrated solutions that deliver deep insights into investments and enhanced control over their financial legacy. Powered by integrated general ledger capabilities and advanced performance reporting, the platform delivers a complete, real-time view of assets, liabilities, and overall wealth, enabling principals and their trusted advisors to make confident, informed decisions. Today, Asset Vantage supports more than 400 families across 10+ countries and helps oversee more than USD 400 billion in assets.

For more information, visit www.assetvantage.com.

Eladio Robles joins Syngenta India as Managing Director

In his previous roles Eladio, served as the Head of Production & Supply for Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA). Since joining Syngenta in 2004, he has held several leadership positions across international markets, building a strong track record in business transformation, operational excellence, supply chain resilience and sustainable growth. In his previous role, he played a pivotal role in enhancing supply chain performance, improving operational efficiencies and strengthening customer-focused operations while advancing sustainability and integration across Syngenta's global network.

Talking about his appointment, Eladio said, "Syngenta India has achieved an extraordinary milestone by becoming the number one crop protection company in the country by market share. As we embark on our next phase of growth, our focus will be on accelerating innovation, strengthening our value proposition to customers and growers and deepening our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. With the strength of our talented team in India, I am confident we will not only reinforce our leadership in this important market but also continue to position India as a global innovation hub for Syngenta."

India represents one of Syngenta's most dynamic markets, driven by a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape and increasing demand for science-based solutions that enhance farm productivity while supporting sustainability. Building on its leadership in crop protection, the company is focused on expanding access to breakthrough technologies, including innovative crop protection molecules such as PLINAZOLIN®, ADEPIDYN® and TYMIRIUM® alongside a growing portfolio of biological solutions designed to help farmers address emerging challenges linked to climate change, pest resistance and resource efficiency.

With a presence in more than 90 countries, Syngenta is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, helping farmers with higher yields and lower impact. Under Eladio's leadership, Syngenta India will continue to strengthen its innovation pipeline, enhance customer engagement, uphold the highest standards of health, safety and environmental stewardship, and contribute to advancing India's agricultural transformation while creating value for farmers and stakeholders across the value chain.

Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Chairperson, Manipal University Jaipur

A distinguished academic leader, accomplished researcher, and visionary administrator, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh brings with him more than four decades of exceptional experience spanning higher education, healthcare, military medicine, research, and institutional governance.

During his illustrious career, he has served as the Vice Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Sikkim Manipal University. He is currently serving as Advisor to the Manipal Education and Medical Group, where he continues to contribute to strengthening academic quality, institutional growth, and strategic initiatives across the Group's institutions.

On this transition President Prof. (Dr.) N. N. Sharma along with the entire MUJ community extended a warm welcome to Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh. He expressed confidence that his visionary leadership, rich administrative experience, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence would guide the University towards new milestones in education, research, innovation, and global collaborations.

With Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh assuming the role of Chairperson, Manipal University Jaipur looks forward to an inspiring new era of excellence, innovation, and transformative growth, further reinforcing its position among India's leading multidisciplinary universities.

About Manipal University Jaipur
Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is one of India’s leading multidisciplinary universities, renowned for academic excellence, innovation, research, and industry-oriented education. Established in 2011 as part of the prestigious Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), MUJ has rapidly emerged as a preferred destination for higher education, offering a vibrant learning ecosystem that nurtures knowledge, creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Accredited with an A+ Grade by NAAC, MUJ offers a wide spectrum of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and professional programmes across Engineering, Management, Law, Design, Architecture, Commerce, Arts, Science, Humanities, Journalism, and Allied Health Sciences. The University places strong emphasis on experiential learning, interdisciplinary education, research excellence, innovation, and global engagement.

Spread across a modern, fully residential campus in Jaipur, Rajasthan, MUJ provides world-class infrastructure, advanced laboratories, smart classrooms, innovation and incubation centres, sports facilities, libraries, and student activity spaces that foster academic and personal growth. The University maintains strong collaborations with leading national and international universities, research organisations, and industry partners, enabling students to benefit from global exposure, internships, collaborative research, and excellent career opportunities.

With a vibrant student community representing almost every state and union territory of India, along with several international students, MUJ promotes diversity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange. Through its commitment to quality education, impactful research, sustainability, and social responsibility, Manipal University Jaipur continues to empower future-ready professionals and responsible global citizens.

For more details, please visit the official website of Manipal University Jaipur: www.jaipur.manipal.edu.

Arjun Malhotra, Co- Founder, HCL | Chairperson, EPIC Foundation

The transition marks a new chapter in the Foundation's leadership structure where both visionaries will remain closely engaged in advancing their shared vision: Building a sustainable, self-reliant and complete ecosystem for semiconductors and electronics as a key driver of national transformation. Their continued collaboration will centre on supporting indigenous innovation, domestic manufacturing and IP creation, building technology sovereignty, enabling Indian Startups, improving market access, and fostering collaboration between industry, government, academia for a well-connected ecosystem.

Ajai Chowdhry, Founder, EPIC Foundation, said, "Arjun’s life's work in itself is a testimony to what EPIC Foundation stands for - the conviction that engineers, entrepreneurs, and institutions of India origin can build for the world. This transition decision does not stem from correcting course but rather is a natural progression at a time when India has both the talent and the opportunity to lead in indigenous innovation backed by strong policy support. Arjun’s decades of experience building enterprises from the ground up, scaling Indian technology globally, and mentoring founders across generations are vital in further shaping Foundation's voice in creating an environment conducive to innovation.”

Mr Malhotra stands among the visionaries who anchored and shaped India's technological destiny. As co-founder of HCL in 1975, he was at the helm of building indigenous confidence in Indian engineering proving Indian talent could build, design and compete at a global level. Beyond building India’s technological foundations, he played a true catalyst in laying the groundwork for the digital economy that today drives India's global standing, employment generation, exports, and innovation capacity. Under his leadership, EPIC Foundation will look to further deepen its impact on accelerating globally competitive indigenous technology and products and build stronger capabilities across electronics, deep-tech, innovation and emerging technologies.

Arjun Malhotra, Chairperson, EPIC Foundation, said, "Nearly 50 years ago few of us dared to change direction of the country where we believed that India could build for the world and HCL happened. The conviction stayed with me ever since. Having seen India's technology journey evolve over the past five decades, I believe that the next big opportunity for the country is to move beyond adopting technology to creating products and solutions that address our own needs and can compete globally. We are charting a clear output driven vision for the Foundation where we create an ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurs to take risks, supports indigenous product development, and helps promising innovations move from the laboratory and drawing board to the market. In the new role, my focus will intensify on helping build the kind of institutions, products, and policy environment that let Indian engineers and entrepreneurs solve problems on their own terms - for India, and for the world."

Mr. Malhotra's contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and institution building have earned him wide recognition, including the Albert Einstein Technology Medal and the Dataquest Lifetime Achievement Award - the latter honoring his role in fostering entrepreneurship and shaping India's technology landscape. The Institution of Engineers (India) has also recognized him as an Eminent Engineering Personality, and he has received honorary doctorates from both IIT Kharagpur and Punjab Technical University. In recognition of his sustained commitment to his alma mater, IIT Kharagpur named him a Life Fellow and inducted him as one of the founding members of its Hall of Fame. Most recently, he was presented with the One World One Family Global Leadership Award, celebrating his work in advancing business practices rooted in purpose and social impact.

EPIC Foundation remains committed in its efforts to enhance India's capabilities as a Product Nation.

Mr. Anurag Yadav, CEO, Livasa Hospitals along with Mr. Bhoopendra Solanki, CIO, Livasa Hospitals

The appointment comes at a significant stage in Livasa Hospitals' growth journey as the network expands its regional footprint across North India while strengthening its digital capabilities. With technology becoming central to every aspect of healthcare-from diagnostics and clinical decision-making to patient engagement, cybersecurity and hospital operations, Livasa is making strategic investments to build an integrated, intelligent and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem.

An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, Mr. Solanki brings over 25 years of experience in healthcare information technology and digital transformation. He has held senior technology leadership positions at Sakra World Hospital, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Medanta – The Medicity and Fortis Healthcare Ltd. 

Over the course of his career, he has successfully led enterprise-wide digital transformation across multi-hospital networks and greenfield healthcare projects. His expertise spans Hospital Information Systems (HIS), PACS, ERP, SAP S/4HANA, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, CRM platforms, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and digital patient engagement platforms.

He has also led the implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR/EHR), Patient and Doctor Mobile Applications, Patient Portals, Telemedicine and Remote Care solutions, helping healthcare organisations improve efficiency, strengthen clinical workflows and enhance patient experience. Mr. Solanki is also an author and thought leader, contributing to discussions on healthcare technology and digital innovation.

Welcoming him to Livasa Hospitals, Mr. Anurag Yadav, Chief Executive Officer, Livasa Hospitals, said, "Healthcare is undergoing one of its biggest transformations, with technology becoming a critical enabler of better clinical outcomes, safer care and enhanced patient experience. As Livasa Hospitals continues its growth journey, building a robust digital ecosystem is a strategic priority for us. Bhoopendra's rich experience in leading technology transformation across some of India's premier healthcare institutions will help us accelerate this journey and create an integrated, secure and future-ready healthcare network."

As Chief Information Officer, Mr. Solanki will lead Livasa Hospitals' enterprise technology strategy and digital transformation roadmap. He will oversee the development of an integrated technology ecosystem across the network, with a focus on strengthening IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, AI-led innovation, automation and digital platforms that improve operational efficiency, clinical outcomes and patient engagement.

His appointment reflects Livasa Hospitals' continued investment in leadership, innovation and technology as the Group expands its regional footprint and advances its vision of delivering world-class healthcare closer to the communities it serves.

About Livasa Hospitals
Livasa Hospitals is one of North India's leading healthcare networks, committed to delivering advanced, accessible, and patient-centric medical care. Backed by IndiaRF, network has over 950 beds, supported by 250+ doctors and 40+ super-specialties, across Mohali, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Khanna, with further expansion underway across the region. Livasa Hospitals offers comprehensive tertiary and quaternary care services across Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Renal Sciences, Critical Care, Gastro Sciences, Mother & Child Care, Emergency Medicine, and several other specialties. Guided by a commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care, Livasa Hospitals continues to strengthen healthcare access and improve health outcomes for communities across North India.

(From left) Rajeev Singh, General Secretary; Prabhat Kumar, IRS, Chairman; and Dr Amitabh Ranjan, Vice Chairman, all of PanIIT Alumni India
 

The two office bearers join Chairman Prabhat Kumar, IRS, and Treasurer Ashish Kela, CFA, on the Executive Council, which represents a community of over five lakh IIT alumni across India and around the world, including active chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore, and Australia.
 

Dr. Amitabh Ranjan currently serves as Registrar at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, one of the country's premier institutions for the training and capacity-building of civil servants. A petroleum engineering graduate, he has previously served in leadership roles within the Government of Uttar Pradesh, where he was widely credited for spearheading the digitisation of the state's Transport Department through the "Vahan" (vehicle registration) and "Sarathi" (driving licence) digital platforms, now used nationwide. He has been an active voice within the PanIIT ecosystem, frequently moderating and speaking at flagship PanIIT summits on themes ranging from public governance to India's knowledge traditions, and brings with him a keen interest in the energy, renewable energy and climate domains.
 

Rajeev Singh has been a long-standing and active member of PanIIT Alumni India's core team, having played a key role in organising several of the organisation's flagship initiatives, events and community engagement programmes over the years. He takes charge as General Secretary at a time when PanIIT Alumni India continues to expand its footprint across India's technology, entrepreneurship and public policy landscape.
 

Commenting on the new appointments, Prabhat Kumar, Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India, said, “Dr Amitabh Ranjan and Rajeev Singh bring with them years of dedicated engagement with the PanIIT movement. Their leadership will add further depth to our efforts in strengthening alumni collaboration, driving thought leadership, and contributing meaningfully to nation-building. We warmly welcome them to their new roles and look forward to their continued contribution.”
 

Speaking on his election, Dr Amitabh Ranjan, Vice Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India, said, “It is a privilege to take on this responsibility within an organisation that has consistently channelled the IIT community's talent towards public good. I look forward to working with the Executive Council to deepen PanIIT's engagement with public policy, governance and the larger national development agenda.”
 

Rajeev Singh, General Secretary, PanIIT Alumni India, added, “PanIIT has always been a platform built on the collective energy of its volunteers and alumni. As General Secretary, my focus will be on strengthening this ecosystem further and ensuring that our chapters, initiatives and members remain closely connected in pursuit of shared goals.”
 

PanIIT Alumni India serves as an umbrella organisation for the alumni of all IITs, promoting collaboration, thought leadership, and national service through a strong, unified network. Over the years, the movement has expanded significantly, organising flagship summits and initiatives across the country in the areas of technology, entrepreneurship, public policy and education. The newly strengthened Executive Council is expected to build on this momentum, fostering deeper alumni engagement, innovation-led partnerships and initiatives that contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building.

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Luc Bernard as Chief Executive Officer, Natixis Services in India.

Luc reports to Cecile de Sousa, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Natixis CIB and Etienne Huret, Head of Portugal and India Hubs, Natixis.
 

Luc Bernard - Natixis

He brings to the role nearly two decades of experience in Global Capability Center management and offshoring strategies, entrepreneurship, delivery, software engineering, financial markets, architecture, data, digital transformation and innovation.
 

Luc was instrumental in establishing Natixis Services in India, Natixis CIB's technology and innovation hub in Bangalore. He previously held the position of Executive Director and Head of CIB Operations and IT and served on the Board of Directors at Natixis Services in India from 2021 until 2025. He then transitioned to Natixis Investment Managers in Paris, where he has been serving as Head of IT Production until his current appointment. Prior to joining the IT team at Natixis CIB in 2014, Luc gained experience as a Software Developer at Société Générale and Partners Advisers SA. He holds a Master's degree in Electronic Engineering from Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Brest and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris.
 

In his new role as Chief Executive Officer, Luc will support the growth of Natixis Services in India and strengthen its integration within Natixis's global processes.
 

Cecile de Sousa said, "It is with great pleasure that we welcome Luc back to Bangalore to lead our India center of expertise as it celebrates its five-year anniversary. He has been pivotal in setting up this crucial operation, and spearheading technology-driven transformation and process optimization. Luc's extensive knowledge of our internal processes, coupled with his proven track record in India, positions him perfectly to assume the leadership responsibilities of Natixis Services in India."
 

Etienne Huret said, "Luc's appointment is a key milestone in our commitment to further developing Bangalore as a critical hub for the Groupe BPCE and Natixis businesses. I look forward to working with him closely as we continue to grow synergies between our Portugal and India hubs and collaborate closely with the Group on strategic initiatives."

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking
Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide.
 

Our teams of experts in close to 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business.
 

As part of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group's financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor's: A+, Moody's: A2, Fitch Ratings: A+, R&I: A+).

