Davuluri new head of Windows and Surface teams

Microsoft veteran Pavan Davuluri takes charge as the new head of Microsoft's combined Windows and Surface teams, replacing Panos Panay, who quit last year to join Amazon. He also takes over from Mikhail Parakhin, who quit as the head of the Windows department. Davuluri will report to Rajesh Jha, Executive Vice President of Experiences & Devices, at Microsoft. The step consolidates Microsoft’s operating system and devices efforts under one leader, and Davuluri is expected to oversee all aspects of Windows’ client and cloud experiences,including Surface hardware development. The rejig seeks closer collaboration between the Windows group and Microsoft’s newly formed AI team led by Mustafa Suleyman, the former co-founder of Google DeepMind, enabling Microsoft’s consumer AI initiatives, including Edge browser, Copilot, and Bing. The alliance between the Windows and Surface teams is expected to enhance collaboration and cohesion between Microsoft's hardware and software efforts. Davuluri has been associated with Microsoft for 23+ years and has engaged in several innovative projects, including Arm chip adoption for Windows PCs. He now has the greater task of handling Windows with an AI-driven approach. He held multiple leadership roles across PC, Xbox, Surface, and Windows. In his role as the Corporate Vice President of Windows and Silicon & Systems Integration, he enabled Windows’ optimisation for Arm-based processors. In previous roles, he has had stints with Qualcomm and AMD, creating Surface processors. He is an alumnus of IIT Madras and the University of Maryland.

Wadgaonkar appointed as VP & CCO, Nissan Motor

Lavanya Wadgaonkar

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. has appointed Lavanya Wadgaonkar as Corporate Vice President and Chief Communications Officer (VP and CCO), effective 1st April , 2024. She becomes the first Indian to be appointed as the head of global communications at Nissan. Lavanya's most recent role before her promotion was that of Vice President of Nissan Global Communications, and in her newly promoted role as Corporate VP and CCO, she will report to Makoto Uchida, President and Chief Executive Officer. Lavanya will continue to hold forth her role as the global DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) champion. She is expected to steer all of Nissan’s communications activities globally and in Japan. The move is to enhance the trust and reputation of the Japanese automaker, as Nissan gears to launch 'The Arc', its new business plan, driving value and strengthening competitiveness. She has 28+ years of international experience in strategic communications, brand management, public affairs, marketing, and sustainability. She previously led Nissan Asia and Oceania’s communications and external and government affairs functions. She joined Nissan in 2012 in India, and before that had held several leadership positions working with printing company Lexmark, Reliance, and diversified power management company, Eaton. Originally from Hyderabad, Lavanya holds a PhD, an MPhil, and a Master’s degree from Osmania University.

Tata International appoints Rajeev Singhal as MD

Rajeev Singhal

Rajeev Singhal succeeds Anand Sen as Managing Director of Tata International, the group’s global trading and distribution arm. Singhal's new role is effective from April 2024 following Anand Sen’s superannuation on 31st March, 2024.

Before his promotion to the new role, Singhal was Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tata International. His leadership is expected to help Tata International scale greater heights into its next growth phase. He brings 36+ years of experience, having transitioned from Tata Steel, where he held multiple positions including that of Vice President (Raw Material) at Tata Steel Limited.

At Tata Steel, he held various positions that showcased his increasing responsibility, which culminated in his most recent role as Vice President of marketing and sales for flat products.

Priya Tikare elevated as Director & HR Head, at Lenovo India

Priya Tikare

Global technology powerhouse, Lenovo India has elevated Priya Tikare as Director and Head of HR, to lead innovation in the company’s talent management ecosystem. The role is based in Bengaluru, and she will lead all HR functions for Lenovo India’s business, playing dual roles as Head of HR and site HR leader. She brings 18+ years of expertise to Lenovo and is expected to ensure optimal employee experience. She will establish a stronger foundation for the firm's ongoing Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) efforts across its value chain, reinforcing India’s position as a global technology hub. Her agenda would be to develop programs and systems, empower employees, foster collaboration, and enhance overall productivity. Priya’s talent management expertise would be backed up with AI as part of Lenovo's strategy, for building a skilled future-ready AI work-force within Lenovo India. She joined Lenovo in 2015 as Head-Talent Acquisition, Asia Pacific & Global TA PMO, and was later promoted to Global HR Director – International Services Support/Solutions & Services Group (SSG). Before joining Lenovo, she was an HR Specialist with MetLife India Pvt Ltd for over two years. She is an alumnus of the Indian Institute Of Management-Bangalore and Anna University. She holds licenses and certifications – the Saville Assessment-Performance 360 Course and Saville Assessment International Accreditation – Wave.

Veteran Jobin promoted to MD of Sony MEA

Jobin Joejoe

Jobin Joejoe takes charge as Managing Director of Sony Middle East and Africa (MEA). A Sony veteran, Jobin will steer the regional teams for the consumer electronic giant’s global growth strategy, driving operational excellence. Jobin’s extensive market knowledge, MEA region experience, and leadership skills are expected to foster high-performing teams. Jobin has been a Sony stalwart for 17+ years, since 2007, when he gained prominence from his initial position of Area Manager to Head of Sales. He led brand strategy, exceeding sales targets across the region. In 2022, he was promoted to Deputy Managing Director and has been driving growth and innovation across Sony’s consumer tech business in the MEA region. He brings two decades of in-depth sales and marketing experience across retail and consumer tech across various business models. Before joining Sony, he had previous work stints with CAD GULF, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited, and as a Sales Engineer with Mass Kinematics. He has received several industry accolades, including the prestigious “CEO of the Year” award, by the CEO Middle East magazine and “Forbes’ Top Global Meets Local Executives” in 2023. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Modern Management, Pune, and Goa College of Engineering.

