L'Oréal has announced the elevation of Saksham Sharma to the position of Head of Media for its Luxe and Dermatological Beauty Divisions in India. In his expanded role, Sharma will oversee media strategy and execution for some of the company’s most prestigious brands, building on his extensive digital marketing expertise.   Prior to this role, Sharma served as Senior Manager - Digital Marketing for L'Oréal’s Professional Products Division, where he played a critical role in enhancing the brand’s digital footprint. He has been with the company for approximately three years, contributing to its digital growth and brand impact.   Before joining L'Oréal, Sharma gained valuable experience at leading organizations, including Philip Morris International, Philips, and Videocon, where he developed a strong foundation in digital and brand management.   Sharma confirmed his new role through a recent LinkedIn update, expressing his commitment to further strengthening L'Oréal’s presence in the Luxe and Dermatological Beauty segments.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) has appointed Vishak Kumar as the Chief Executive Officer of Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands.   Kumar, a seasoned leader within the Aditya Birla Group, brings extensive experience in retail and brand management to his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as the CEO of Madura Fashion & Lifestyle, a key division of ABFRL known for leading menswear brands like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Peter England.   Kumar's journey with the Aditya Birla Group began in 1995 as a management trainee, and over the years, he has held various leadership positions in sales, marketing, and retail. His tenure at ABFRL has been marked by strategic brand growth, operational excellence, and a focus on expanding the reach of Madura's brands across India.   He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, reflecting a strong foundation in both technology and business management.

Titan Company has announced the appointment of Ajoy Chawla as its new managing director, effective January 1, 2026. Chawla, currently the chief executive officer of Titan's jewellery division, will succeed C.K. Venkataraman, who will retire on December 31, 2025, after serving as managing director since October 2019.   Chawla, a Tata veteran who joined the group in 1990, has held various leadership roles within Titan, including positions in the watches division and as chief strategy officer. Since 2019, he has been at the helm of the jewellery division, overseeing significant growth and transformation.   The appointment is subject to the approval of Titan's shareholders. The company is expected to announce Chawla's successor for the jewellery division in the coming months.

Kering and Gucci have officially announced the appointment of Demna as the House’s new Artistic Director, set to take the helm in early July 2025. Known for his visionary approach and disruptive take on fashion, Demna has redefined modern luxury through his tenure at Balenciaga, where he has served as Artistic Director since 2015. His influence on contemporary culture and his ability to merge heritage with innovation have solidified his reputation as one of the most influential creatives in the industry today.   François-Henri Pinault, Chairman & CEO of Kering, acknowledged Demna’s impact, stating: “Demna's contribution to the industry, to Balenciaga, and to the Group's success has been tremendous. His creative power is exactly what Gucci needs. As I thank him for everything he has accomplished over the past 10 years, I look forward to seeing him shape Gucci’s new artistic direction.”   Francesca Bellettini, Kering Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development, echoed this sentiment: “Demna’s profound understanding of contemporary culture, coupled with his extensive experience in conceiving visionary projects, has established him as one of the most influential and accomplished creatives of his generation. His appointment as Artistic Director is the perfect catalyst to reignite Gucci’s creative energy. I look forward to the collaboration of Demna and Stefano as they lead Gucci into a new era of success.”   Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci, expressed his enthusiasm for the new chapter, saying: “I have always admired Demna's creative approach, which is both unique and powerful. His ability to honor the iconic legacy of a brand while embracing a modern sensibility is extraordinary. With Gucci’s strengthened foundations as a springboard, Demna will lead the House towards renewed fashion authority and enduring cultural relevance.”   For Demna, this appointment marks a defining moment in his career. Reflecting on his new role, he shared: “I am truly excited to join the Gucci family. It is an honor to contribute to a House that I deeply respect and have long admired. I look forward to writing together with Stefano and the whole team a new chapter of Gucci's amazing story.”   With this appointment, Gucci signals a fresh creative direction, blending its iconic heritage with Demna’s boundary-pushing vision. As the luxury industry eagerly anticipates his debut collection, all eyes will be on how he reshapes the House’s legacy for a new generation.

