Hires & Promotions: Rukam Capital, Dentsu Creative Webchutney, Signpost, India Today Group

Rukam Capital onboards Sanjeev Misra as an Advisor

New Delhi-based venture capital firm Rukam Capital has appointed Sanjeev Misra as an Advisor, marking a strategic move to further strengthen its position as a leading venture capital fund house in India.

With Misra’s extensive corporate experience and proven leadership in driving innovation and growth, the firm expects to add substantial value to its mission of fostering entrepreneurship and achieving significant returns in the Indian startup ecosystem.

In his new role as an advisor at Rukam Capital, Misra will leverage his extensive experience to guide the fund’s strategic initiatives, particularly in scaling its portfolio of high-potential technology and consumer brands. 

On the news, Misra says, “I am excited to advise Rukam Capital fund house and contribute to its vision of fostering the next generation of consumer and technology brands. The Indian startup ecosystem has witnessed tremendous growth in the last decade and is teeming with immense potential. Rukam Capital’s focus on early-stage investments aligns perfectly with my belief in the power of innovation and strategic growth. I look forward to collaborating with the team and leveraging my experience to help elevate the startups in Rukam Capital’s portfolio.”

Archana Jahagirdar, Managing Partner at Rukam Capital adds, “We are extremely happy to welcome Sanjeev to our advisory team. As we continue to assist and build our portfolio firms, his outstanding track record and profound understanding of both domestic and international markets will be extremely useful. His expertise in driving business transformation and his strategic vision will undoubtedly play a key role in advancing our mission to nurture and scale our portfolio brands."

With over three decades of corporate experience, Sanjeev Misra has held significant positions in prominent organisations. He was a key member of the leadership team at the Adani Group, where he served as VP of Group Business & Renewables.

He also spent more than a decade in Silicon Valley, contributing to the growth of prestigious companies, and is currently a Director at Yoho, one of Rukam Capital’s key portfolio brands and India's fastest-growing footwear startup.

Misra's leadership extends to his tenure as senior vice president and Director at Paytm, where he led B2B commerce and global exports and imports. His approach focused on sharp prioritization, fostering innovation, driving business growth, transforming sales, boosting productivity, and building efficient teams. 

Additionally, he leads investments at the Rajeev Misra Family Office as a managing partner, further showcasing his ability to oversee and drive strategic initiatives.

Dentsu Creative Webchutney elevates Gia Fernandes to National Creative Director-West

Gia Fernandes has been promoted to the National Creative Director-West at Dentsu Creative Webchutney.

Fernandes has been in the company for the past two years. She joined as the Group Creative Director. Before this, she was associated with VMLY&R, FCB Ulka, and Whyness Worldwide.

She took to LinkedIn to announce the same.

Fernandes brings over 14 years of experience to the table, having begun her career in 2009 at Creativeland Asia.

Signpost’s Sajesh Raghavan moves on

Sajesh Raghavan, Chief Operating Officer, Signpost India has moved on from the organisation after completing a stint of one year.

Before this, he was the Business Head of The Hindu Business Line & Head of Alliances and Partnerships, where he oversaw the execution of business transformation involving diverse degrees of sophistication for the enterprise, he held the ownership of achieving local Corporate P&L milestones, along with other performance standards and pecuniary KPIs.

Raghavan was also the Vice President of Distribution at Ten Sports from February 2012 to August 2014 where he designed and put into action the strategic plan that directs the trajectory of a team's operation or its business function, including augmenting a strategic business model.

He served as the Associate Vice President of Advertisement Sales at Indian Express in the past as well for two years as well.

American Express, Kuoni Travel, Lyman Container Line, and Tata Teleservices are some other organisations Raghavan has worked with in the past.

He holds a Diploma in Business Management, Sales and Marketing from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.

BV Rao steps up as Kamlesh Singh takes a break from India Today Group

After the news of India Today veteran Kamlesh Singh taking a sabbatical after a 16-year tenure, effective August 14, BV Rao, Group Consulting Editor, Digital, will take over Singh's responsibilities.

In addition to his current portfolio, Rao will now lead all ITGD editorial teams, who will report directly to him. The transition promises to be smooth, thanks to the longstanding professional relationship between Kamlesh Singh and BV Rao, ensuring a thorough handover process.

Kamlesh Singh will continue to play a vital role within the India Today Group, contributing to Aaj Tak Radio and Lallantop as a mentor and advisor. He will also write for the India Today and Aaj Tak websites, focusing on new projects, thus maintaining his influence and presence in the media landscape.

BV Rao’s assumption of these additional responsibilities marks a pivotal moment for the India Today Group. Known for his digital expertise and strategic editorial direction, Rao’s leadership is anticipated to drive the editorial teams towards new heights of excellence. His expanded role is a testament to his capabilities and the trust placed in him by the organization.