Saxena joins as MD and CEO of Bank of Maharashtra

Nidhu Saxena

Bank of Maharashtra has appointed Nidhu Saxena as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO), for three years, effective 27th March, 2024. He replaces A S Rajeev, who has been selected as Vigilance Commissioner with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). A veteran, his most recent role before joining the Bank of Maharashtra, was that of Executive Director, at Union Bank of India. Before joining the banking sector, he had around eight years of corporate sector experience. He began his banking career as a Senior Manager with Bank of Baroda and had a fulfilling 14+ years association with UCO Bank, before joining the Union Bank of India. A banking veteran with 26+ years of experience, he was engaged across diversified areas, enabling all key banking functions across multiple roles as Branch Head, Zonal Head, and Vertical Head. His contributions include various departments including Treasury, domestic and foreign business, international banking, stressed assets, retail assets, MSME, retail liabilities, CISO, audit verticals, wealth management, and human resources. Nidhu was on the Board of Union Bank of India (UK) and Union Asset Management Company and has been a member of the Academic Council of the National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM), Pune, and the Governing Body of the Indian Institute of Bank Management, Guwahati.

Gaurav Sabharwal is MD, India & South Asia, Brown-Forman Corporation

Gaurav Sabharwal

Gaurav Sabharwal takes charge as Managing Director, India & South Asia, at Brown-Forman Corporation, the American-owned company, and the makers of the iconic brand Jack Daniel’s. Based out of Gurugram, Sabharwal will report to Eveline Albarracin, VP, MD, Brown-For-man ANZPI IMENA Turkiye. He will steer Brown-Forman’s operations across strategic markets in India and South Asia. Sabharwal succeeds Siddharth Wadia, who was promoted as IMENA region head in 2019, filling up the long-due vacant position. He brings 20+ years of experience in the beverage and consumer goods companies, with expertise in the alcoholic beverage industry across multiple geographies in Asia, including the Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. In a previous role, he has been associated with Pernod Ricard for 14 + years, driving strategic and transformational projects, including country and business leadership roles across Singapore, Dubai, and India. He was also Assistant General Manager with Diageo India Pvt. Ltd, engaged with their multiple commercial leadership roles. Before joining Brown Foreman, he was Managing Director, at Earthwise Advisors LLC, and as Chief Executive Officer at Modern Beverages, Dubai. He was also the Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore (EuroCham Singapore), among other prominent roles in the sector. He is an alumnus of the Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, and the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.

Atul Mehra is MD & CEO of Axis Capital

Atul Mehra

Axis Capital has appointed Atul Mehra as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The veteran Mehra is often referred to as a seasoned dealmaker and is expected to steer the company’s investment banking and institutional equities businesses.

He succeeds Salil Pitale, the former MD and CEO, who held the position for five years.

A former Joint MD with JM Financial Ltd, he brings 32+ years of experience and relationships across India’s leading corporate houses. He is known for some of the important deals related to Equity Capital Markets (ECM) and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) transactions in India and offshore markets.

He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School and Welingkar Institute of Management.

Sharma is Group VP, at Warner Bros

Vikram Sharma

Vikram Sharma has been promoted to Group VP, at Warner Bros. Discovery APAC region. Before his new position, Sharma led Warner Bros. Discovery as Head of consumer products, advertising, and partnerships. He managed P&L responsibility for the consumer products retail and licensing across INSEAK (India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea), including the SEA advertising sales business. As General Manager of Warner Bros Entertainment, he was in charge of licensing and retail business for India SEA, HK, Taiwan, and South Korea across Warner Bros, Cartoon Network, and HBO. He also managed the One Warner Media partnership business, across multiple industry touchpoints. He began his career innings with Reckitt Benckiser, moving on to work with the Walt Disney Company India and as Vice President of Retail and Licensing at Turner. He has been driving business revenues, engaged in channel management, distribution, sales operations, trade marketing, and process orientation, including building and leading high-performance teams. He is an alumnus of the International Management Institute (IMI) and Calcutta Boys' School.

Schaeffler India re-appoints Harsha Kadam as MD and CEO

Harsha Kadam

The board of directors of Schaeffler India has approved the extension of Harsha Kadam’s tenure as the Managing Director and CEO of its Indian subsidiary for another three years, effective 1st October, 2024. The board of the German automotive giant’s confidence in Kadam’s strategic insights and leadership qualities enabled his re-appointment. Kadam’s 30 years of experience include his expertise in business excellence, product design and development, manufacturing, and sales, driving the company’s growth and market presence. He joined Schaeffler India in 2018 as President of Industrial Business and was later promoted to MD and CEO in 2019 for an initial five-year tenure. Before he joined Schaeffler, Kadam had a fulfilling stint for 26 years with SKF, a short stint as CEO of AGI Glaspac (An SBU of HSIL). He began his career as a Marketing Engineer with Beacons Controls and later as a Project Engineer with Chemicals Industries Consulting Bureau. He has a BE Mechanical degree from Bangalore University (1988).