About Natixis Services in India
Natixis Services in India is a Center of Expertise for Groupe BPCE, a banking group of French origin, and its subsidiary, Natixis. Natixis Services in India delivers operational excellence and agile solutions by leveraging advanced technologies to address challenges in the banking industry. Natixis Services in India's focus is on enhancing the client experience, mitigating risks, and strengthening competitive positioning. The team is committed to enriching career development opportunities within an inclusive and dynamic work environment.

Abhishek Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, KLAY (Founding Years Learning Solutions)
 

Abhishek's mandate is clear and ambitious: to establish KLAY as the definitive early childhood ecosystem in India, to deepen the brand's integrated proposition across learning, care, and parenting partnership, and to widen access to high-quality early education for families nationwide. The goal is not incremental growth, but to set the standard for what early childhood can and should be in India.
 

This ambition is grounded in simple and settled truth: nearly 90% of a child's brain develops before the age of six. The curiosity, confidence, and character formed in these years shape everything that follows. KLAY's belief is that getting the early years right is not childcare, it is the foundation for life.
 

Abhishek brings over two decades of experience scaling some of India's best-known consumer businesses. He has held senior leadership roles at Licious, Jubilant FoodWorks (Domino's India), Hindustan Unilever (HUL), and GCMMF (Amul), with a track record across business transformation, category building, and customer-centric growth. Known for a transformational leadership style, he is passionate about building purpose-driven organisations and high-performing teams. He is an alumnus of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), where he earned a PGDM in Sales & Marketing, and holds a B.Tech from Govind Ballabh Pant University. Outside work, he is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys trekking, surfing, and travel, and values time with his family.
 

Commenting on the appointment, Sandeep Reddy, Chairman, Founding Years Learning Solutions, said, "India is at an inflection point in how it thinks about the early years. The science is settled - what happens before a child turns six shapes the rest of their life. Our ambition is to make world-class early childhood education the norm, not the privilege, for Indian families. Abhishek has spent his career building brands that millions of Indians trust, and scaling them without ever compromising on quality. That is precisely the leadership KLAY needs to take its mission to its next chapter."
 

Speaking about his appointment, Abhishek Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, KLAY (Founding Years Learning Solutions), said, "Few things matter more than how a child experiences the first years of life. KLAY has earned something rare - the deep, daily trust of parents. I am joining to build on that trust and widen our impact: to ensure that more children across India begin life with the strongest possible foundation, and that more parents have a partner they can count on through their parenting journey. This is a mission worth giving the best years of one's career to."
 

This appointment marks an important milestone for KLAY as it accelerates its mission to deliver high-quality early childhood education and care for families across India.

About KLAY (Founding Years Learning Solutions)

KLAY is India's leading chain of preschools and daycare centres, trusted by over 80,000 families to give their children the best possible start in life. Founded in 2011, KLAY creates safe, nurturing, and engaging environments where children learn and grow, supported by passionate facilitators, modern infrastructure, and a proven pedagogy. As a trusted parenting partner to leading Fortune 500 organisations, KLAY brings together learning, care, and family support into a single, integrated proposition. The institution operates 180+ self-managed centres across 20+ cities in India, backed by 500+ corporate partnerships and a workforce of 3,500+ dedicated professionals - building the foundation for life, one child at a time.

Renowned actress Neha Saxena unveiled as the new face of Quikzii.com, the UK’s fast-growing delivery platform

Launched in the UK in December 2025, Quikzii has successfully completed 6 months of operation, earning the trust of its customers. The delivery platform is spearheaded by Sarath Jose, a prominent entrepreneur and investor with years of rich experience in FMCG, FMCD, and retail management. Quikzii’s comprehensive product range has been carefully curated by understanding the exact daily needs, culinary preferences, and lifestyles of various diaspora communities in the UK, including Malayali, South and North Indian, Arabic, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, South Asian, and African communities.

Powered by modern technology, Quikzii operates through two distinct delivery models. The first is the '24-Hour Delivery' system, which ensures ordered products reach customers within 24 hours. Additionally, Quikzii offers a superfast '1-Hour Delivery' service in selected cities across the UK, delivering products to doorsteps within an hour. Customers can quickly order a wide array of essentials through Quikzii, ranging from fresh vegetables, fruits, high-quality meat, fish, and groceries, to fashion & trendy fabrics, electronics, mobile accessories, small appliances, and office stationery.

The platform has introduced numerous attractive offers and benefits for its users. Highlighting these is 'The First 100' offer, where 100 selected customers will receive a specific product of their choice with completely free delivery. Additionally, the 'Refer & Earn' scheme allows users to earn 'Super Coins' by referring friends, which can be redeemed for excellent cash discounts during purchases. Beyond this, Quikzii provides special loyalty programs, cashback offers, membership programs that offer exclusive benefits and priorities, and enticing seasonal discounts.

Sarath Jose, Founder and CEO of Quikzii, stated that the platform aims to elevate the shopping culture in the UK to a new level by blending high quality with high-speed service. He emphasized that the brand's mission is to make the customer shopping experience more expansive, rapid, and trustworthy. Customers can order products with just a single click via the website quikzii.com, or through the Quikzii mobile app available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Prashant Hoskote
 

Hoskote brings over 35 years of expertise in customer experience and quality leadership. His appointment strengthens Astera Ventures' board at a pivotal moment in its growth as a strategic enabler in the global hospitality sector.
 

Astera Ventures is a key shareholder in Sunday Proptech, a new-age hospitality owning and operating platform focused on building and scaling hotels under PRISM, parent of OYO, Townhouse, SUNDAY and other brands globally. Sunday Proptech already owns and operates 38 hotels across the US and is focused on rapid expansion across key markets including the US, India and Europe. The platform combines hospitality operations, real estate partnerships and brand-led growth to create high-quality guest experiences at scale.
 

Commenting on his appointment, Prashant Hoskote said, "I look forward to enabling strong governance and providing the right steer as Astera Ventures grows its portfolio and its key investment Sunday Proptech builds its next phase of growth in global hospitality. Astera Ventures plays an important role in this journey, and I am excited to contribute at the board level."
 

Prashant Hoskote currently serves as CEO of PH Factor, a board advisory and organizational excellence consulting practice based in Delhi NCR, and was previously President – Global Engagements at Striking Ideas. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Director – Quality, Service Excellence, and Innovation at Max India Group, and also held leadership roles at Mashreq Bank (Dubai), Standard Chartered Bank, and the Taj Group of Hotels. He began his career with Qimpro Consultants, the Indian affiliate of Juran Institute Inc., USA.
 

Prashant has served on the National Board for Quality Promotion at the Quality Council of India, as Vice-Chair of ASQ's Quality Management Division – Global (Asia and Australia), and as Chairperson of ASQ's Organizational Excellence Technical Committee. He was named among the "50 Most Talented Quality Professionals" at the World Quality Congress in 2014. He is also a published author and international speaker.

Mr Farid Khan, CMD (left) and Mr Kamal Bajaj, CEO, profine India

Mr. Farid Khan, who has served as Chief Executive Officer of profine India since its inception, will assume the elevated role of Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD). In this capacity, Mr. Khan will focus on long-term strategic direction, group-wide governance, and profine's international expansion across South Asia, the Middle East, and non-EU global markets — roles he already leads as MD of profine Middle East and Head of the group's global non-EU Aluminium Business.

Succeeding him as Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Kamal Bajaj, who has been serving as Chief Procurement Officer and Business Head – Aluminium at profine India. Mr. Bajaj brings deep operational expertise, a thorough command of the Indian market, and a values-driven leadership approach that the organisation is confident will carry profine India into its next phase of growth.

“Over two decades, I have had the privilege of building profine India from the ground up – establishing world-class manufacturing infrastructure, taking the Koemmerling brand to industry leadership, and driving our strategic expansion into aluminium. As I step into the Chairman cum Managing Director’s role, I do so with full confidence in Kamal’s ability to lead this organisation with vision and integrity. Our best chapter is still ahead,” said Farid Khan, Chairman cum Managing Director, profine India.

“I am deeply honoured to take on the responsibility of leading profine India as CEO. The foundation that Mr Farid Khan built is exceptional – in terms of people, product and market presence. My focus will be to accelerate growth, deepen our partner relationships and ensure that profine India continues to set the standard for quality and innovation in the fenestration and façade industry,” said Kamal Bajaj, Chief Executive Officer, profine India.

About profine India Window Technology Pvt. Ltd.
profine India is a 100% subsidiary of profine group, offering premium uPVC  and aluminium windows, doors, aluminium façade systems and polymer composite sheet solutions to the market. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, profine India has established itself as a trusted partner for architects, fabricators, and builders across the country.

About Farid Khan
Farid Khan is a global business executive with over two decades of expertise in international market expansion, manufacturing scale-up, and strategic leadership within the building materials and fenestration industry. As CMD of profine India, MD of profine Middle East, and Head of the non-EU Aluminium Business for profine Group, he leads one of the industry’s most extensive multi-regional mandates.

About Kamal Bajaj
Kamal Bajaj has been a key member of the profine India leadership team, most recently serving as Chief Procurement Officer and Business Head – Aluminium. He brings deep institutional knowledge of profine’s Indian operations, strong cross-functional capabilities, and a people-first leadership philosophy to the role of Chief Executive Officer.

Ramesh Vishwanathan, CEO, FPSB India
 

In this role, Ramesh will oversee the organization’s strategic direction, growth and efforts to advance the financial planning profession in India, through the advancement of standards in financial planning with focus on CFP certification. Ramesh will assume the role later this month.
 

Ramesh brings over 25 years of leadership experience across the financial services industry, with expertise in building and scaling businesses, strengthening strategic partnerships, driving profitable growth, and creating winning, customer-centric value propositions.
 

Dante De Gori, CFP, FPSB CEO, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ramesh to the FPSB family. India continues to be one of the fastest-growing markets for the CFP certification globally, and we are confident that his leadership and industry expertise will further strengthen the financial planning profession and the CFP professional ecosystem in India.”
 

FPSB also acknowledges with appreciation Chandrakant Sureka for his leadership and support while overseeing executive business operations for FPSB India on an interim basis during the transition.
 

India saw a 9.9% year-on-year growth in the number of CFP professionals in 2025, bringing the total to 3,534, underscoring the rising adoption of financial planning as a recognized profession. Globally, the CFP professional community expanded to 236,300 across 29 territories, with a net addition of 5,652 professionals in 2025. In India, women now comprise 23.6% of CFP professionals, reflecting steady progress toward greater gender diversity in the field.
 

Ramesh Vishwanathan, newly appointed FPSB India CEO said, “I am honoured to join FPSB India at an exciting phase of growth for the financial planning profession. I look forward to working closely with industry stakeholders and CFP professionals to further enhance awareness around financial planners who commit to ethics and competency standards and contribute towards the vision of a financially empowered Viksit Bharat.”
 

In India, the increase in CFP professionals reflects rising awareness of professional financial planning and growing demand for advisors who commit to putting the client’s interest first. It also points to a stronger recognition of the value of financial planning in helping individuals make informed financial decisions to achieve life goals.

About FPSB India

FPSB India is the Indian subsidiary of Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), the global standards-setting body for the financial planning profession and owner of the international CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification program.

For more information, visit india.fpsb.org.
 

About FPSB Ltd.

FPSB manages, develops and operates certification, education and related programs to benefit the global community by establishing, upholding and promoting worldwide professional standards in financial planning. FPSB demonstrates its commitment to excellence with the marks of professional distinction – CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CFP Logo Mark – which it owns internationally. FPSB and its global network of organizations certify CFP professionals in 29 territories. CFP professionals are certified in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. There are 236,300 CFP professionals worldwide.

For more, visit fpsb.org.
 

FPSB owns the CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and (the CFP Marks) outside the United States, and permits qualified individuals to use the marks to indicate that they meet FPSB’s initial and ongoing certification standards and requirements. CFP professionals may use the CFP marks in the territory or region in which they are certified.
 

About CFP Certification
CFP certification is the global symbol of excellence in financial planning and represents financial planners who commit to standards of competency and ethics, and to putting clients’ interests first. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER credential represents financial planning professionals who commit to better serving their clients through rigorous international standards, ethical practices and lifelong learning.
 

CFP Certification Global excellence in financial planning™

Truecaller Appoints Meta & Samsung Veteran Mr. Sandeep Bhushan to its Board

Bhushan brings in over 25 years of experience across consumer, digital, and media businesses. He most recently served as India Director of Global Marketing Solutions at Meta, where he built and led a multi-billion-dollar business, helping catalyse broader digital economic participation in the company’s largest and most complex market.

His career spans leadership roles at Samsung, where he led marketing and operator partnerships for its smartphone business, and at WSJ-Mint, where he was a founding member and COO, helping build one of India’s most influential business media platforms. Prior to this, he started his career at Unilever and held leadership roles for over a decade. This unique combination gives him a rare perspective across advertisers, platforms, and media ecosystems.

Truecaller is actively pivoting its advertising strategy from a reliance on traditional programmatic display ads toward a diversified, high-intent B2B SaaS model and premium, rich-media formats. This pivot is designed to reduce dependence on third-party ad partners and instead maximize revenue through direct business relationships.

Bhushan’s expertise in navigating complex consumer and media markets, designing monetisation strategies and balancing growth with long-term user trust is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s next phase of expansion.

Truecaller has seen strong growth in recent years, with over 500 million active users globally and a rapidly expanding advertising and enterprise verification business, particularly in high-growth markets such as India, Middle East and LATAM.

Commenting on his appointment, Sandeep Bhushan said, "Truecaller has built a powerful platform at global scale, where trust and monetisation must evolve together. As digital ecosystems mature, getting this balance right becomes a key differentiator. I look forward to engaging with the Board and management team to help shape the next phase of the company’s continued growth journey.”

Nami Zarringhalam, Co-founder of Truecaller, said, "Sandeep’s appointment to the Board marks an important addition. His strong background in scaling monetisation and consumer franchises across top global platforms will bring valuable perspective to our journey, along with a strong understanding of high-growth markets like India and APAC. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to scale our multiple revenue streams."

Bhushan is currently a Board member at Traya Health. He holds no shares in Truecaller and is considered independent in relation to the company, its management, and its major shareholders.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 500 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 68 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2025 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

Visit www.truecaller.com for more information.

Dr. Abhigyan Upadhyay
 

This move reflects Platinum Industries’ continued evolution from delivering advanced chemistry solutions to enabling applications that directly impact human health, an extension of its broader philosophy of translating chemistry into care through innovation, quality, and responsibility. The company aims to build a disciplined, research-driven, and globally scalable presence in high-value life sciences segments.

Dr. Upadhyay brings over 25 years of global leadership experience across life sciences, regulated manufacturing, diagnostics, and research-led environments. In his previous roles, he has led large-scale businesses and driven transformation and market expansion across international markets in life sciences. He has also contributed immensely during the COVID-19 pandemic leveraging his critical life sciences capabilities by being involved in various clinical trials and research initiatives.

