MAM
Havas Media Singapore’s Melvin Lim is new APAC CCO; Jacqui Lim to replace him
MUMBAI: Havas Media has elevated its current CEO of Singapore Melvin Lim to the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Havas Media Group, Asia Pacific.
Jacqui Lim, the current MD of Singapore operations, will take over as the CEO of Havas
Media Group, Singapore.
In the new role, Melvin will be responsible for regional business development across all brands of Havas Media Group, including Havas Media, Arena Media and the specialist brands: Socialyse, Ecselis, Mobext and Affiperf.
In addition to the CCO role, he will continue to be the regional lead for Havas Sports & Entertainment, a concurrent role he took over in 2014.
Melvin joined Havas Media in 2011 and is credited with not only exponentially growing the Singapore operations but also transforming the agency into one of the most respected and competitive agencies in the country.
Commenting on the promotions, Havas Media Group, Asia Pacific, CEO Vishnu Mohan said, “Our Singapore operations has grown from strength to strength under Melvin’s leadership and we were keen to utilise his strong business acumen at a regional level. The role of Chief Commercial Officer is a natural fit for him given his background as a marketer, his experience with the network and his relationship with the wider global and local teams. I am confident that Melvin will be big asset to the regional team.”
“Jacqui is a natural leader and has more than proven her credentials for taking on a bigger role. She is a new business star, a talent magnet and a strategic thinker. I have no doubt that she will lead our Singapore operations to new heights of success,” added Vishnu.
Prior to joining Havas Media, Melvin was Head of Marketing for DBS Consumer Bank in Singapore where he led and managed all of DBS’ and POSB’s marketing programmes. Before this, Melvin spent four years as Deputy Director, Consumer Marketing at Singtel and
10 years with Asia Pacific Breweries, where he developed his foundation in Marketing and
Brand Management.
Jacqui joined Havas Media as Managing Director in October 2014 after having spent six years in ZenithOptimedia. In her previous role, she was Executive Director, General Manager, followed by Managing Director of the Singapore office. She was pivotal in leading and winning the Changi Airport Group pitch in 2013 as well as the Asia Pacific Breweries pitch in 2010.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
