Big Moves: Landmark Group, Sharp, Zee, Byju’s Aakash

Landmark Group appoints Ritesh Mishra as deputy chief executive officer, Lifestyle India

Landmark Group India has roped in Ritesh Mishra as the new deputy chief executive officer for Lifestyle.

With over 23 years of extensive experience and leadership in the retail industry, Mishra brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His responsibilities include shaping the company's strategic direction, expanding its business footprint, and strengthening its market leadership across various functions including business development, IT, marketing, retail operations, and supply-chain.

Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Mishra mentions, “I am pleased to join and be part of this dynamic team. I look ahead to collaborating with my colleagues to drive growth, enhance customer experiences, and elevate our position in the market."

Dev Iyer, executive director & CEO, Lifestyle India adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Ritesh Mishra to our team. His extensive experience and proven track record in the retail industry make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are confident that his strategic insights and leadership will greatly contribute to our continued success and growth."

Sharp appoints Sujai Karampuri as chairman India 

Sharp has appointed Sujai Karampuri as the chairman for its India business, effective 1st March 2024. Sujai Karampuri shall spearhead the display business, elevate Sharp’s brand presence in India and bring strategic partnerships in manufacturing and technology transfer of Sharp’s sophisticated engineering products, components and solutions.

Bringing with him a distinguished record in strategic business and technology development across various sectors such as electronics and semiconductors, broadband and wireless communications, Karampuri will steer the brand's endeavours to expand its footprint in India in display, promote brand business of its consumer electronics, while also focusing on developing strategic partnerships in manufacturing, technology transfer, and development of smartphone components, camera modules, TV panels, precision engineering solutions, sensors and semiconductors.

With extensive leadership experience within the State Government of Telangana, including roles as director of electronics and semiconductors, CEO of T-Works and managing director of Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation, Karampuri's appointment heralds a new era of strategic cooperation, innovation and growth for Sharp in India.

Commenting on the occasion, Robert Wu, CEO of Sharp says, “With the appointment of Mr. Karampuri as chairman for Sharp in India, we believe we have renewed our commitment to India, as a long-term strategic market for our extensive line of premier consumer products, as a committed partner in manufacturing and transfer of our core technologies to India, and also to serve our immediate strategic interest in India to help set up world-class display fab that comes with immense experience and track record of Sharp’s leadership in core engineering and provenness”.

Osamu Narita, managing director, Sharp Business Systems (India) adds, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Karampuri as the Chairman for Sharp India. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence perfectly complement Sharp's mission to deliver groundbreaking solutions to customers in the Indian market. Sharp Corporation is confident that under Mr. Karampuri's guidance, our India Business will thrive, solidifying our position as a key player in India's evolving business and technology landscape."

Expressing his gratitude, Karampuri states, "I am deeply honoured to assume this key role at such a critical juncture for Sharp. With Sharp's history of driving cutting-edge technological solutions across sectors, I am confident that we are poised for success as we embark on our vision. We shall deliver on Sharp’s core values of Sincerity and Creativity, which I believe are essential to India’s own ambition to grow and scale and become a world leader in the domain of electronics, display, semiconductor, and precision engineering. We are very keen to work with like-minded partners in India to build long-term relationships.”

Punit Goenka assumes charge of all critical roles at Zee

It appears that Punit Goenka is now in charge of all major business verticals at Zee, taking over from senior leaders who left the company due to restructuring measures and changes in the reporting matrix.

Goenka intends to take direct control of the crucial business verticals, even though the corporation intends to promote some team members to higher positions across all businesses. With Goenka in charge, the 'lateral structure' is expected to foster 'cross-functional collaboration, quick decision making, and higher productivity levels'. The news of the new operating structure's precise composition will follow the acquisition of the necessary board approvals and direction.

According to Zee, the structure will prioritise a more cooperative atmosphere across the main business divisions to take advantage of synergies in terms of innovation, technology and prospects for producing income. The primary business units of the suggested organisational structure will be digital, music, film, and broadcast.

Pearson India’s Deepak Mehrotra to join Byju’s Aakash as CEO

Deepak Mehrotra, who was the former managing director of Pearson India, will join Byju’s test prep firm Aakash as chief executive officer, according to industry reports.

Mehrotra is joining during a period when Byju’s is unable to afford salaries and regular operations. The other issues that Byju’s is facing include troubles with its stakeholders, including its board, auditors, investors, employees and government institutions like Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Enforcement Directorate.

As the former MD at Pearson India, he was responsible for managing Pearson's education portfolio in India. He focused on boosting growth across three verticals - school, higher education, and vocational - with an increased focus on digital tools to improve learner outcomes.

Mehrotra began his career at Asian Paints as a regional sales manager and went on to work across Coca-Cola India, Bharti Airtel and Micromax Informatics.