Commenting on the development, Krishna Dushyant Rana, Chairman & Managing Director, Platinum Industries Ltd., said, “Our entry into life sciences reflects a deliberate step towards advancing our core philosophy of responsible chemistry into areas that have a direct and meaningful impact on human health. We see this as a long-term, innovation-led opportunity, and Dr. Upadhyay’s experience brings the strategic depth and execution capability required to build this business in a disciplined and phased manner.”

Dr. Abhigyan Upadhyay added, “The life sciences sector today is increasingly defined by the ability to translate scientific understanding into consistent, high-quality outcomes. Our focus will be on identifying the right opportunities, collaborating with partners, and bringing innovative, high-quality products to market in a phased manner. The aim is to build a strong foundation in research-led and high-value segments, and scale responsibly over time while contributing to areas that impact human health and wellbeing.”

Platinum Industries is set to foray into the life sciences sector through its wholly owned subsidiary, Rivadu Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. The company will adopt a phased, innovation-led approach to building its life sciences business, with an initial focus on research-driven segments such as APIs and intermediates, working closely with partners and leveraging its strengths in execution and market access to build a scalable model with a strong presence not just in India, but across key international markets, including the Middle East, the United States, Europe, and Asia.
 

The timing of this expansion aligns with global shifts in pharmaceutical supply chains, where demand for reliable, quality-certified partners continues to rise, alongside India’s emergence as a hub for high-value, innovation-driven life sciences capabilities.

About Platinum Industries Ltd.
Platinum Industries Ltd. [NSE: PLATIND; BSE: 544134] is an innovation-driven specialty chemicals company with a strong global presence, serving customers across 30+ countries. The company focuses on developing safer, more responsible chemistry solutions across industries, with a consistent track record of building and scaling its business in a disciplined and strategic manner. Its current portfolio consists of specialty chemicals focusing on plastics, paints and coatings industry.

14th Annual General Meeting of BRICS CCI

The appointments and declarations were formally conducted under the supervision of the Returning Officer, Shri Jalaj Shrivastava, Former IAS officer, following the successful and unanimous conclusion of the election process. As the number of valid nominations received did not exceed the number of positions available, all nominated candidates were elected unopposed in accordance with the provisions of the Chamber.

The newly elected Office Bearers formally took oath during the Oath Taking Ceremony held as part of the 14th AGM.

The newly appointed Office Bearers of BRICS CCI for the term 2026–2029 are:

Chairman – Mr. Sameep Shastri, Vice Chairman – Ms. Shabana Nasim, Vice Chairman – Mr. Atul Banshal, Director General – Mr. Prann Sharma, Director Finance – Mr. Ruhail Ranjan

The ceremony also marked a historic moment for the Chamber with the formal appointment of Dr. BBL Madhukar as the Chairman Emeritus of BRICS CCI in recognition of his visionary leadership, longstanding contribution, and institutional guidance towards strengthening the Chamber’s global engagement and strategic direction over the years.

In addition to the Office Bearers, the following distinguished members constitute the Governing Body of BRICS CCI for the term April 2026 – March 2029:

Mr. Adarsh Kumar, Mr. Ajit Singh, Mr. Aman Jindal, Mr. Amit Gulati, Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Mr. Ashish Srivastava, Mr. Asutosh Lohia, Mr. Bibin Babu, Mr. C. Prabhakaran, Mr. Chandra Vijay, Mr. Deepak Shukla, Mr. Dheerendra Kumar, Dr. Dhiraj Kr. Singh, Mr. Gulshan Narang, Dr. J.K. Das, Mr. Kailash Aggarwal, Mr. Neeraj K. Mishra, Ms. Nidhi Goyal, Mr. Nishant Sama, Mr. P.K. Gupta, Mr. Prem Pankaj, Ms. Ruby Sinha, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal, Mr. Sarthak Garg, Mr. Satyajit Kumar, Mr. Shekhar Gupta, Mr. Sushil Sharma, Mr. Vikram Singhal, Dr. Vinod Kr. Verma, and Ms. Sharmistha Ghosh.

Further, Lt. Gen. D.V. Kalra and Mr. Amit Mittal were formally co-opted as Members of the Governing Body of BRICS CCI during the proceedings of the Annual General Meeting.

Collectively, the newly constituted Governing Body brings together eminent leaders and professionals from diverse sectors including trade, finance, diplomacy, healthcare, sustainability, entrepreneurship, governance, strategic affairs, and international cooperation. The Chamber believes this collective leadership will further strengthen BRICS CCI’s institutional vision and enhance its role as a global platform for economic dialogue, multilateral cooperation, policy engagement, and cross-border partnerships.

Mr. Sameep Shastri formally assumed office as Chairman of BRICS CCI following the Oath Taking Ceremony. Having previously served as Vice Chairman of the Chamber for six years, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening BRICS CCI’s international outreach, youth leadership initiatives, and strategic partnerships. Under the new leadership, the Chamber aims to expand its engagement across emerging economies, industry sectors, innovation ecosystems, and people-to-people collaborations.

The newly elected leadership team is expected to further accelerate BRICS CCI’s efforts towards fostering trade, investment, sustainability partnerships, entrepreneurship, innovation, policy advocacy, and institutional cooperation among BRICS nations and partner countries.

Mohammed Ilias appointed AHMP India Chairman

Mohammed Ilias, Founder & Director of BCC Healthcare and a Chief Brand Strategist, brings over 17 years of experience in healthcare branding and strategic communication. Having worked with more than 450 hospital brands across India and international markets, he is widely recognised for championing ethical and patient-centric marketing practices in the healthcare sector.

Commenting on the announcement, Akhil Dave, Founder & Chairman of AHMP India Foundation, said, “AHMP was founded with the vision of fostering professionalism, ethical practices, and meaningful collaboration in healthcare marketing, while strengthening and elevating India’s healthcare marketing ecosystem. We believe Mohammed Ilias’ leadership as Chairman of the National Core Committee will further accelerate AHMP’s mission of building a scalable and ethical healthcare marketing community. His leadership will play a key role in building stronger industry-academia partnerships, promoting professional development, and nurturing the next generation of healthcare marketing leaders across the country.”

“Furthermore, his appointment as Chairman reflects AHMP India Foundation’s commitment to experienced, visionary, and value-driven leadership at a time when the healthcare industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital innovation, evolving patient expectations, and growing awareness around ethical healthcare communication,” he added.

National Core Committee 2026–2028

Alongside Chairman Mohammed Ilias, the newly formed committee includes experienced leaders from across the country:

Convener
Kapil Pandya – Group Head, Healthcare Communication, Branding & Strategy, Krish Heart Care

National Leads

• Dr. Sumit Kapadia – National Lead, Clinician Partnerships

• Rajarajan S – National Lead, Healthcare Marcom Organisations

• Raju Parekh – National Lead, Healthcare Allied Services

• D S Chakravarthi – National Lead, Healthcare Organisations

• Ekta Modi – National Lead, Academic Partnerships

• Mahender Pala – National Lead, Healthcare Consulting Partnerships

• Chitra Baskar – National Lead, Emerging Marketeers

This diverse leadership team represents a powerful blend of clinical expertise, operational leadership, academic insight, and marketing excellence.

About AHMP India Foundation

The Association of Healthcare Marketing Professionals (AHMP) India Foundation is a dedicated platform committed to advancing healthcare marketing through ethical practices, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and professional development. By bringing together professionals from across the healthcare ecosystem, AHMP aims to build a unified, informed, and forward-thinking community that drives meaningful impact in healthcare communication and patient engagement.

India’s healthcare marketing ecosystem is rapidly evolving, yet it continues to face several critical challenges, including the lack of structured education in ethical healthcare marketing, limited platforms for professional knowledge exchange, and the increasing complexity of digital healthcare communication. AHMP India Foundation was established to bridge these gaps and has since grown into a strong network of over 10,000 professionals, bringing together clinicians, marketers, administrators, and consultants from across the healthcare industry.

Widely known for scaling real estate platforms and his expertise in developing integrated townships, Ashwinder is also regarded for his experience across institutional capital, finance, and PropTech. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of BCD Group and Co-founder of BCD Royale, the group’s development arm, which is developing a 70-acre integrated township in Bangalore. He has played a key role in strengthening the group’s strategic expansion into real estate development and integrated urban growth.
 

Ashwinder R. Singh reappointed as Chairman, CII Real Estate Committee (Northern Region) for 2026-27
 

His reappointment comes at a time when India’s real estate sector is undergoing significant structural transformation, driven by infrastructure expansion, rapid urbanisation, technology adoption, capital market participation, and increasing global investor interest in India’s long-term growth story.
 

As Chairman of the CII Real Estate Committee (Northern Region), Ashwinder will continue working closely with policymakers, developers, financial institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to strengthen sectoral collaboration and contribute to the next phase of India’s urban and economic development.
 

Over the years, he has emerged as a prominent industry voice at national and international forums, participating in strategic conversations involving senior policymakers, global investors, and business leaders. He has also led multiple CII industry delegations to markets such as the UAE, Singapore, and London, contributing to stronger international engagement and positioning India’s real estate sector within broader global investment conversations.
 

Ashwinder brings with him over two and a half decades of leadership experience across some of India’s most recognised organisations. His professional journey includes leadership roles as CEO of Bhartiya Urban, where he led the development of a 150-acre integrated township, CEO of JLL Residential, Co-founder & CEO of ANAROCK, and senior leadership assignments at Citibank, Deutsche Bank, ICICI Bank, Fullerton Singapore, and Bajaj Housing Finance.
 

Across his career, he has played a pivotal role in property sales and development initiatives exceeding USD 5 billion, while also contributing to conversations around institutional funding, housing finance, PropTech innovation, and integrated urban development.
 

Commenting on his reappointment, Ashwinder R. Singh said, “The Indian real estate sector is entering one of the most important phases in its evolution. The opportunity today is not just to build projects, but to help build a stronger, more globally competitive India. CII has consistently played an important role in fostering constructive industry dialogue, and I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders across sectors to contribute meaningfully to this journey.”
 

Apart from his industry leadership roles, Ashwinder is also Advisor to NAR-India and Mentor at Earth Fund, a venture platform focused on PropTech, sustainability, and UrbanTech innovation, backed by Brigade Group and Gruhas. He also serves on multiple advisory boards across real estate, finance, media, and technology.
 

A three-time bestselling author and award-winning industry commentator, Ashwinder is also the voice behind the widely followed Open House newsletter and serves as Chief Advisor – Real Estate to Republic Media Network, where his insights frequently shape conversations around policy, markets, infrastructure, and urban development.
 

Recognised as Real Estate Person of the Year 2025 and Best Business & Money Author of 2024, he continues to be widely acknowledged for combining industry experience with strategic clarity and long-term sectoral perspective.
 

Know more at: www.ashwinderrsingh.com.
 

About CII
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is one of India’s premier industry bodies, working closely with government, industry, and civil society to support economic growth, competitiveness, sustainability, and nation-building initiatives across sectors.

Mr. Sameep Shastri appointed as the Chairman of the BRICS CCI

Mr. Sameep Shastri was elected unanimously and unopposed, reflecting the confidence and trust reposed in his leadership and long-standing contribution towards strengthening the Chamber’s global vision and institutional outreach. 

Mr. Sameep Shastri appointed as the Chairman of the BRICS CCI

A distinguished entrepreneur, strategist, and public leader, Mr. Sameep Shastri has been closely associated with BRICS CCI’s international engagement, youth leadership initiatives, policy dialogue platforms, and strategic partnerships for several years. Having previously served as Vice Chairman of BRICS CCI for six years, he played a pivotal role in expanding the Chamber’s presence across global forums and multilateral engagements. He also strengthened institutional collaborations involving trade, diplomacy, innovation, culture, and sustainable development. 

Carrying forward the illustrious legacy of his grandfather, former Prime Minister of India Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Mr. Sameep Shastri represents a new generation of leadership committed to nation-building, global cooperation, and inclusive development. His appointment comes at a significant time when India is emerging as a leading voice for the Global South and BRICS nations continue to strengthen their role in shaping the future global economic order. 

Under his leadership, BRICS CCI is expected to further enhance its efforts towards promoting trade and investment cooperation, innovation-led partnerships, entrepreneurship, sustainability dialogue, youth engagement, and people-to-people ties among BRICS nations and emerging economies. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sameep Shastri said, “It is a privilege to serve as Chairman of BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry at a transformative moment for India and the BRICS ecosystem. Having worked closely with BRICS CCI for several years, it is an honour to now lead the Chamber at a time when BRICS nations are shaping a new era of global cooperation. We look forward to building stronger partnerships and creating impactful opportunities that contribute towards a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous future.” 

From left: Harshit Agarwal, Founding Director; Ashish Munjal, Founder; and Navdeep Sandhu, Head of Academics, at Alta School of Technology’s leadership announcement
 

With grit and extensive experience across technology, learning ecosystems, and academic strategy, Navdeep aims to advance its mission of developing engineers equipped to solve real-world problems through hands-on, innovation-driven education.
 

Navdeep’s attitude of always being a learner first is aligned with the new role of building dynamic academic strategy, curriculum development, faculty alignment, and learner experience initiatives. He will collaborate closely with leadership and product teams to enhance the program's AI-first curriculum, ensuring students receive practical exposure aligned with evolving industry demands.
 

Navdeep Sandhu was the co-founder of Pepcoding, where he helped create structured outcomes-focused programming education models for aspiring software engineers. His career also includes key roles at Scaler, Coding Ninjas, and EY, where he gained deep expertise in curriculum design, engineering education, learner engagement, and academic operations at scale. He brings over a decade of experience across the edtech and technology ecosystem, with a track record of building scalable learning systems and industry-aligned academic programs.
 

The program is steadily strengthening its academic leadership, building a modern learning ecosystem rooted in AI-focused education, real-world projects, mentorship, and practical problem-solving
 

Ashish Munjal, Founder of Alta School of Technology, commented, “Alta’s mission is to build engineers who can think critically, build confidently, and adapt continuously in an AI-first world. Navdeep brings a rare combination of academic vision and outcome-driven execution, with a proven track record of designing programs that deliver not just meaningful learning experiences, but strong placement outcomes at scale. That makes him the right leader to shape and drive Alta’s academic vision as we grow.”
 

Harshit Agarwal, Founding Director at Alta School of Technology, said, "Navdeep Sandhu's arrival marks a pivotal moment for Alta. Having transformed learning in his previous roles, he brings battle-tested expertise in crafting curricula that turn novices into industry-ready engineers from day one. With Navdeep leading academics, we're accelerating our mission to make every Alta student code like a pro and solve real AI challenges that companies crave."
 

Navdeep Sandhu shared, “What attracted me to Alta was its willingness to rethink engineering education from first principles for the AI era. In a world where AI increasingly writes, reads, and reviews code, the real challenge is designing learning experiences that prepare students to think critically, solve problems, and build with technology not just code.”
 

