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.

Deepika Deepti has been appointed as the Head of Marketing at Bata India, bringing over two decades of invaluable experience in the footwear industry. With a proven track record of success in marketing and business roles at leading footwear brands, Deepti is known for her innovative strategies and keen understanding of consumer behavior.   Prior to joining Bata India, Deepti held the position of Senior Vice President of Marketing at Metro Brands, where she played a pivotal role in driving brand growth and market expansion. Her contributions to introducing sneaker culture in India through her roles at adidas and CAMP SMA have been widely recognized.   In her new role at Bata India, Deepti is poised to lead the marketing efforts of the iconic brand known for its trust and quality. She is eager to leverage her expertise to bring unique experiences to Bata’s extensive portfolio of brands and further strengthen the company's position in the market.   With a focus on innovation and adapting to evolving consumer preferences, Deepti's appointment underscores Bata India's commitment to driving growth and building strong brand equity. Her visionary leadership and strategic insights are expected to propel the brand towards new heights of success in the dynamic footwear industry.

FSN E-Commerce Ventures, popularly known as Nykaa, has announced the appointment of Santosh Desai as an independent director on its Board, effective July 15, 2024, for a term of three years, subject to shareholder approval.   Santosh Desai brings a rich background in brand strategy and advertising, having served as the CEO of Future Brands for nearly 17 years. His extensive experience includes a significant tenure as the president of McCann, where he spent over two decades building key brands for various local and multinational organizations.   In addition to his new role at Nykaa, Desai serves on the boards of Think9 Consumer Technologies, Dainik Jagran Group, and Breakthrough. He is also a member of the Governing Councils of Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad, and Praxis Business School, Kolkata. His past board memberships include ING Vysya Bank and OXFAM India, highlighting his vast expertise and leadership in the industry.   Nykaa’s leadership believes that Desai’s strategic insight and deep understanding of the relationship between culture and brands will be invaluable. His appointment is expected to provide significant guidance in strengthening Nykaa’s brand equity and supporting the company’s vision for sustained global success.

L’Oreal India announces the appointment of Raagjeet Garg as Director – consumer products division (CPD). He will take over from Pankaj Sharma, who has been elevated to Managing Director- consumer products division, L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand.   In his new role, Raagjeet will be responsible for the accelerated growth of L’Oreal India CPD which houses L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York, and NYX Professional Makeup. He will lead the company’s initiatives on market growth strategies such as developing innovative product offerings, ensuring effective marketing and distribution, delivering on both valorisation and democratisation missions.   Raagjeet has over twenty years of experience in personal care and beauty. He joined L’Oreal in May 2009, and successfully launched Garnier Men in India. Subsequently, went on to lead L’Oreal Paris in India where he developed the Ecommerce business for the brand, ensuring a double-digit growth through his tenure. Raagjeet had a stint with L’Oreal Australia in 2019 as the L’Oreal Paris general manager and then moved to L’Oreal Vietnam as the business head - consumer products division.

Aditya Birla Textiles at Grasim Industries Limited, a flagship company of USD 60 billion Aditya Birla Group, has welcomed Chandra Bhattacharjee as the new Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO).     With over 32 years of industry experience, Bhattacharjee has been with Aditya Birla Group since 2004 serving the company in various roles and responsibilities.   “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Human Resources Officer, Aditya Birla Textiles at GRASIM INDUSTRIES LIMITED ( ADITYA BIRLA GROUP)!,” Bhattacharjee posted on Linkedin.   She has been serving Aditya Birla Textiles as CHRO since August 2023. Besides Aditya Birla Group, she also worked with the National Stock Exchange, DGP Windsor, Silverline Industries, and Larsen & Toubro.   In her previous role at Aditya Birla Group, Bhattacharjee held the CHRO role for the domestic chemicals, insulator, overseas chemicals, and fertilizer businesses of the Aditya Birla Group.

Ace Turtle, a leading technology-native retail company in India, has announced the appointment of Pradeep Mukim as its Chief Commercial Officer. In his new role, Pradeep will spearhead the sourcing function and outlet business, while also driving strategic initiatives for Ace Turtle.   Bringing over thirty-three years of experience and expertise in the Indian fashion and apparel industry, Pradeep Mukim has a stellar track record in building and managing high-performing sales teams, developing successful sales strategies, and establishing strategic partnerships. His most recent role was Co-founder & CEO at Onip Lifestyle, a startup focused on school uniforms. Pradeep has held significant leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer at Reid & Taylor India, Head of International Business Development at Reliance Brands, and Senior Vice President at VF Corporation.   Nitin Chhabra, CEO of Ace Turtle, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, "We are excited to welcome Pradeep to the Ace Turtle leadership team. As a rapidly growing company with ambitious expansion plans for our brands, having Pradeep, a fashion industry veteran and former entrepreneur aboard, is invaluable. His extensive experience, strategic vision, and passion for building customer-centric businesses will be critical as we continue to leverage technology to launch new brands and scale the business of existing brands.”   Pradeep Mukim, the newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Ace Turtle, shared his excitement, stating, “I am deeply impressed by Ace Turtle’s innovative and technology-driven approach to scaling the business of global fashion and lifestyle brands in India. I am excited to partner with the talented team here to accelerate the company’s growth and unlock new avenues for success.”   Since 2023, Ace Turtle has significantly expanded its leadership team to facilitate rapid and sustainable growth while continuing to broaden its licensed brands portfolio. The company serves as the exclusive licensee for iconic global denim brands Lee and Wrangler. Additionally, it holds licensing rights for the renowned American toy retail chain Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us and the California-based casual wear brand Dockers in India and other South Asian markets.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, announced today that Gary Smith has been appointed chief executive officer, effective November 27, 2023.   Smith will replace Dean Williams who has served as acting CEO since August. Williams will continue in his role as chief financial officer and assist with the transition. Smith will be responsible for The LYCRA Company’s global organization and will report to the company’s board of directors.   Smith is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry, with a focus on brand-driven commercial strategy, operational transformation and global expansion. Most recently, Smith held the position of CEO at Hatteras Yachts, Inc., a custom motor and sports fishing yacht company, leading a successful turnaround and subsequent sale of the company. As CEO of Polartec, he spearheaded transformation efforts that set the textile company on a path to success. He also previously served as president of the Outdoor Group at The Timberland Company.   “Gary is a proven CEO with deep brand experience and knowledge of our industry, along with a long history of successfully growing companies and creating shareholder value,” said Craig Rogerson, Executive Chairman of The LYCRA Company. “We are confident that his leadership will help us accelerate our long-term growth plans.”   “I am excited to join The LYCRA Company with its portfolio of world-class brands, pre-eminent market position, and history of innovation,” said Smith. “I look forward to leading this incredible organization and working collaboratively to build upon its foundational success."