Perfetti, Blue Star Get New Bosses

Nikhil Sharma to lead Perfetti Van Melle India as new MD

Perfetti Van Melle India has appointed Nikhil Sharma as its new managing director. Sharma is currently the managing director of Perfetti Van Melle Vietnam.

He joined the brand in 1999 as a management trainee, serving various roles in sales and marketing. In 2015, he moved to general management and went overseas to head PVM Philippines, followed by being appointed the Managing Director of PVM Vietnam.

Starting February 2024, he will be running the India business as Managing Director, leveraging his global experience on Perfetti's Indian chapter.

During his previous stint in India, under his leadership, PVM launched several successful campaigns - Alpenliebe Kajol & the Crocodile, Re-launch of Big Babol ads, Chlormint Salman Khan campaign of Dobara mat Poochna and Lollipops – Lagey Raho to mention a few.

Sharma's return to India follows the exit of MD Rajesh Ramakrishnan. Before PVM, Ramakrishnan worked at Hindustan Times, where he was head - marketing and at Apollo Tyres, where he was head - global marketing.

Vir S Advani to be Blue Star’s Chairman & MD

The Board of Blue Star has elevated Vir S Advani as Chairman & Managing Director with effect from April 1, 2024. He will succeed Shailesh Haribhakti, who will be completing two consecutive terms as an Independent Director and will be retiring from the Board on March 31, 2024.

Shailesh Haribhakti joined the Board of Blue Star in 2005 as an Independent Director and was elevated to the position of Independent Chairman in 2019. Under his exemplary leadership, the Company grew significantly with all its businesses performing very well.

Advani holds bachelor’s degrees in Systems Engineering and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He has also completed a comprehensive Executive Management Program at the Harvard Business School. After a 2-year working stint in a private equity firm in New York, Vir joined Blue Star Infotech in 2000 and later founded Blue Star Design & Engineering in 2003, designated as its Chief Executive Officer. In 2007, he moved to Blue Star as Vice President - Corporate Affairs. He was promoted as Executive Vice President in 2008; President - Corporate Affairs & Special Projects in 2009; Executive Director in 2010. In 2016, Vir was appointed Managing Director of the Company. He was, thereafter, elevated to the position of Vice Chairman, and re-designated Vice Chairman & Managing Director on April 1, 2019.

Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman, Blue Star comments, “Vir has been with the Blue Star group of companies for nearly 25 years. Having initially managed several independent assignments in associate companies, he joined Blue Star Ltd in 2007 and made valuable contributions in several senior staff and operational positions. India is a fast-growing market for air conditioning and refrigeration products, and Blue Star is well-positioned to consolidate its market leadership and accelerate its growth. Vir is leading from the front and is spearheading the Company’s plans to grow faster than the market and improve its profitability through significant investments in R&D, Manufacturing, and expansion of its international footprint. There is no doubt that he is the most deserving and the Blue Star Board is unanimous in selecting him as my successor with effect from April 1, 2024. I am confident that under his able leadership, Blue Star will sustain its good performance and reach new heights as it marches towards its centennial.”