This appointment underscores Alta School of Technology's commitment to academic excellence, innovation-driven learning, and building an education ecosystem that's truly future-ready.

About ALTA School of Technology
ALTA School of Technology is an AI-first computer science program redefining higher education through a skill-first approach. It integrates academic learning with hands-on experience, access to industry tools, and mentorship from experienced professionals. Students do coding from day one, preparing them for dynamic careers. This AI-first computer science program emphasizes innovation, employability, and practical knowledge to bridge the gap between education and industry needs.

Saurabh brings over two decades of experience across Wealth Management, Asset Management and Banking, and joins Centrum Wealth from Avendus Wealth, where he served as Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer. Over the course of his career, he has played a pivotal role in building and scaling high-impact investment and wealth platforms across leading institutions including Nuvama Private, Edelweiss Private Wealth, Kotak Wealth Management, IIFL Wealth (360 ONE), ICICI Prudential AMC and Citigroup.

Saurabh Rungta, Deputy CEO & CIO at Centrum Wealth

At Centrum Wealth, Saurabh will lead the investment team across Products, Advisory and in-house PMS platforms, while also overseeing the Family Office business and being part of the core leadership team driving the firm’s broader growth agenda. His mandate will include strengthening product architecture, deepening strategic partnerships and helping build a differentiated, technology-enabled wealth platform. He will report to Sandeep Das, MD & CEO, Centrum Wealth.

Centrum Wealth manages client assets of over INR 40,000 crore, with a presence across 17 locations and a team of 252 professionals, serving HNIs, Family Offices, and Corporate Treasuries. As India’s wealth landscape enters a new era of expansion, the firm is strongly positioned to build a scaled, future-forward franchise. 

A Chartered Accountant, Saurabh is known for his strong investment acumen, strategic vision, and institution-building capabilities, with expertise across equities, alternatives, offshore investing, and client-focused portfolio management. He is also a regular speaker at leading industry forums and academic institutions, and frequently features as a wealth management expert on industry panels.

Commenting on the appointment, Sandeep Das, Managing Director & CEO, Centrum Wealth, said, "Saurabh’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for Centrum Wealth. His exceptional investment pedigree, deep strategic insight, and proven ability to build and scale world-class platforms make him a defining addition to our leadership team. As we step into our next phase of growth, his leadership will be central to shaping a truly differentiated and enduring wealth franchise." 

Saurabh Rungta, Deputy CEO & CIO, Centrum Wealth, said, "Centrum Wealth stands at an inflection point, with a strong foundation and a clear ambition to build a best-in-class wealth platform. I am excited to be part of this journey and look forward to working closely with the leadership team to unlock the next phase of growth and create long-term value for clients and stakeholders."

*Centrum Wealth Limited is an AMFI registered Mutual Fund Distributor bearing AMFI registration number: ARN – 82601

About Centrum
Centrum was founded in 1997 by Chandir Gidwani and late Khushrooh Byramjee. Jaspal Bindra joined the Group as the Executive Chairman in 2016. Besides Wealth Management, the group has interest in Banking, Investment Banking, Stock Broking and Private Credit. Centrum is listed on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange.

Dr. Gaikwad formally assumed charge during the Council Meeting held at India International Centre, New Delhi on 9th May 2026. His tenure will be of two years.
 

Dr Anilkumar Gaikwad, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC)

Further strengthening MSRDC’s representation at the global platform, MSRDC Chief Engineer S.K. Suravase has also been nominated as a Member of the Governing Council of the IRF India Chapter.
 

Established in 1948 and headquartered in Geneva, the International Road Federation is a non-governmental and non-profit global organisation dedicated to promoting safer roads, sustainable mobility, innovation, and world-class transportation infrastructure. The IRF works with governments, institutions, and industry stakeholders across the world to advance road safety and mobility solutions. Its India Chapter is headquartered in New Delhi.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gaikwad said, “It is an honour to lead the IRF India Chapter at a time when India is witnessing transformative growth in transportation infrastructure. I look forward to working with industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to promote safer, smarter and sustainable mobility solutions aligned with global best practices.”
 

Under Dr. Gaikwad’s leadership, MSRDC has emerged as one of India’s leading infrastructure agencies, spearheading several landmark mobility and connectivity projects in Maharashtra.

About Dr. Anilkumar Gaikwad

Dr. Anilkumar Baliram Gaikwad is a distinguished civil engineer and public servant with over four decades of exemplary service in transforming Maharashtra’s infrastructure landscape. Currently serving as Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), he leads one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure portfolios.
 

His leadership has been instrumental in delivering landmark projects that have redefined connectivity in the state. Most notably, he played a pivotal role in the conceptualization, planning, and execution of the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg -- India’s fastest expressway. As Chief Engineer and later Joint Managing Director (Engineering), he oversaw the successful delivery of this 701 km super-communication corridor. featuring 65 flyovers, 24 interchanges, six tunnels, and hundreds of underpasses, completed at record speed. The expressway now serves as a major economic lifeline connecting Mumbai to Nagpur and 24 districts.
 

With deep experience across the Public Works Department (PWD) and MSRDC, Dr. Gaikwad has held multiple key positions including Secretary (Works), Government of Maharashtra. His contributions extend to iconic projects such as the Bandra-Varsova Sea Link, Thane Creek Bridge III, and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link.
 

A recipient of the Best Engineer Award from the Governor of Maharashtra (1999) and the Rashtriya Gaurav Puraskar (2005), Dr. Gaikwad is known for his engineering excellence, project management acumen, and commitment to public service. He is an active member of leading professional bodies including the Institution of Engineers (India), Indian Road Congress, Indian Building Congress, and the American Concrete Institute. Passionate about knowledge sharing, he has trained numerous PWD officers and published research on critical infrastructure challenges.

Tanya Singhal, VP - India, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet

Tanya Singhal is the co-founder of SolarArise, a large-scale, grid-connected solar platform she built and led for eight years. During her tenure, she raised and deployed over ₹2,000 crores in capital, backed by the European Investment Bank’s GEEREF fund and Kotak Mahindra’s Singapore-based infrastructure fund, to develop a 500 MWp portfolio of utility-scale solar assets across multiple states. She later led a landmark exit through a sale to an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) listed on the London Stock Exchange, making SolarArise one of the first Indian renewable platforms to achieve an LSE listing. She is an alumna of IIT Delhi and a former strategy consultant at BCG.
 

Commenting on the appointment, Woochong Um, CEO of Global Energy Alliance said, “Tanya has built and scaled clean energy platforms in one of the world’s most important and fastest-moving energy markets. India will play a defining role in how the energy transition unfolds, and it is already showing what modern, resilient power systems can look like. Her leadership will help us accelerate solutions that strengthen the grid, expand opportunity, and unlock investment at scale.”
 

Singhal has worked closely with India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. A recognized voice on climate and energy policy, she is a frequent speaker at leading global and national forums.
 

Tanya Singhal said, “The energy transition today is fundamentally about energy sovereignty: ensuring 24-hour, reliable clean power for every Indian. That requires modernized grids, battery storage, and the integration of distributed renewable energy. That’s precisely where Global Energy Alliance is focused, and what drew me to this role. Global Energy Alliance’s ability to bring together governments, private capital, and communities is key to unlocking solutions at scale. I’m excited to bring my experience building and scaling SolarArise to help accelerate that progress at a moment of real momentum.”
 

In India, Global Energy Alliance has supported a portfolio of 26 projects deployed and in development, on track to unlock approximately $1 billion in finance. These efforts are expected to improve access for 49 million people, support 2.2 million jobs and livelihoods, and reduce 166 million tons of emissions. In February 2026, the Global Energy Alliance launched the India Grids of the Future Accelerator with an initial $25 million to support grid modernization and integration of renewable energy.

Ms. Priyanka Mittal, Whole Time Director, KRBL Ltd.
 

In this role, Ms. Mittal will work alongside Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman, Eram Holdings, who has been nominated as Chair of the Indian side of the Council. The SIBC is a premier bilateral platform jointly established by FICCI and the Federation of Saudi Chambers (FSC). It plays a pivotal role in strengthening economic cooperation, enhancing trade relations, and facilitating investment opportunities between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
 

Ms. Mittal’s nomination underscores KRBL Limited’s continued commitment to fostering global partnerships and contributing to India’s growing economic engagement with key international markets. With her extensive experience in business leadership and international trade, she is well-positioned to further deepen strategic collaboration between the two nations.
 

KRBL Limited remains committed to supporting initiatives that drive international trade, promote sustainable growth, and enhance India’s position as a global agri-food leader.
 

With 135 years of legacy rooted in quality and a commitment to innovation, KRBL is fully integrated from farm to plate—from seed development and contact farming to processing, aging, packaging and retail distribution—ensuring top-tier standards at each step. The multi-brand food company is driven by a consumer-forward portfolio that includes the flagship brand of the company, India Gate, has been recognized as the World’s #1 Basmati Rice Brand along with 13 brands and a variety of products such as Regional Rice, Biryani Masalas, Edible Oils, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Chia Seeds, and Flax Seeds. 
 

As the largest rice miller in the world, the company’s dedication extends beyond products—KRBL believes that true success is linked to the well-being of the communities we serve and the health of our planet. With a deep-rooted philosophy of sustainability, the brand is committed to responsible practices that protect the environment and uphold social responsibility.

Professor Sindhwani joins Galgotias University from Indian School of Business, where she held leadership responsibilities as Associate Dean for Advanced Management Programmes and Executive Director of the Centre for Learning and Management Practice. She is also on the Board of Advisers for Jose Rizal University, Philippines.
 

Professor Sindhwani, joining from ISB, will strengthen academic excellence, research, innovation, and global learner opportunities at Galgotias University
 

She brings more than two decades of professional experience spanning academia and the corporate sector, with work exposure across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Over the years, she has contributed to executive learning programmes for leading global organisations including Google, Goldman Sachs, Walmart, Novartis, and Accenture.

Professor Sindhwani received her PhD in Corporate Strategy and Corporate Citizenship from Alliance Manchester Business School and her MSc from London School of Economics and Political Science.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and society, with a focus on how organisations design and implement strategy in volatile and complex environments. She is also the author of several books on leadership, management, decision-making, and strategy.

As Provost, Professor Sindhwani will work closely with the University leadership on academic quality, research culture, faculty development, curriculum advancement, student outcomes, and interdisciplinary opportunities across schools and programmes.

Speaking on her new role, Professor Saumya Sindhwani said, “Galgotias University has built impressive momentum and scale. I look forward to working with faculty, students, and colleagues to further strengthen academic quality, research, innovation, and opportunities for learners.”

Galgotias University has earned recognition in respected global assessments including QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education. The University today has a growing presence across engineering, management, law, health sciences, media, hospitality, and emerging technology disciplines. Professor Sindhwani’s appointment comes as the University enters its next phase of academic growth, deeper research engagement, and broader international outreach.

Anurag Yadav, Chief Executive Officer – Livasa Hospitals, welcomes Mr. Kamal Kant Gambhir to the organisation as Chief Financial Officer
 

Known for building robust financial systems, driving operational efficiency, and enabling sustainable business growth, Mr. Gambhir’s appointment comes at a significant time as Livasa Hospitals accelerates its expansion plans and strengthens its commitment to quality, affordable and patient-centric healthcare.

Welcoming him to the organization, Mr. Anurag Yadav, Chief Executive Officer, Livasa Hospitals, said, “We are pleased to welcome Mr. Kamal Kant Gambhir to the Livasa family. His deep financial expertise, strategic perspective, and proven leadership track record will be invaluable as we continue to scale our network and build a future-ready healthcare institution.”

A Chartered Accountant, Mr. Gambhir is also widely respected as a mentor and motivational speaker, with a passion for developing future leaders and contributing to social welfare initiatives.

Livasa Hospitals is a multi-speciality tertiary care hospital network with 750+ beds across Mohali, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, and Khanna. Supported by 250+ experienced doctors and 40+ super specialities, the network is committed to delivering quality, patient-centric, and affordable healthcare. With upcoming hospitals in Ludhiana and other key locations, Livasa Hospitals continues to strengthen access to advanced healthcare across North India.

Ashwinder brings with him a multidimensional perspective shaped by decades of experience across real estate, finance, and institutional leadership. Currently Co-Founder at BCD Royale and Chairman of the CII Real Estate Committee, he continues to play an active role in shaping sectoral conversations in India and globally. He has also played a key role in building the BCD Group brand, which is now increasingly seen as an active real estate development platform after he joined hands with the group.
 

Ashwinder R. Singh
 

Further, he has also been appointed as Mentor at Earth Fund, a venture capital platform backed by leading national developer Brigade Group and Gruhas of Nikhil Kamath, focused on investing in PropTech, UrbanTech, and sustainability-led innovations within the Indian ecosystem.
 

Over the course of his career, Ashwinder has held leadership roles as CEO of Bhartiya Urban, ANAROCK, and JLL Residential, where he drove property sales exceeding $5 billion and oversaw the development of a 150-acre integrated township. His earlier stints with institutions such as Citibank, ICICI Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Bajaj Housing Finance have equipped him with a deep understanding of financial systems and capital flows within real estate.
 

Commenting on his reappointment, Ashwinder R. Singh said, “I am pleased to continue my association with NAR-India in this advisory capacity. The sector is at an important juncture, with increasing emphasis on transparency, professionalism, and long-term value creation. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and members to support the industry’s continued evolution and contribute to strengthening best practices across the ecosystem.”
 

A three-time bestselling author, award-winning speaker, and the voice behind the widely followed newsletter Open House, Ashwinder has been recognised as the Real Estate Person of the Year 2025 and Best Business & Money Author of 2024. He is also Chief Advisor, Real Estate, to Republic Media Network and the face of R. Estate, Republic TV’s real estate channel, with his insights frequently shaping discourse around policy, markets, and industry trends.
 

In his capacity as Chairman of the CII Real Estate Committee and Mission Chairman for international delegations to the UAE, Singapore and London, he continues to contribute to strengthening India’s global real estate outlook.

Ujjwal Pratap joins Galgotias University to lead strategic communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement

In his new role at the University, Pratap will lead strategic communications, media relations, thought leadership initiatives, internal communication systems, and brand-building efforts across key stakeholder groups including students, parents, faculty, recruiters, regulators, and global partners.

Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University  said, “As a young university, we have made steady progress and evolved to be amongst the leading private universities in the country, with a substantial student and faculty community across diverse disciplines. The University is entering a new phase marked by sharper academic ambition, wider external engagement, and increased national visibility. Pratap brings valuable experience across institutions and international organisations, and his appointment will help strengthen how we communicate our academic excellence, research outcomes, institutional progress, strategic priorities, and public purpose.”

Speaking on his appointment, Ujjwal Pratap said, “Galgotias University stands at an important juncture in its evolution, with growing academic scale, wider recognition, and expanding ambitions. My endeavour will be to build a communications architecture that is contemporary and keeps the information needs of our stakeholders at its centre, while ensuring that the achievements, ideas, and aspirations of the University are articulated with consistency and substance.”

