Hires & Promotions: HIL, SPNI, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Swiggy Instamart, NIIT

HIL appoints Pranav Desai as Head of Innovations 

HIL, a part of CK Birla Group, has roped in Pranav Desai as the Head of Innovations. Desai brings over 27 years of experience in innovation, R&D, technical services, new product development, marketing, and product management with organisations such as Reliance, Pidilite, and EFGE Consultants. Before joining HIL, he held the position of Vice President (New Products - VAPs) and Head of Research & Construction Development at Nuvoco Vistas Corp.

This strategic appointment underscores the company’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation to expand its global footprint.

Leveraging his extensive expertise in the domain, Pranav will lead the Innovation Centre of HIL, further advancing the company’s research initiatives.

Akshat Seth, Managing Director, and CEO of HIL says, “We warmly welcome Pranav to the HIL family and are confident that his vision and expertise will propel our company to new heights. Pranav’s appointment will strengthen our leadership team and help expand our capabilities to deliver truly differentiated products for our consumers. His extensive experience across markets and products aligns well with HIL’s diverse portfolio of offerings.”

Assuming the new role, Desai mentions, “HIL Ltd.'s commitment to innovation and excellence is inspiring. I am thrilled to join the team and looking forward to contributing towards advancing the company’s vision of diversifying its product portfolio and solidifying its market presence."

Neeraj Vyas to move on from Sony Pictures Networks India to pursue an entrepreneurial journey 

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has reported that Neeraj Vyas, Business Head—Sony Entertainment Television, Sony SAB, PAL, and Sony MAX Movie Cluster, will be leaving the company effective August 31, 2024. After a career spanning close to three decades, Vyas has decided to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey. 

Neeraj Vyas has been instrumental in shaping several key businesses at SPNI, including the flagship General Entertainment Channels (GECs), Sony Entertainment Television, Sony SAB, Sony PAL, and the Hindi movies cluster. His journey with SPNI began in sales for Sony Entertainment Television (SET), and he swiftly rose to the position of National Sales Head for the channel in 2005. Within five years, he was appointed Executive Vice President for Sony MIX, the network's Hindi music channel, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic vision. 

In 2011, Neeraj took on the responsibility for Sony MAX, followed by Sony SAB and Sony PAL in 2017, and Sony Entertainment Television in 2023. Under his guidance, Sony SAB was successfully repositioned as a premium entertainment brand, achieving significant growth through a revitalised programming line-up and content strategy. His leadership has been a source of inspiration for many in the industry. 

On his exit, N.P. Singh, MD, SPNI comments, "Neeraj Vyas’s journey with Sony Pictures Networks India has been remarkable. His vision and leadership have been pivotal in transforming our entertainment channels into market leaders. Neeraj has an innate ability to understand the pulse of the audience and create content that resonates deeply with viewers. On a personal level, Neeraj's passion for excellence and his innovative spirit have always inspired those around him. His departure marks the end of an era for us, but we are excited about the new ventures he will undertake. Neeraj leaves behind a legacy of success, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on his entrepreneurial journey." 

Vyas also adds, "My time at Sony Pictures Networks India has been an incredible journey filled with learning, growth, and countless memorable moments. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to lead dynamic teams and work on groundbreaking projects. As I move on to explore new entrepreneurial ventures, I carry with me the invaluable experiences and relationships built over the years. I am excited for what lies ahead and remain confident that the teams at SPNI will continue to achieve great heights." 

Amazon India’s Kedar Ravangave joins Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kedar Ravangave, Head-Marketing, Brand and Category, Amazon India, has decided to move on after nearly a decade-long association with the ecommerce company. As per highly placed sources, he will be joining Kotak Mahindra Bank in a senior role and leading the marketing vertical for the business.

Kedar Ravangave joined the Kotak Mahindra Bank last week, amidst plans to revive the business and give it a revamped look. Ravangave will be working closely with Rohit Bhasin who came on board when Karthi Marshan moved out at the end of 2022, after clocking 16 years with the financial services company. Some further realignments and elevations are expected at the Group in the coming days, say sources.

