Hires & Promotions: Jet Airways, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, IBM, Lenskart

Vipula Gunatilleka appointed as CFO for the revival of Jet Airways

Jalan Kalrock Consortium, the Successful Resolution Applicant and new proposed promoters of Jet Airways have appointed Vipula Gunatilleka as Chief Financial Officer.

Gunatilleka will be joining from March 1.

He was the CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines until January and was leading the national carrier during the pandemic.

Prior to joining SriLankan Airlines, Gunatilleka was the CFO and Board Member of TAAG Angola Airlines from November 2015 to July 2018 under Emirates Management. He played a pivotal role to turn around the loss-making national carrier of Angola. 

Ankit Jalan, Member of the Monitoring Committee of Jet Airways and part of the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium said: “We are excited to welcome Vipula Gunatilleka to our young and energic team. Vipula is an aviation expert and is regarded as a turnaround specialist in the industry. He has been shortlisted after a rigorous process run by our Executive Team over the last several months. I am certain Vipula will be an asset to the organisation and will provide the necessary vision to revive the operations of Jet Airways as per the plans of the Consortium.” 

Gunatilleka is known for his astute knowledge in aircraft financing, strategic planning, cost-efficient business modelling and openness to adopting hybrid models to keep business costs low and efficiency high. 

Speaking on his plans, Gunatilleka said, “I am very excited to join the company and I look forward to contributing my knowledge of last 30 years in Jet Airways’ resurgence in its new avatar. We will capitalize on the strong brand value which Jet Airways has in the market and use it to rebuild the lost ground.” 

He further added, “I first joined SriLankan Airlines as its CFO in 2001, when it was part of the Emirates Group and was establishing its feet in the Indo-Pacific Sub-Continent. Having spent sufficient time in leadership roles in the aviation industry including as CEO of SriLankan Airlines until January 2022, I am aware of the responsibility that lingers on the shoulders of the leadership team, especially the CFO and I am confident Jet Airways will soon regain its lost glory.”

L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Neeraj Sharma as Senior Vice President

L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has strengthened its strategic planning team and appointed Neeraj Sharma as Senior Vice President. Based out of Mumbai, Sharma will work with Snehasis Bose, Chief Strategy Officer, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi.

Sharma started his professional journey with Draft FCB Ulka and has since worked across numerous agencies including DDB Mudra, Rediffusion and Ogilvy’s 82.5. In a career spanning over 15 years, he has worked on global brands like Johnson & Johnson, Piaggio, Neutrogena, Franklin Templeton, Kraft Heinz, Cipla and Indian iconic brands like Bisleri, BoroPlus, ACC Cements and Parle.

Welcoming Neeraj to the agency, Bose said: “Neeraj’s balanced belief in the ‘science’ of the business solve and the ‘art’ of the inspiring strategic solution resonated strongly with the two truths that have defined L&K Saatchi & Saatchi: a) our ability to offer solves that move the needle on the business and b) craft inspiring integrated communication strategies to bring the above-said solves to life. This coupled with his rooted, yet open collaborative spirit made him a must-have-propellant for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s growth journey.”

On his decision to join the agency and also his role ahead, Sharma said: “Every new place you join, you join in the hope of doing some amazing and effective work. I am excited about the ‘Power of One’ vision and its ability to create end-to-end solutions for our clients. Given the great brands L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has and is rapidly adding to its roster, this is a great opportunity for me to partner in remarkable integrated campaigns which deliver measurable business results.”

Deepali Naair Takes On As Director, Digital Sales, India & ASEANZK Digital Sales Centre, Bangalore

Deepali Naair, erstwhile the Director of Marketing at IBM India and South Asia, has confirmed her elevation as the Director, Digital Sales, India & ASEANZK Digital Sales Centre, Bangalore. Her association with the company goes back to nearly 3.5 years.

"Bangalore Digital Center will enable key brand missions at IBM including Systems - Storage, Power, Cloud & Cognitive Software, Public Cloud, TSS Digital Sales and Red Hat. The Bangalore Center will focus on Digital Sales across India, ASEAN, Korea and Australia," her post read.

Lenskart onboards Madhur Acharya as Vice President-Ecommerce

Madhur Acharya has joined Lenskart as Vice President-Ecommerce. Prior to this, Acharya was Wow Skin Science as vice president of marketing. He moved on from the personal care brand last week after a 3-year stint.

Acharya announced the move in a LinkedIn post saying, "Super stoked to announce my next stint as I join,Lenskart.com the brand that revolutionised the eyewear category in India". He also thanked the Lenskart team for the smooth onboarding and warm welcome.

"Elated to join this community of change-makers as I look forward to building and taking the brand's vision to various marketplaces in India & International.  Special thanks to India's favourite Shark Peyush Bansal for this opportunity and not just inspiring me and millions of India’s youth, but also actively helping them achieve their dreams", Acharya added.