Pratap brings more than two decades of national and international experience across higher education, financial services, consulting, business intelligence, and corporate communications. In his most recent role, he served as Director of Branding and Communications at Ahmedabad University, where he led institutional brand strategy, media engagement, thought leadership, admissions communications, digital positioning, and strategic campaigns.

Earlier in his career, he held strategic roles at leading international organisations such as The Bank of New York Mellon and Teleperformance. He has also worked with Bain & Company, one of the world’s leading management consulting firms, on engagement with international media across North America, South East Asia, and EMEA, as well as executive communication and leadership engagement initiatives. Across these assignments, he has worked on executive visibility, media relations, market intelligence, stakeholder communications, and reputation management.

He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science from University of Delhi, completed an executive education program in finance from Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, and also holds an LLB degree.

The appointment comes as Galgotias University continues to expand its academic footprint, deepen industry and global partnerships, and build greater visibility for its work across teaching, research, innovation, and student outcomes.

Media OutReach Newswire Appoints Pamela Phua as Managing Partner, Southeast Asia
 

Pamela brings over 20 years of experience in public relations and integrated communications. Having engaged Media OutReach Newswire's global press release distribution, she developed a first-hand appreciation of the newswire's core promise: guaranteed news posting on real media with domain authority, direct access to over 200,000 real journalists and editors through a proprietary international media database to achieve earned media coverage, post-release reports with data insights, as well as its pioneering PR Campaign Intelligence reports for C-suites that give clients a clear, measurable picture of communications impact.

"I have seen how Media OutReach Newswire has genuinely changed the way brands communicate beyond their home markets, reaching journalists to build cross-border media relations and garner earned media coverage. The newswire's ability to guarantee verbatim placement on authoritative news sites with high domain trust – ensures that key messages are cited by the AI models that now shape how the world discovers brands. This is a capability that is much needed now by PR, communications and marketing professionals," said Pamela.

"With guaranteed news posting on real news sites, there is full control in delivering campaign key messages to maximise PR impact, in addition to achieving quality earned media coverage on top of that. I am inspired by the newswire service as a key partner for Southeast Asia's most ambitious companies and strategic communicators in telling the region's growth story," she added.

The appointment follows the recent naming of Ms Kitty Lee as Managing Partner, Greater China, signalling a strategic push by Media OutReach Newswire to connect Asian brands, companies and governments to global journalists and audiences.

Powering the "East-to-Global" Narrative with SEO, GEO, AI Citation and Earned Media
Southeast Asia is producing a new generation of regionally confident, globally ambitious brands. At the same time, deepening trade and investment ties between Greater China and Southeast Asia are driving a surge in East-to-East communications, alongside growing East-to-global expansion.

Ms Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said, "We are witnessing a structural shift where Asia is increasingly driving global innovation, with Asian brands expanding their business across Southeast Asia, ASEAN, Asia Pacific, as well as international markets. Media OutReach Newswire's Total PR and Communications Solution is focused on supporting these brands as they develop corporate and brand messaging that builds trust with journalists, editors, investors and customers."

Recognising the importance of AI-citation, Media OutReach Newswire recently launched JSON-LD (JavaScript Object Notation for Linked Data) Schema Markup to enhance the technical infrastructure of clients' press releases and optimise AI visibility. The company continues to focus on adopting AI across its press release distribution network, workflows, and post-release reporting.

As AI algorithms trust news posted on real media, Media OutReach Newswire's guaranteed news posting empowers AI discoverability. The newswire's guaranteed news posting partners in Singapore and Asia Pacific (APAC) include leading media Asia News Network (ANN), AsiaOne, CNA, Vulcan Post, MoneyFM89.3 , Malay Mail, The Sun Daily, Dagang News, MySinchew, Vietnam News, Vietnam Plus and The Manila Times to name a few.

"With a global press release distribution network spanning APAC, USA, Canada, UK, and Europe, as well as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, we are uniquely positioned to help Southeast Asian companies and governments build lasting brand equity and trust globally. I am excited to have Pamela on board to help our clients leverage our unique ability to power both SEO and GEO, as well as earned media, internationally," Jennifer added.

Before her senior management roles at consultancies including Ruder Finn, Ogilvy PR and Omnicom PR Group over the past eight years, Pamela held in-house leadership roles heading Marketing and PR at airline HK Express, as well as Communications and Guest Relations at airline Scoot (under the SIA Group).
 

About Media OutReach Newswire

Media OutReach Newswire is Asia Pacific's first global newswire, serving as a trusted partner to the media and PR professionals at corporations, agencies, and governments across the region and the globe.

Founded in 2009 as a champion of the PR industry, Media OutReach Newswire leverages next-generation and AI technology to redefine press release distribution and reporting, with data insights and PR campaign intelligence, providing total communications solutions for PR professionals.

With a global network of 200,000 journalists and editors, over 70,000 media titles, 1,500 media partners, and more than 40 languages, Media OutReach Newswire is the only newswire with guaranteed verbatim postings on real news sites. Press releases on authentic media are trusted by search engines and AI models, powering both SEO and AI search GEO, surfacing brands for LLM citations.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices across China, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the global press release distribution network spans Asia Pacific, ASEAN, and Southeast Asia, the US, Canada, South and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

For more information about our services, solutions and network, please visit www.media-outreach.com.

Santosh Mishra

In his new role, Santosh will lead the development and execution of Alta’s AI-focused initiatives, with a strong emphasis on integrating cutting edge technologies into the learning ecosystem. He will work closely with academic and product teams to strengthen the institution’s AI-first approach and ensure that learners are equipped with industry relevant skills aligned with the evolving demands of the technology landscape.

An alumnus of the NIT , Tiruchirappalli, Santosh has built a strong reputation as an educator and mentor in the technology space. Over the years, he has guided more than 50,000 students globally, helping them navigate technical interviews and build sustainable careers in software engineering. His structured teaching approach and practical insights have made him a trusted voice among aspiring engineers and working professionals alike.

Santosh is also an accomplished author, having written more than ten technical books focused on software engineering principles and system architecture. His work simplifies complex concepts for learners and bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real world application. Beyond publishing, his contributions to tech education have been widely recognised across leading media platforms including AajTak, ABP News, Economic Times, Humans of Bombay, and JoshTalks. His impact earned him a feature at Times Square, underscoring his growing influence in the global education and technology ecosystem.

This appointment comes at a time when Alta School of Technology is strengthening its focus on building an AI-led curriculum that prepares students for the next wave of technological transformation. The institution continues to invest in leadership and innovation to enhance its offerings and expand its reach among learners seeking practical and future ready education.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashish Munjal, Founder of Alta School of Technology, added, “At Alta, we believe that the future of education lies in bridging the gap between learning and real world application. Santosh’s experience across leading technology organisations and his deep engagement with the student community will help us accelerate this vision. His leadership will further strengthen our commitment to delivering high quality, outcome driven education powered by emerging technologies.”

Harshit Agarwal, Founding Director at Alta School of Technology, said, “We are delighted to welcome Santosh to Alta. His strong foundation in technology combined with his passion for teaching makes him uniquely positioned to drive our AI innovation efforts. As we continue to evolve our curriculum, his insights will play a crucial role in shaping programs that are both industry aligned and learner centric.”

Sharing his thoughts on joining the organization, Santosh Mishra said, “I am excited to be a part of Alta School of Technology at a time when AI is redefining how we learn and work. I look forward to contributing to an ecosystem that prioritises practical learning and empowers students to build meaningful careers. Together, we aim to create programs that not only teach technology but also enable learners to think critically and innovate with confidence.”

With this appointment, Alta School of Technology continues to reinforce its position as a forward looking institution focused on innovation, scalability, and impactful learning experiences in the field of technology education.

About Alta School of Technology
Alta School of Technology is an AI-first computer science institute focused on delivering industry-integrated, hands-on learning. Founded by Ashish Munjal and Harshit Aggarwal, Alta combines real-world projects, expert mentorship, and a portfolio-driven approach to build future-ready engineers.

Shri Sanjay Khanna, Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL
 

The appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet based on the recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Shri Khanna will assume charge, effective from the date of assumption of office, and will hold the position till his superannuation on May 31, 2029, or until further orders.

With extensive experience in refinery operations and project execution, Shri Khanna is expected to further strengthen BPCL’s strategic focus on value-added products, petrochemical integration, operational efficiency, and long-term energy security, while driving sustainable growth in an evolving energy landscape.

Shri Sanjay Khanna is a seasoned industry leader with over three decades of experience in refinery operations and technical services. A Chemical Engineering graduate from National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli and a postgraduate in Finance Management from University of Mumbai, Shri Khanna has played a pivotal role in strengthening BPCL’s refining and petrochemical capabilities.

Prior to his appointment as C&MD, he served as Director (Refineries) and has previously headed BPCL’s Mumbai and Kochi Refineries, driving operational excellence and capacity augmentation. As Executive Director of Kochi Refinery, he successfully led the commissioning of BPCL’s first niche petrochemical venture—the Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP)—despite significant challenges during the pandemic, marking a key milestone in BPCL’s petrochemical journey.

Over the years, Shri Khanna has anchored several prestigious projects involving the establishment of new process units across BPCL’s refineries, contributing to enhanced efficiency, higher value realization, and technological advancement.

He also serves on the Boards of Bharat Petro Resources Limited, Petronet LNG Limited, and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, strengthening BPCL’s integration across the energy value chain. Additionally, Shri Khanna is the Chairperson of the Technical Committee for Petroleum Refineries under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, contributing to policy and technical advancements in India’s refining sector.

About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL)

Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the club of companies having greater operational & financial autonomy.

Bharat Petroleum’s Refineries at Mumbai, Kochi and Bina have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, fuel stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 25,300+ Fuel Stations, over 1000+ CNG stations, over 6,250+ LPG distributorships, 440+ Lubes distributorships, 81 POL storage locations, 56 LPG Bottling Plants, 81 Aviation Service Stations, 5 Lube blending plants and 6 cross-country pipelines.

Bharat Petroleum is integrating its strategy, investments, environmental and social ambitions to move towards a sustainable planet. The company has Electric vehicle charging stations at 6800+ Fuel Stations. With a focus on sustainable solutions, the company is developing an ecosystem and a road-map to become a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Bharat Petroleum has been partnering communities by supporting several initiatives connected primarily in the areas of education, water conservation, skill development, health, community development, capacity building and employee volunteering. With ‘Energising Lives’ as its core purpose, Bharat Petroleum’s vision is to be an admired global energy company leveraging talent, innovation & technology.

The "Indian Tigress" Ritu Phogat Becomes a Brand Ambassador for Parimatch Sports

Ritu Phogat won gold at the Commonwealth Championship and silver at the Under-23 World Championship before transitioning to professional mixed martial arts. In MMA, she competed in ONE Championship, reaching the final of the prestigious ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix. She solidified her image as the “Indian Tigress” thanks to her aggressive, technical fighting style and determination in the ring.

“My goal is to become the first Indian world champion in MMA and to pave the way for other women athletes. Every fight is a chance to show that perseverance and courage matter more than any doubts or obstacles, and my partnership with Parimatch Sports helps me move forward on the path to victory,” emphasized Ritu Phogat.

Her transition from wrestling to MMA was a bold step: Ritu gave up potential Olympic opportunities to pursue a career in a new sport, demonstrating a willingness to take risks for greater goals and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

“Our partnership with Ritu Phogat reflects our commitment to supporting outstanding athletes. Her achievements and remarkable charisma make her an ideal brand ambassador. Parimatch Sports, equally dynamic and vibrant, draws inspiration from champions and shares their drive for success,” highlighted the Parimatch Sports Press Office.

Parimatch and Ritu Phogat join forces to inspire athletes and promote women’s sports, highlighting how the journey of the “Indian Tigress” embodies resilience and passion that fuel extraordinary achievements. Their collaboration serves as a powerful testament, motivating aspiring athletes to face challenges boldly and pursue their goals with relentless drive.

About Parimatch Sports
Parimatch Sports is a high-quality sportswear brand inspired by the world’s top athletes and designed to equip every brave soul on their winning track. Trusted by international stars like Trinidadian cricket legend Sunil Narine, Parimatch Sports creates professional on-field kits for football and cricket teams, including its partnership with the star cricket team Maharashtra Tycoons, alongside a comprehensive range of stylish workout wear for fans. The brand stands out with exclusive designs inspired by the greatest athletes and their victories on the pitch. Parimatch Sports aims to expand the horizons of Asia’s love for sports, bringing it to a new level.

The appointment marks a defining moment in BetterCloud's evolution, from leading SaaS management platform to a foundational pillar of CoreStack's enterprise governance vision. With the combined entity now serving over 2,000 customers globally, governing more than $6 billion in annual cloud consumption and $35 billion in SaaS spend, the need for experienced, execution-focused leadership has never been greater.

Leadership Appointment

Raj Kunnath brings an exceptional combination of operational depth and strategic reach to the role. Having led more than 80 acquisitions throughout his career, he has built a reputation for turning complex integrations into competitive advantages. His experience spans enterprise SaaS platforms, go-to-market execution, and global operating models, with high-impact transformation roles at organizations including Microsoft and major global financial institutions.

At CoreStack, Kunnath has already operated at the intersection of technology, business, and strategy. As President of BetterCloud, he will drive integration execution, customer and partner success, and the next phase of organic growth, with a particular focus on enabling the Agentic Governance OS vision that CoreStack and BetterCloud are building together.

"BetterCloud has built something rare: a true category, a loyal customer base, and a platform that sits at the center of how modern enterprises manage their SaaS environments. My focus is clear: integrate with excellence, serve our customers without disruption, and unlock the full potential of what CoreStack and BetterCloud can achieve together. The governance challenge enterprises face today, across cloud, SaaS, and AI, is exactly the problem we're uniquely positioned to solve. - Raj Kunnath, President, BetterCloud.

CoreStack Leadership Perspective

Ez Natarajan, CEO of CoreStack, underscored the strategic importance of the appointment and the combined company's ambition.

"Raj is exactly the kind of leader this moment demands: someone who can execute at pace, integrate with precision, and inspire the teams and customers who make BetterCloud what it is. AI is reshaping how enterprises operate: from systems we manage to systems that act. The challenge is no longer just managing infrastructure or applications; it is governing outcomes at machine speed. Raj will ensure we deliver on that promise, and do it in a way that earns the trust of every customer and partner we serve." - Ez Natarajan, CEO, CoreStack.

A Founder's Continued Commitment

In a further signal of confidence in BetterCloud's trajectory, David Politis, founder of BetterCloud and the pioneer who coined the term "SaaSOps" and built the category from the ground up, will join the combined entity as Strategic Advisor.