Ravangave has 15 years of expertise in marketing and sales, 10 of which were spent at Amazon India where his primary focus was to elevate Amazon, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fashion, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pay, & Amazon Specials to make it the most cherished brand in the region.

With a portfolio exceeding Rs 1000 cr for Amazon India, Kedar spearheaded Amazon Prime brand development in India, implementing ‘Best at Amazon Prime’ playbooks that fuelled double-digit growth in Prime subscriptions. He also launched Amazon Fashion, bridging the gap with FK fashion group on perception and business outcomes; and initiated the Amazon Pay brand, propelling Payment Adoption to rank third in the category among affluent segments.

He has also conceptualised and launched the MPAM (Marketing Process and Assets Management) tool, driving streamlined processes while also establishing the in-house Regional Production hub (Studio CRICKET) for enhanced cost efficiency and quicker turnaround times at the e-commerce giant.

Before Amazon, Ravangave was associated with Marico. Despite his demanding role at Amazon India, Ravangave completed the gruelling Iron Man Australia triathlon in 2024, earning himself the moniker of ‘Iron Man of Amazon India’.

Swiggy Instamart names Sairam Krishnamurthy as COO

Swiggy Instamart has appointed Sairam Krishnamurthy as the Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. In this new role, Krishnamurthy will oversee Swiggy Instamart’s operating units, which include dark store operations, infrastructure operations, city growth and expansion.

"Sai’s extensive experience and impressive track record as an operator, leading cross-functional teams in a high-growth environment make him an ideal fit for Swiggy Instamart at this juncture of our journey. We welcome him to the team and look forward to his contributions in taking Swiggy Instamart to the next level of growth," says Girish Menon, CHRO at Swiggy.

Speaking about his new role, Krishnamurthy comments, "In just four years, Swiggy Instamart has become an integral part of consumers' lives. I am thrilled to join Team Swiggy in a business that I believe represents the future of grocery retail. As an ardent consumer turned operator, I am energised by the opportunity to drive profitable growth for Swiggy Instamart. I look forward to collaborating with the team to unlock the immense potential of the business and lead it into the next phase of growth."

Krishnamurthy brings over 18 years of experience in leadership roles spanning FMCG, consumer tech, and retail.

Previously, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the supermarket business at More Retail, where he also held the position of Chief Merchandising Officer before that. His career includes key roles at Ola Mobility as Head of India Supply and a 14-year tenure at Hindustan Unilever Limited in various roles in sales, marketing, and innovation. Krishnamurthy holds an engineering degree from BITS Pilani and a PGDM from IIM Bangalore.

NIIT appoints Anshumaan Prasad as Head of Marketing

NIIT has appointed Anshumaan Prasad as its new Head of Marketing. In his role, Prasad will lead NIIT Limited’s marketing strategy and initiatives, driving growth and enhancing the brand’s presence in the industry.

Prasad comes with more than 13 years of experience across FMCG, FMCD, and tech sectors, having worked with organisations such as HUL and Amazon. During his stints, he has displayed proven expertise in helping navigate businesses through various growth stages, managing resource constraints, and propelling market-leading brands. Throughout his career, Prasad has demonstrated a keen ability to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns, build strong brands, and lead high-performing teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Pankaj Jathar, Chief Executive Officer, NIIT states, "We are thrilled to welcome Anshumaan to the NIIT family. His exceptional track record in driving transformative marketing strategies, combined with his strategic acumen, positions him perfectly to lead NIIT's growth initiatives.”

Prasad has a rich and diverse background, holding a dual degree from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA from IIM Bangalore. Before joining NIIT, he was a Senior Brand Manager at Amazon India where he led the mass-marketing initiatives for Amazon Prime membership and Amazon Specials, driving substantial business growth over three years.

While expressing his enthusiasm about joining NIIT, Prasad shares, "I am honoured to join NIIT as the Head of Marketing. I look forward to collaborating with the team to harness the latest trends in marketing and technology to not only strengthen the brand’s market position but also drive NIIT towards even greater success in the dynamic landscape of skills and talent development.’’