Page Industries has announced the appointment of Karthik Yathindra as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2025. With a rich experience spanning over nine years within the company, Yathindra has been a pivotal figure in driving strategic initiatives and fostering growth across key business verticals.   Throughout his tenure at Page Industries, Yathindra has held leadership roles encompassing sales, retail, product management, marketing, and supply chain. His deep understanding of the company's operations and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in strengthening its market position and expanding its consumer base.   In his new role as CEO, Yathindra will spearhead the company’s strategic vision, focusing on innovation, operational excellence, and delivering value to consumers, partners, and stakeholders. His leadership aims to enhance Page Industries’ legacy as a trusted name in the innerwear and athleisure segments.   Sharing his excitement about this new chapter, Karthik Yathindra remarked, "It is a privilege to lead Page Industries and work with a talented team to continue driving innovation and success. I am committed to building on our strong foundation and delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders."   Page Industries is confident that Yathindra appointment will further solidify its leadership in the industry and position the company for sustained growth in the years to come.

Nykaa, a leading fashion eCommerce platform, has announced the appointment of Abhijeet Dabas as Executive Vice President and Business Head - Fashion eCommerce. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Abhijeet brings extensive experience from his strategic roles at McKinsey & Company and leadership positions at prominent tech and e-commerce firms, including Cars24, Swiggy, Myntra, and Lazada.   In his new role, Abhijeet will lead Nykaa Fashion’s online growth strategy, drive global expansion, and build strategic partnerships, including current alliances with major international retailers such as Foot Locker and REVOLVE. His expertise is expected to further Nykaa’s ambition of strengthening its position in the fashion e-commerce sector.

Sports company PUMA has appointed Indrajeet Sen (38) as Senior Vice President PUMA Group Sourcing, taking over the operational responsibilities of the Chief Sourcing Officer role. PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer Anne-Laure Descours has decided not to extend her board contract and will support the company as an external advisor in the field of sustainability.   In his new position, Indy will oversee the global sourcing and development of footwear, apparel, and accessories, as well as operations and sustainability, reporting directly to PUMA Chief Product Officer Maria Valdes. He will be based in Xiamen, China. Indy has been with PUMA since 2016, most recently working as Vice President of Sourcing and Development Footwear. Before joining PUMA, he worked as Global Quality Manager for German footwear retailer Deichmann.   “Indy has been instrumental to our success in Footwear,” said Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA. “He has excelled in various key roles such as adeptly managing the challenges of the COVID pandemic, diversifying our supply chain, and driving exceptional operational efficiency. Indy’s forward-thinking approach, people-first mindset, and relentless dedication of continuously challenging the status quo make him the ideal leader to spearhead our next phase of growth. I would like to thank Anne-Laure for her outstanding contributions she has made to PUMA’s business over the past years, especially when it comes to successfully establishing and executing PUMA’s sustainability strategy, which earned PUMA international recognition and awards in this space. I look forward to continuing to work with her as our external advisor in the field of sustainability.”   Anne-Laure Descours has decided after more than 12 years with PUMA that she will not extend her services as a Board Member of PUMA SE. After more than 35 years in the industry, she intends to dedicate more time to her personal interests and continue her professional focus in the fields of sustainability. In this capacity, she will continue to support PUMA as external advisor and sustainability consultant to ensure continuity and a seamless transition.   With Anne-Laure’s departure at the end of 2024, the number of members of the management board will be reduced from four to three. The board will consist of Arne Freundt, CEO, Hubert Hinterseher, Chief Financial Officer and Maria Valdes, Chief Product Officer. 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announced the appointment of Akhil Shrivastava as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 1, 2024. He succeeds Tracey T. Travis, who will retire on June 30, 2025.   Shrivastava, with over 25 years of financial and leadership experience, joined ELC in 2015 and has held several senior roles, most recently as Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller. He previously spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble. Shrivastava holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Control from Delhi University and is a graduate of Engineering College in Rewa, India.   In his new role, Shrivastava will oversee Global Finance, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, and New Business Development.

26-06-2024: Sports company PUMA has appointed Erik Janshen (46) to lead its worldwide Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business, which includes PUMA’s owned and operated stores, the website puma.com and several online marketplaces.   Erik, a German national, has more than 10 years of experience in leadership positions in digital sales and the DTC business, most recently as the SVP of Digital Sales for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein at PVH Corp.   Improving the quality of its distribution is one of PUMA’s strategic priorities and seamlessly connecting consumers with the company’s products and initiatives both online and offline is an important aspect of this.   “We are incredibly fortunate to have Erik join the PUMAFamily, and I am confident that his leadership will drive us towards our ambitious goals to elevate our DTC consumer experience to drive further brand heat,” said PUMA CEO Arne Freundt. “His innovative approach and passion for consumer-centric strategies will undoubtedly be an asset for our DTC business.”   Erik replaces Karthik Balagopalan, who was appointed as Managing Director of PUMA India last year and has been leading PUMA’s DTC business on an interim basis since then.