Politis founded BetterCloud in 2011 with a vision that SaaS applications needed their own operational discipline. Over more than a decade, he raised $187 million, scaled the company to hundreds of employees across New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco, and established BetterCloud as the definitive leader in SaaS management and security. He authored two landmark industry books, The IT Leader's Guide to SaaSOps (Volumes 1 and 2), and has been featured in The New York Times, Fortune, CIO, and the BBC. His continued involvement as Strategic Advisor brings category-defining insight and deep customer community trust to the leadership team.

"I built BetterCloud because I believed the enterprise world needed a dedicated discipline for managing and securing SaaS, and I've spent over a decade proving that out. Watching that vision grow into a category, and now seeing it become part of CoreStack's broader governance platform, is exactly the evolution I hoped for. Raj brings the execution depth and integration expertise this next chapter requires, and I'm excited to stay close to the work." - David Politis, Founder, BetterCloud & Strategic Advisor.

About The Combined Platform

Together, CoreStack and BetterCloud deliver the industry's first Agentic Governance Operating System: a unified control plane that governs cloud infrastructure, SaaS applications, and AI-driven systems continuously and at machine speed. The combined platform enables enterprises to orchestrate autonomous systems, enforce human-defined governance intent without manual intervention, and unify FinOps across cloud and SaaS into a single operational model.

About CoreStack

CoreStack is the leading Agentic Governance OS for FinOps, security, and compliance in the AI-accelerated enterprise. It enables organizations to achieve Velocity with Control by continuously and intelligently governing cost, risk, compliance, and operations across cloud, SaaS, and AI-driven systems, operating at machine speed so enterprises can scale faster without increasing risk or cost. Trusted by over 1,000 global enterprises and partners across 40+ countries, CoreStack governs more than $3B in annual cloud consumption.

Learn more at corestack.com.

About BetterCloud

BetterCloud is the leading all-in-one SaaS management platform that helps organizations manage, secure, and govern cloud applications across their enterprise. Trusted by thousands of customers and more than 2 million users, BetterCloud oversees $35B in annual SaaS transactions and delivers unmatched expertise and support, as validated by customers on G2 and industry analyst reports from Gartner and Forrester.

Learn more at bettercloud.com.
 

Media OutReach Newswire Appoints Kitty Lee as Managing Partner, Greater China to Spearhead Chinese Brand Expansion into Global Markets

Kitty brings over two decades of experience in the PR industry. Having used Media OutReach Newswire's press release distribution service for several years, she was impressed by the company's deep understanding of client needs and the quality of its deliverables. "I have seen the important role that Media OutReach Newswire has played in my work and its impact to my clients. I am inspired by the opportunity to contribute my knowledge, drive change, and foster innovation for the advancement and efficiency of the PR industry," she said.

Through innovation and AI-driven workflow efficiency, Media OutReach Newswire is redefining press release distribution, enabling press releases to serve multi-functional roles. Media OutReach Newswire connects brands with journalists to maximise earned media and build media relationships worldwide. Where PR professionals once pitched stories to secure as many published key messages as possible, Media OutReach Newswire's verbatim guaranteed online news postings on trusted media websites ensure 100% delivery. This solution helps companies strengthen brand reputation and build trust with customers and investors, while powering SEO and GEO for AI-driven search. Its pioneering multiformat post-release reports deliver data insights and PR Campaign Intelligence on coverage, public reach, and broader communications impact, for C-Suites reporting.

Ms Jennifer Kok, Founder and CEO of Media OutReach Newswire, said, "The growing demand for an authentic newswire partner has created a clear opportunity for us to expand in GBA and Greater China. Kitty brings exactly what we need: deep relationships across the region's PR and marketing community, and a clear understanding of what brand communications must achieve. Her in-depth industry knowledge will guide our market expansion and product development as we help Chinese companies build their brand reputation across Southeast Asia, ASEAN, Asia Pacific, the USA, Canada, Latin America, UK & Europe, the Middle East, and Africa."

Founded 17 years ago, Media OutReach Newswire is trusted by government agencies, corporations, and SMEs across Greater China to build their brand reputation globally. Clients that have entrusted their global communications campaigns to Media OutReach Newswire include the Information Services Department Hong Kong, China News Services, New Taipei City Government, Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Huawei, Alibaba, OPPO, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hang Lung Properties, Lee Kum Kee, TVBS, Macau Tourism Board, Galaxy Entertainment Group, and fast-growing enterprises such as XTransfer, Ecovacs, Sleekflow, KPay and Innolux Corporation.

Kitty joins from FleishmanHillard, where she served as Senior Vice President & Partner, advising clients across retail, property, healthcare and travel & tourism sectors. She holds a Master's degree in Education from the University of Nottingham and a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Hong Kong Baptist University. A Cantonese native, she is fluent in English and Mandarin, and will be based in Hong Kong.

About Media OutReach Newswire
Media OutReach Newswire is Asia Pacific's first global newswire, serving as a trusted partner to the media and PR professionals at corporations, agencies, and governments across the region and the globe.

Founded in 2009 as a champion of the PR industry, Media OutReach Newswire leverages next-generation and AI technology to redefine press release distribution and reporting, with data insights and PR campaign intelligence, providing total communications solutions for PR professionals.

With a global network of 200,000 journalists and editors, 70,000+ media titles, 1,500 media partners, and more than 40 languages, Media OutReach Newswire is the only newswire with guaranteed verbatim postings on real news sites. Press releases on authentic media are trusted by search engines and AI models, powering both SEO and AI search GEO, surfacing brands for LLM citations.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices across China, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the global press release distribution network spans Asia Pacific, ASEAN, and Southeast Asia, the US, Canada, South and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

For more information about our services, solutions and network, please visit www.media-outreach.com.

A Visionary Leader for a Growing Giant

Tariq Malik joins PlayboxTV with a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the media, telecom, and digital entertainment sectors. An alumnus of the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad with an MBA in Marketing from Kashmir University, Malik is widely recognised as a powerhouse in driving P&L management and business development.

Tariq Malik, CBO PlayboxTV

Prior to joining PlayboxTV, Malik served as the Vice President, Business at OTTplay (HT Media), where he was instrumental in scaling the platform’s subscriber base and refining its content aggregation strategy. His career also includes a high-impact tenure as Vice President at DEN Cable, where he managed massive portfolios across OTT, Broadband, and Value-Added Services.

Samson Jesudas, Director PlayboxTV

"Tariq's arrival is a definitive moment for PlayboxTV," said Samson Jesudas, Director of PlayboxTV. "His deep-rooted expertise in the cable and OTT ecosystem, combined with his visionary approach to business scaling, aligns perfectly with our mission. We are not just building an app; we are building the future of digital consumption, and Tariq is the right leader to drive that growth."

Strategic Expansion and C-Suite Strength

The appointment of Malik comes at a time of unprecedented momentum for PlayboxTV. As the platform transitions from a startup to an industry titan, its leadership bench has been fortified with seasoned experts to ensure sustainable and exponential growth. Malik joins a C-suite focused on:

• Nationwide Market Penetration: Leveraging last-mile cable operators to bring premium OTT content to every corner of India.

• Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening ties with global content providers and ISPs to offer unparalleled value to the end consumer.

Why the Industry is Watching

PlayboxTV has already carved out a significant niche as a "Super Aggregator," offering access to over 30+ OTT platforms and 500+ Live TV channels through a single sign-on. By hiring a CBO of Malik’s caliber, the company is sending a clear message to the industry: PlayboxTV is ready to lead the global shift toward unified entertainment.

"I am thrilled to join PlayboxTV at such a pivotal juncture," said Tariq Malik, CBO. "The company has already laid a phenomenal foundation. My focus will be on accelerating our revenue streams, enhancing our partner ecosystem, and ensuring that PlayboxTV remains the most trusted and sought-after name in the digital entertainment space."

About PlayboxTV

Founded in 2017 by Aamir Mulani, PlayboxTV is a Mumbai-based OTT video aggregation platform. Through PlayboxTV (content aggregation) and PlayShots (content production), the company provides a seamless, cost-effective entertainment experience for millions of users, bridging the gap between content creators and consumers through a robust network of ISPs and local cable operators.

PlayboxTV Email: support@playboxtv.in 

Website: www.playboxtv.in

Manish Syag, Managing Director, Mars Pet Nutrition
 

Manish brings over two decades of FMCG leadership experience, having held senior sales leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and GSK Consumer Healthcare. Manish joined Mars in 2024 as Chief Sales Officer and has played a key role in shaping the next phase of Mars India's pet nutrition growth story. An alumnus of IIM Lucknow, Manish is widely regarded as a strong people leader with a proven ability to scale businesses while building high-performing teams. In his new role, Manish will drive a focused India Growth Agenda, build world-class operational capabilities, and strengthen the company’s leadership in the pet food industry one of the fastest emerging FMCG categories in the country.
 

Speaking on his appointment, Manish Syag said, “India is at a defining moment for the pet food market, which is expected to grow into a USD 2 billion category in a decade, evolving much as mainstream FMCG did in its early growth years, driven by access, awareness, and trust. I am excited to take on this role and lead the next phase of growth for our business in India, serving pets and pet parents across the country with trusted, high-quality packaged pet food by further strengthening our portfolio of deeply loved brands and expanding our market presence. At the heart of this journey will be our Mars Five Principles, and our Purpose: “A Better World For Pets.”
 

Manish succeeds Salil Murthy, who has been elevated to the role of Global Vice President, Enterprise Transformation, Mars Pet Nutrition. In this global leadership role, Salil will focus on advancing Mars Pet Nutrition’s long-term transformation agenda, strengthening leadership and organisational capability, and driving growth through building a simpler, faster and more future-ready operating model. Salil will be based in London, the site of Mars Pet Nutrition’s global headquarters.
 

Talking about his new role, Salil Murthy said, “I am excited to take on this new global role and help shape the future of Mars Pet Nutrition. This role offers an opportunity to focus on driving accelerated growth for the global Pet Nutrition business through unleashing the power of our associates across the world, strengthening our strategic resource allocation process and our digital and AI capabilities, and accelerating transformation to win with pet parents and our customers in every market. Leading the India Pet Nutrition business has been deeply fulfilling, and I'm incredibly proud of the growth we have driven and the high-performing team we have built over the last few years. I have every confidence in Manish’s leadership to take the business forward in its next phase of growth.”
 

Francisco Fernandez, Regional President, Mars Pet Nutrition - Rapid Growth Markets, said, “India is one of the most important growth markets for Mars Pet Nutrition. Salil’s elevation reflects the strong, purpose-led business he and the team have built in India and the depth of leadership talent emerging from this market. Manish’s appointment demonstrates our confidence in his expertise, leadership capability, and deep understanding of pet parents and customers in India. Together, these appointments reinforce our commitment to developing leaders from within and further strengthening India’s role in our global strategy and future growth of the business.”
 

Mars Pet Nutrition has been present in India since 2002, following the launch of PEDIGREE. In 2007, Mars established the country’s first pet food manufacturing facility, marking a key milestone in the development of the organized pet food category in India. Today, Mars Pet Nutrition serves millions of pets and pet parents across the country through its portfolio of trusted, high-quality products for both dogs and cats.

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

In this capacity, Mr. Anand will represent Monaco across India, supporting the strengthening of bilateral engagement in priority areas including trade, investment, sustainability, culture, sports, and institutional cooperation.
 

Sumeet Anand, Founder of IndSight Growth Partners, Appointed Honorary Consul General of the Principality of Monaco in India
 

Under the leadership of Prince Albert II, Monaco while the world’s second-smallest sovereign state stands among the world’s most distinguished nations, widely respected for its political stability, exceptional quality of life, global outlook, and pioneering leadership in sustainability, environmental stewardship, and international sporting excellence, including its iconic Formula One Grand Prix.
 

Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Anand said, “It is a profound privilege and honour to be entrusted with this responsibility by the Principality of Monaco. I am committed to supporting meaningful engagement between India and Monaco across areas of shared priority and long-term partnership. I look forward to working closely with the Ambassador of Monaco to India, H.E. Mr. Didier Gamerdinger, to further strengthen this important relationship.”
 

Sumeet Anand is a leading cross-border strategic advisor to senior leadership of global corporations, particularly European companies and Indian enterprises, on business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and investments. He is the Founder of IndSight Growth Partners, a specialised cross-border advisory firm working with boards, top management, multinational corporations, investment funds, and family offices on India–Europe growth strategies and long-term partnerships.
 

Through IndSight Growth Partners, Mr. Anand advises clients across sectors including consumer goods, manufacturing, technology, and services. Prior to establishing IndSight, he was part of the founding team of Pernod Ricard India and later served as CEO and Country Manager for leading European multinational groups.
 

Mr. Anand is an alumnus of HEC Paris and a recipient of France’s highest civilian honour, the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, in recognition of his contribution to business and to strengthening Indo-French ties. He is the Co-founder and President of the France India Foundation and a former President of the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Santosh Tiwari

Welcoming Santosh, Co-founder & MD TSI, Puneet Kumar said, “TSI aims to unlock India Advantage of Talent & Technology for the global enterprise and leverage its momentum in becoming top three economies in the world. With Santosh joining, we strengthen our capability in delivering our clients in such domain as AI, Quantum, Space, Biotech, Skilling and other emerging tech areas.”

Tech Setting India is powered by a leadership team that has witnessed and driven exponential growth — 10x increase in revenue, a 300x expansion in workforce, and multi-city scale across India. The leadership team have been instrumental in shaping policies and frameworks across domains including SEZ, defence offsets, renewable energy, India’s AI roadmap, agri-tech, labour reforms, economic affairs & taxation reforms and foreign investment.

Santosh has been in the senior leadership position as a Director, in APCO — a Washington DC headquartered global strategic advisory and advocacy firm. He will take over his new role as TSI CEO from March onwards.

Expressing the need for an enabling platform, Co-founder TSI, Sandeep Bhatnagar said, “TSI wants to leverage India’s efforts of tech-powered growth for clients in treading the complex dynamics of an accelerated economy.”

“Taking up mantle of TSI CEO is a huge responsible to deliver clients results based on trust, quality and partnership. I thank TSI Co-founders for this opportunity,” said Santosh Tiwari.

About Tech Setting India (TSI) Pvt. Ltd.

Website: techsettingindia.com.

Danube announces Brett Lee as global ambassador
 

Brett Lee’s global recognition, credibility, and strong connection with audiences worldwide will support Danube’s efforts to effectively communicate its core values of performance, reliability, and innovation, while reinforcing its position as a future-focused global real estate developer.
 

Commenting on the association, Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group, said, “This partnership reflects our commitment to aligning with personalities who embody excellence, credibility, and a winning mindset. Brett’s professional journey mirrors Danube Group’s culture of consistent growth and long-term value creation. As we continue to expand our global footprint, Brett’s association will play a key role in strengthening our brand narrative and enhancing engagement with customers, investors, and partners across global markets.”
 

Expressing his enthusiasm, Brett Lee said, “I am delighted to join Danube and Mr. Rizwan Sajan as Global Ambassador. Danube Properties has built an outstanding reputation grounded in trust, innovation, and execution excellence. Their iconic 1% per month payment plan has already transformed the market, and when combined with fully furnished apartments, ahead-of-schedule project delivery, and convertible home concepts, it truly positions Mr. Rizwan Sajan and Danube as trendsetters in the industry. I am excited to be part of this inspiring growth journey.”
 

With Brett Lee supporting promotional and brand-building initiatives, Danube aims to strengthen emotional connections with global audiences, enhance brand recall, and further reinforce its reputation as a future-ready real estate conglomerate.

About Danube Properties

Danube Properties, a subsidiary of the Danube Group founded by Rizwan Sajan in 1993, is one of the UAE’s leading private real estate developers and the pioneer of the region’s groundbreaking 1% payment plan.
 

Renowned for offering fully furnished homes with over 40 lifestyle amenities, Danube Properties has earned a strong reputation for timely project delivery, superior build quality, and customer trust. Driven by innovation, accessibility, and reliability, the company continues to redefine modern urban living across the region.

Sahil Lakshmanan

Sahil has been a core member of the CarePal Group leadership team since October 2023 and has played a pivotal role in building CarePal Money’s healthcare lending marketplace.

As Chief Business Officer, he led the creation of India’s multi-lender healthcare lending marketplace, expanded the company’s presence to 100+ hospitals, and launched innovative healthcare financing solutions including 0% EMI loans, reimbursement financing, and instant discharge products. Under his leadership, CarePal Money also crossed an annualised loan disbursement run rate of Rs. 100 crore within its first two years of operations.

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Sahil brings deep expertise in lending, partnerships, and platform-scale execution. In his new role, he will focus on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and strengthening CarePal Money’s role in the Group’s integrated healthcare financing ecosystem.

Speaking on the appointment, Piyush Jain, Khushboo Jain and Vikas Kaul, the Co-Founders of CarePal Group said, “Sahil has been instrumental in shaping CarePal Money from the ground up - from building India’s first integrated healthcare lending marketplace to earning the trust of hospitals and lending partners nationwide. His deep understanding of healthcare financing, coupled with strong execution capabilities, makes him the right leader to take CarePal Money into its next phase of growth.”

“CarePal Money was created to reduce the financial stress families face at the time of medical need,” said Sahil Lakshmanan. “As CEO, my priority is to scale this platform responsibly, strengthen our partnerships with hospitals and lenders, and continue building products that make healthcare more accessible and affordable.”

CarePal Money is part of the CarePal Group, which also includes Impact Guru (medical crowdfunding) and CarePal Secure (healthcare protection solutions), together serving patients, hospitals, and healthcare partners across India.

About CarePal Money

CarePal Money aims to create a marketplace providing healthcare loans at affordable prices to patients. The brand's vision is to enable access to affordable healthcare loans through collaborations with leading lending institutions across the country. Patients with partner hospitals will be the key beneficiaries.

Sheraz Hasan

Sheraz brings a wealth of expertise in global marketing, GTM strategy, and scaling businesses in high-growth markets from his leadership role at Amazon Web Services (AWS). During his decade at AWS, Sheraz was instrumental in building and leading the marketing engine that propelled growth across the APJ and India regions. His appointment underscores the critical importance of the Asia-Pacific region, with Singapore and ASEAN serving as a vital strategic hub and gateway for global brands seeking to connect with diverse, digitally-advanced audiences.

"Sheraz has a rare combination of large-scale platform marketing experience and deep expertise in the APJ and India markets. His insights on Account based marketing (ABM), ecosystem coverage and scaling into new regions will be invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth," said Prateek N. Kumar, Founder & CEO of NeoNiche. 

Sheraz agrees, "NeoNiche is poised to redefine its category. I am excited to contribute my experience in building global marketing engines to help capture this opportunity and achieve hyper-growth. Success in today's landscape requires a nuanced understanding of both global scalability and key regional dynamics, particularly in high-potential markets like ASEAN."

His appointment reaffirms NeoNiche's commitment to strategic growth and the scaling of its innovative capabilities. NeoNiche Integrated Solutions is a rapidly growing, technology-driven agency that is setting benchmarks in experiential marketing by prioritizing creative engagement and global expansion by catering to a global audience.

Divya Kiran, Vice President, Human Resources
 

Divya brings over two decades of strategic leadership experience, helping technology companies navigate transitions during periods of growth and structural change. She has held senior HR leadership roles at some of the world's leading technology organizations, including Google, Hike Messenger, Ericsson, Myntra, and Rakuten Group. One of the early HR executives at Google India, Divya, partnered closely with leadership to build foundational organizational and staffing processes, contributing to a 90% employee satisfaction score through targeted retention and people development initiatives.
 

“As Aurigo scales, disciplined execution depends on clear accountability and repeatable operating frameworks,” said Balaji Sreenivasan, CEO and Founder of Aurigo Software. “Establishing a global HR function is a deliberate investment in governance, leadership depth, and organizational rigor. Divya will partner with the executive leadership team to build the systems required to sustain performance, manage complexity, and drive long-term value creation.”
 

Divya brings deep expertise in building scalable HR systems and delivering measurable business outcomes, which are core to Aurigo’s next phase of growth. She has led multi-region HR operations across APAC and EMEA, built high-performing teams across tech, product, and enterprise functions, and championed diversity and inclusion initiatives. Divya has completed the Global Fellow Program in Talent Management at the Wharton School and a Global Lead Tech MBA from EADA Business School.
 

“Joining Aurigo at this turning point, as the company expands worldwide, is energizing,” said Divya. “I start with listening - understanding what truly helps teams deliver their best work - then design people strategies that improve collaboration and make execution simpler. I’m looking forward to working alongside Aurigo’s strong talent and shaping an environment where individuals grow and the business gains momentum together.”
 

Aurigo has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by increasing demand for capital planning and construction management software. The company’s solutions are used by customers across various industries, including transportation, utilities, healthcare, retail, and government, helping to manage projects throughout North America and now expanding into new geographies. Recent AI-driven advancements are opening new avenues for growth, enabling teams to deepen domain expertise, focus on higher-value work, and build future-ready skills as Aurigo scales globally.
 

About Aurigo Software
Aurigo builds software that helps build the world. Aurigo provides modern, cloud-based solutions for capital infrastructure and private owners to help them plan with confidence and build with quality. With more than $450 billion of capital programs under management, Aurigo’s solutions are trusted by over 300 customers in transportation, water and utilities, healthcare, higher education, and the government, with over 40,000 projects across North America. Aurigo helps capital program executives make better decisions based on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. Aurigo is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with global offices in Canada and India.

Learn more at www.aurigo.com.

Leadership changes span corporate strategy, risk governance, and market execution to drive hyper business growth

To date, the company has supported 1,000 SMEs across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. It has deployed growth capital to businesses in e-commerce, software-as-a-service, and technology-driven sectors.

With the expanded leadership structure in place, strategic planning and risk governance will be centralised. Local market execution will be strengthened to support disciplined regional scale.

Strengthening Strategy and Governance
Koichi Saito has been appointed Head of Corporate Strategy, bringing over 20 years of experience across corporate planning, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital markets, and venture building in Asia-Pacific.

As Founder and General Partner of KK Fund, a leading seed-stage VC firm focused on Southeast Asia, Mr Saito has worked closely with founders across scaling operations, entering new markets, and navigating complex cross-border environments. His earlier career includes roles at ORIX Group, private equity with George Soros’ IHG, investment banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, and venture capital at IMJ Investment Partners, where he backed category-defining startups. Across his investment career, he has led investments in more than 30 companies and advised on cross-border expansion across the region.

With the new appointment, Mr Saito will shape the company’s long-term strategy, forge strategic alliances, and drive the company’s next phase of regional dominance.

Elevating Risk as a Core Growth Function
Kitti Chiraseivinupraphand has been promoted to Chief Risk Officer as the company scales transaction volume and expands across multiple Asia-Pacific markets.

Mr Chiraseivinupraphand joined the company in 2021 as Head of Risk and brings over 20 years of experience in corporate banking risk management across Asia. Prior to joining, he held senior roles at Bangkok Bank Co. and holds an MBA from Boston College. Since joining, he has played an instrumental role in developing Choco Up’s AI-powered credit assessment framework, enabling same-day approvals while maintaining rigorous controls.

In his expanded role, Mr Chiraseivinupraphand will continue to advance risk governance and risk technology, ensuring consistency, resilience and control as operations accelerate.

Strengthening Market Execution in Australia
Bart Joanilho will take on the role of Country Head, Australia, as the company continues to deepen its presence and operating footprint in the Australian market.

He has led the Australian business since its market entry in 2023. Mr Joanilho brings over 15 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur across property, food and beverage and e-commerce, combined with deep expertise in tech ecosystem partnerships. Since spearheading Choco Up’s market entry, he has driven enormous growth to the Australian businesses through innovative go-to-market strategies and localisation efforts.

As Country Head, Mr Joanilho will continue to deepen local partnerships and oversee market execution in Australia, ensuring alignment with the company’s broader priorities.

“Koichi, Kitti, and Bart each bring experience that is important to how we operate today,” said Percy Hung, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Choco Up. “As we expand across markets, aligning strategy, risk management and local execution becomes increasingly important. This leadership structure gives us the confidence to support SMEs more effectively as we propel towards becoming the go-to financing partner for APAC’s SMEs and e-commerce merchants.”

Choco Up
Choco Up is a global technology and financial services platform that offers alternative financing and growth solutions for SMEs. With data analytics and machine learning at its core, Choco Up employs vast integrations to automate fund deployment, providing fast-growing companies with zero-equity funding in a quick and seamless manner. Choco Up has offices in Singapore and Hong Kong and serves businesses with smart-growth analytics and global payment solutions to fuel their growth.

Truecaller appoints Vikas Khanna
 

Over the past year, Truecaller has strategically reshaped its advertising organisation, shifting towards industry-led, data-driven sales solutions that help advertisers gain deeper insights, learn faster, and build more tailored, results-focused partnerships. This evolution has enabled the introduction of premium, direct-only inventory, custom innovation packages, and offerings that extend well beyond standard third-party inventory access. At the same time, Truecaller has strengthened its measurement capabilities through advanced analytics and AI-powered insights, including the launch of ROI of Trust - a proprietary framework that brings the real business impact of trust-based advertising to life through tangible advertiser outcomes and case studies.
 

With over 25 years of leadership experience across print, television, and digital media, Vikas’s appointment significantly strengthens Truecaller ads senior leadership team. He has a proven track record of building and scaling high-impact advertising businesses and joins Truecaller after holding senior leadership roles at some of India’s most respected media and technology organisations, including Jio Hotstar, Star Sports, ITV Network, TikTok, NewsX, TV18, NDTV Network, Times of India and the India Today Group.
 

Commenting on the appointment, Hemant Arora, Vice President - Global Ads Business at Truecaller, said, “Direct brand relationships are central to how we see the future of advertising at Truecaller. As a platform that plays a meaningful role in consumers’ daily lives, we believe advertising must be built on a data-first approach, powered by AI, and measured beyond surface-level metrics. With strong foundations now in place spanning industry expertise, premium inventory and advanced measurement, this is the right moment to scale. India is a strategic market for us, and Vikas’s entrepreneurial mindset and deep market understanding make him the ideal person to take this forward.”
 

On his appointment, Vikas Khanna, Senior Director, Ad Sales at Truecaller India, said, “I’m excited to join Truecaller at a time when trust, attention and outcomes are becoming central to effective advertising. Truecaller’s position as a daily-use platform, deeply embedded in consumers’ lives, creates a unique opportunity for brands. I look forward to working with the team to build strong direct partnerships, drive industry-led innovation, and deliver meaningful, measurable value for advertisers.”
 

About Truecaller and Truecaller Ads
Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 450 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021. Advertising is the primary revenue stream for Truecaller. Truecaller Ads serves 5 billion impressions every day and is trusted by over 10,000 brands.

Visit advertisers.truecaller.com for more information.

Jeet Vijay Joins InnovHer as Co-Founder, Ushering in InnovHer 2.0 and a New Era of Institutional Venture Building

Over the past two years, InnovHer has steadily built credibility as a Tier-2 venture platform—deploying capital, enabling co-investments, facilitating early exits, and positioning Jaipur as an emerging national convergence point for founders and investors. With this transition, InnovHer is sharpening its focus on institutional design, governance rigor, and long-term capital stewardship. The inclusion of Jeet Vijay significantly strengthens this ambition by adding policy depth, national-global perspective, and execution discipline.

A Leader Shaped by Policy, Capital, and Ecosystem Building

Jeet Vijay brings over 18 years of experience across venture capital, private equity, startup policy, and ecosystem leadership. Most recently, he served as the CEO of MeitY Startup Hub, the Government of India’s nodal agency for technology startups. In this role, he operated at the center of India’s innovation architecture—working closely with central ministries, investors, incubators, accelerators, and founders across the country.

His work has spanned national advisory roles, startup funding frameworks, and large-scale ecosystem programs, giving him a rare vantage point on what differentiates activity-driven initiatives from institution building. Beyond domestic policy leadership, Jeet’s international exposure—including collaborations with the University of Texas (USA)—has shaped his understanding of how mature ecosystems integrate universities, capital, and enterprises into long-term economic engines.

Equally significant is Jeet’s strong regional grounding. Hailing from Alwar, Rajasthan, and coming from a business family, he brings first-hand insight into the realities of Tier-2 and Tier-3 India. This perspective aligns closely with InnovHer’s founding belief that regional India requires durable institutions, not episodic programs, to unlock sustainable growth.

Commenting on his decision to join InnovHer, Jeet Vijay said, “Coming from Alwar, Rajasthan, I have always believed that regional India should not just export talent to metros, but build strong institutions at home. Joining InnovHer is my way of contributing back—by bringing policy experience, global exposure, and capital discipline to strengthen startups and SMEs in Rajasthan and other Tier-2 regions. If we want sustainable growth, we must build local economic engines that can compete nationally and globally while remaining rooted in their communities.”

Strengthening InnovHer’s Strategic and Institutional Output

As Co-Founder, Jeet Vijay’s role will focus on sharpening InnovHer’s strategic direction, governance frameworks, and institutional architecture. His presence brings greater rigor to venture selection, capital structuring, and policy alignment—ensuring that InnovHer’s growth is disciplined, auditable, and scalable.

More importantly, his inclusion expands InnovHer’s horizon. With a deep understanding of national policy, global best practices, and regional execution, Jeet strengthens InnovHer’s ability to support startups and SMEs as long-term economic contributors, not merely high-growth bets. This approach is increasingly relevant as India’s next growth cycle is expected to be driven by MSMEs, regional enterprises, and innovation-led local economies.

InnovHer 2.0: Building a Venture Institution from Tier-2 India

InnovHer 2.0 represents a deliberate shift—from a venture platform to a venture institution. The next phase is designed to deliver deeper, more structured support to:

• SMEs seeking capital readiness and sustainable growth pathways

• Startups requiring governance-first scaling frameworks

• Local economies aiming to build durable innovation capacity

With Jeet Vijay joining as Co-Founder, InnovHer reinforces its commitment to institution-grade execution, long-term capital stewardship, and ecosystem accountability. The organization aims to demonstrate that venture institutions built from Tier-2 India can deliver outcomes on par with, or better than, metro-centric models.

A Shared Vision for National Impact

The alignment between InnovHer’s founding leadership and Jeet Vijay is rooted in a shared conviction: India’s most resilient innovation will emerge from regions when supported by strong institutions. InnovHer 2.0 seeks to set a national benchmark by proving that disciplined venture building, policy alignment, and regional grounding can coexist with scale and global competitiveness.

As InnovHer steps into this new chapter, the appointment of Jeet Vijay is not merely a leadership announcement—it is a signal. A signal that InnovHer is building for scale with discipline, for growth with purpose, and for impact with longevity.

Pomelo Employer Branding Senior Leadership Team for GCC and Tech Enterprises in India

As India emerges as one of the world’s fastest-scaling GCC hubs, employer branding is being tested beyond visibility on leadership alignment, localisation, retention of critical skills and measurable ROI. Both appointments are partner-level executive advisory roles and form part of Pomelo Employer Branding’s senior leadership team. Jasprit Khurana and Karan Bamba will work closely with Sonya Sahni, Founder & Managing Partner, to strengthen employer branding outcomes through deeper alignment with people systems, leadership practices and business realities. The roles are not board-level or day-to-day operational positions.

Sonya Sahni, Founder & Managing Partner, Pomelo Employer Branding said, “Employer branding today is under pressure to prove both credibility and impact. For tech companies and GCCs, a compelling employer brand cannot exist in isolation from leadership behaviour, culture and people systems. Strengthening our leadership bench enables us to help clients build employer brands that are grounded in organisational reality, while keeping employer branding firmly at the core of what we do.”

As Senior Partner – People Advisory & HR Strategy, Jasprit Khurana brings over 25 years of experience as a strategic HR leader and fractional CHRO. He has built and scaled HR functions across organisations ranging from 300 to over 15,000 employees, spanning India, the UK, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In his role at Pomelo EB, he will support employer branding outcomes by aligning EVP and employer brand strategy with HR strategy, people policies, remuneration philosophy, culture and leadership capability, particularly for scaling and international GCC environments. He will be accountable for strengthening EVP credibility by ensuring alignment between employer brand promises and HR systems and leadership practices.

Jasprit Khurana said, “What attracted me to Pomelo is its sharp focus on employer branding and its understanding that credibility comes from how people actually experience the organisation. My role is to strengthen that link, ensuring employer brand narratives are supported by people policies, leadership capability and organisational culture.”

Karan Bamba, appointed as Senior Partner – Business, Transformation & Employer Brand, brings over three decades of leadership experience across business operations and large-scale transformation. His career includes senior roles at Reliance Jio, Siemens and Nokia Siemens Networks, where he led complex, multi-market operations and large workforce transformations. At Pomelo EB, he will strengthen employer branding by connecting business goals with people strategy, operating models and HR interventions that support scale and transformation. He will be accountable for ensuring employer branding initiatives are grounded in business and operational reality and linked to productivity and transformation outcomes.

Karan Bamba said, “Employer branding works best when it reflects how organisations truly operate. Pomelo’s approach stands out for its willingness to engage with real business and operational realities. My role is to help ensure employer brand strategy aligns closely with how work gets done across large and complex organisations.”

While employer branding remains Pomelo EB’s core focus, the leadership strengthening adds people advisory and business leadership depth to support greater credibility, localisation and measurable outcomes for clients, especially in complex GCC and technology environments.

Ronak Shah, EVP and Global Head of Service Delivery, Logic Pursuits

Ronak brings nearly two decades of global leadership experience across consulting, digital engineering, enterprise technology, and operational excellence. He has built and scaled Global Capability Centers (GCCs), launched Centers of Excellence, and led large, multi-region delivery organizations supporting 300+ global enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies. His leadership has consistently enabled organizations to execute complex transformation programs across AI and automation, cloud security, intelligent operations, and enterprise platforms.

Throughout his career, Ronak has held senior leadership roles overseeing multi-geo delivery teams of 100 to 500+ professionals, driving delivery maturity, governance, and measurable business outcomes. He is internationally recognized as a “Pioneer of Automation” and an “Exemplary Leader”, having received multiple industry awards for innovation, execution excellence, and leadership impact.

Strengthening Delivery Excellence Across the United States, India, and LATAM

In his new role, Ronak will lead the evolution of Logic Pursuits’ global service delivery framework, with a focus on execution consistency, client value realization, and scalable growth. He will oversee delivery across the United States, India, and LATAM, while playing a key role in expanding LP’s delivery hubs in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad into strategic centers supporting global clients.

Ronak will also help strengthen delivery capabilities across LP’s core practice areas, including Enterprise Data Platforms, Analytics, AI and Automation, Cloud Engineering, and Customer 360 and CDP solutions, ensuring Logic Pursuits continues to deliver enterprise-grade outcomes with speed and quality.

Executive Perspectives

"I am excited to join Logic Pursuits at a time when the company is rapidly scaling its global presence and delivery capabilities. Logic Pursuits has a strong foundation of innovation, quality, and customer-centricity, and I look forward to working with teams across the United States, India, and LATAM to strengthen our delivery excellence and create meaningful business impact for our clients," - Ronak Shah, EVP and Global Head of Service Delivery, Logic Pursuits.

"Ronak brings an exceptional combination of operational depth, delivery excellence, and global leadership experience. His ability to build scalable delivery organizations and drive enterprise-grade transformation makes him a tremendous addition to Logic Pursuits. We are delighted to welcome him to our Executive Leadership Team and look forward to the leadership strength he brings across our global delivery footprint," - Dheeraj Khandelwal, Ravi Shetty, and Kamlesh Korat, Founders, Logic Pursuits.

About Logic Pursuits

Logic Pursuits (LP) is a global Data and AI consulting services firm specializing in Enterprise Data Strategy, Modern Data Platforms, Advanced Analytics, Customer 360 and CDP Enablement, Digital Engineering, and AI-led Automation. LP partners with enterprises to design and deliver cloud-native, business-centric solutions that unlock measurable business value. With delivery teams across the United States, India, and LATAM, Logic Pursuits helps organizations build future-ready capabilities driven by data, intelligence, and innovation.

Learn more at www.logicpursuits.com.

Geoffrey Mattson, Chief Executive Officer, SecureAuth
 

The Board of Directors thanks outgoing CEO Joseph Dhanapal, who will remain as a strategic advisor. During his tenure, SecureAuth invested heavily in creating a next generation security platform, featuring our market leading, AI-driven risk engine. With this platform in place, SecureAuth is positioned to capture accelerating demand for identity and access management as agentic AI transforms identity from a static access check into a dynamic control plane for managing complex human, machine, and AI-driven relationships.
 

Mattson is a globally recognized cybersecurity and AI engineer and executive with a track record of scaling high-growth security companies and delivering advanced identity and threat-detection technologies to global enterprises. He previously served as CEO of Xage Security, co-founded and led MistNet.ai (acquired by LogRhythm), and held product and engineering leadership roles at organizations ranging from high-growth startups to Juniper Networks, Huawei, Nortel, and Bell Labs across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. He holds a master's degree in computer science and is the inventor of multiple patents in AI, cybersecurity, and networking.
 

"Geoff combines deep technical credibility with proven operator experience in exactly the markets where SecureAuth is poised to lead," said Vik Verma, Chairman of SecureAuth's Board of Directors. "Identity is no longer just about logging people in; it's becoming the control plane for how humans, machines, and AI agents collaborate. Geoff has spent his career building and scaling platforms at that intersection of security, networking, and AI. He is the right leader to help customers safely harness the expanding mesh of AI agents, workflows, and services acting on their behalf; and to translate that need into explosive growth for SecureAuth."
 

SecureAuth delivers AI-driven identity security that continuously evaluates risk and adapts authentication in real time, combining strong protection with a seamless user experience. Its platform spans workforce, customer, and agentic identity across cloud and hybrid environments and includes innovations such as Biometric Continuous Identity Assurance (BCIA) and the Microperimeter Authorizer, which extend Zero Trust controls from human users to AI agents, services, and automated workflows.
 

"SecureAuth is already tackling some of the hardest problems in identity and relationship security, helping organizations move faster, deepen digital relationships, and still know exactly who and what they can trust," said Geoffrey Mattson, CEO of SecureAuth. "The rise of AI agents is turning identity into a live, continuously updated map of relationships and authority. As enterprises give agents real power to read sensitive data, move money, and change systems, they need a strong identity control plane that can define, delegate, and continuously verify who or what is acting, what they are allowed to do, and on whose behalf. That is exactly what SecureAuth is building. I'm excited to partner with our customers, our team, and our investors to scale that impact worldwide."
 

For further information, please contact: Kristen Grossi at kristen@talktechcomm.com.
 

About SecureAuth
SecureAuth is an award-winning leader in AI-driven identity security, delivering intelligent, continuous, and frictionless authentication for workforce and customer access. Its platform combines an AI-driven risk engine with innovations such as Biometric Continuous Identity Assurance (BCIA), fine-grained authorization, and the Microperimeter Authorizer that extends Zero Trust protections across human and AI agents and workflows. SecureAuth serves some of the largest organizations in the world, including leading global banks, healthcare organizations and major retailers, authenticating millions of identities every day. The company is shaping the future of identity security for modern digital and AI-powered environments.

Learn more at www.secureauth.com.

Trehan Iris onboards Milind Soman as its Wellness Advisor

In a significant step toward strengthening this vision, Trehan Iris has appointed an actor, model, film producer, fitness and a wellness icon ‘Milind Soman’ as its Wellness Advisor. Widely regarded for promoting holistic health, endurance, and sustainable lifestyle practices, Milind will consult on the wellness framework for Trehan Iris’ upcoming projects in Gurugram and Noida. His guidance will help shape-built environments that inspire residents and professionals to adopt healthier, more mindful ways of living.

Speaking about the collaboration, Abhishek Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris, said,“At Trehan Iris, we believe that wellness is the ultimate luxury. Our partnership with Milind Soman marks a significant step in translating this belief into built environments where every design element, amenity, and experience fosters holistic well-being. His philosophy of balanced, mindful living aligns seamlessly with our vision for the future of real estate.”

While Aman Trehan, Executive Director, Trehan Iris adds, “Real estate must evolve to meet the changing needs of people, and wellness is central to that evolution. With Milind Soman onboard, we’re bringing sharper insight into designing spaces that encourage healthier lifestyles, from the architecture to the everyday experiences. This partnership reinforces our mission to build the next generation of wellness-led developments.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Milind Soman commented, “Wellness is not about doing something extra, it’s about integrating healthy habits and mindful choices into everyday life. I’m glad to associate with Trehan Iris as their Wellness Advisor to shape communities that make well-being an intrinsic part of how people live, move, and connect.”

With this collaboration, Trehan Iris reinforces its commitment to redefining luxury real estate by placing holistic wellness at the heart of its design philosophy and community planning. The company continues to craft future-ready spaces that promote harmony, balance, vitality, and a deeper connection with nature.

About Trehan Iris

Building on a legacy of over 7 decades, Trehan Iris is now reimagining urban development through the lens of wellness. With more than 15 million sq. ft. delivered across 100+ landmark projects—including IRIS Broadway Gurgaon, IRIS Broadway Greno West, an ongoing 1 million retail led, mixed use development, IRIS Tech Park, and IRIS Cyber Tower—the company has consistently demonstrated innovation, quality, and trust. Moreover, Trehan Iris is also expanding its presence in the south with a 5-star hotel and IT Park in Bangalore along with other upcoming residential projects in Gurgaon and a commercial & retail development in Noida. Additionally, these upcoming projects will focus on wellness, further enhancing lifestyle and ecosystem. With this new chapter, Trehan Iris is committed to make wellness an integral part of all future developments.

Sushil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Cyara

Sushil brings entrepreneurial vision and enterprise-scale leadership to Cyara. He has focused his career on building category-defining AI, DevOps, and cloud platforms, both as a founder and as a leader of large global organizations. Most recently, he was Co-Founder and CEO of RelicX.ai, a generative AI test automation pioneer acquired by Harness. Before that, he held senior product and general management roles at Oracle, CA Technologies, and Broadcom, leading global teams and multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses that improved digital performance and customer experience at scale.

"Sushil brings a rare combination of proven ability, and deep customer and product insight to building and scaling category-defining platforms," said Alok Kulkarni, Co-Founder and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Cyara. "Cyara created and now leads the CX assurance category, with strong and growing global momentum. Under Sushil's leadership, we see a significant opportunity to extend that lead as enterprises race to modernize customer experience, deploy GenAI safely, and ensure that every customer interaction simply works."

Cyara's unified, AI-powered platform continuously tests, validates, and monitors customer journeys across voice, digital, messaging, and conversational AI. Assuring more than 350 million customer journeys each year, and validating over a million AI-generated responses, the platform gives enterprises full visibility into quality, reliability, and risk. With emerging Agentic AI capabilities, Cyara is expanding into intelligent, continuous CX optimization to help organizations improve workflows, reduce cost-to-serve, and deploy new experiences with confidence.

"AI is transforming customer experience faster than any technology shift we've seen in decades," said Sushil Kumar, CEO, Cyara. "As enterprises rethink their CX stacks and explore agentic AI, what they need most is confidence. Confidence that every interaction will be accurate, trustworthy, and delivered at the speed and quality customers expect. Cyara already plays a pivotal role in enabling that shift. It provides the reliability and assurance organizations need to turn AI from experimentation into meaningful, real-world impact. I'm excited to build on this foundation and work with the team to raise the bar for customer experience globally."

Cyara has pursued a focused mergers and acquisitions strategy; acquiring Botium and QBox (bot and conversational AI testing), Spearline/testRTC (telecom and WebRTC assurance) and CentraCX (voice of the customer), to build one of the industry's most comprehensive CX assurance stacks.

Sushil will focus on accelerating product innovation in AI-powered CX assurance, deepening Cyara's ecosystem of CCaaS, CPaaS, UCaaS, and AI partners, and expanding the company's global footprint, which serves customers in more than 135 countries.

For further information, please contact: Janet Vito, janet.vito@cyara.com

About Cyara

Cyara is the global leader in AI-powered customer experience assurance. As the only unified platform for continuous testing and monitoring across voice, digital, messaging, and conversational AI channels, Cyara empowers hundreds of the world's leading brands to optimize more than a quarter of a billion customer interactions every year. From full customer journey visibility to AI governance and compliance, Cyara ensures every touchpoint works flawlessly, helping businesses deliver secure, friction-free, and high-quality CX at scale.

To learn more, visit www.cyara.com.