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Fox International Channels makes new executive appointments in Asia
MUMBAI: Fox International Channels (FIC) has made three new appointments in its leadership team in Asia. Veteran FIC executives Rohit D’Silva and David Shin will see their roles being expanded, whereas Prakash Ramchandani joins the network to lead its non-linear strategy.
Effective immediately, D’Silva takes on the role of executive vice president – commercial, a newly created division, which oversees the network’s revenue streams across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, with the exception of advertising sales. In his new role, D’Silva oversees growth strategy for affiliate and non-linear partnerships, international channel distribution outside of Asia, as well as content syndication across all genres. FIC aims to broaden its relationships with new and existing partners by offering a multi-faceted portfolio of traditional and OTT products and services under one commercial division.
D’Silva has been with FIC Asia for 11 years, first starting out in India and then moving to Dubai as general manager of FIC Middle East in 2006. In 2013, he moved to Singapore to lead the sports division when ESPN Star Sports, which subsequently became Fox Sports, came under the network’s fold. In his new capacity, he will still retain his sports content acquisition duties and will continue to be based in Singapore. For his responsibilities covering Hong Kong & Southeast Asia and all sports acquisitions, D’Silva will continue to report into Joon Lee, who holds a dual role as FIC executive vice president of content & communications for Asia Pacific & Middle East and managing director of Hong Kong & Southeast Asia.
For his commercial responsibilities outside of HK and SE Asia, D’Silva will report into FIC president of Asia Pacific & Middle East Zubin Gandevia.
FIC promoted Shin to the role of general manager of its business and operations in Japan. In his new role, Shin will be responsible for FIC Japan’s P&L, growth strategy, content, marketing and channel operations. He joined FIC in 2009 and was leading the content & communications division in Japan prior to his promotion. In his tenure as head of content, he took the network’s content and channel operations from strength to strength, overseeing the introduction of sports content into FIC Japan’s portfolio, and pioneered the development of OTT platform partnerships, including recent groundbreaking deals. Shin reports into Gandevia.
Ramchandani joins FIC as vice president of Non-Linear Products for Hong Kong & Southeast Asia. In this newly created role, Ramchandani will be responsible for driving FIC’s non-linear strategy and product development across the region, including the network’s authenticated TV Everywhere services and new OTT business models. Ramchandani joins FIC from Spuul, a global OTT service, where he set up their Indian subsidiary and managed its P&L, as well devised the company’s overseas strategy since 2011. The appointment underscores FIC’s development and investment in the non-linear space, as part of the network’s commitment to working with new and existing partners to deliver quality content to viewers in all the ways that suit their consumption behavior. Ramchandani reports to Lee and will be based in Singapore.
Commenting on the executives’ new leadership roles, Lee said, “Our business is growing rapidly in Asia and our success depends in large part on having the right leaders in place. Rohit and David have been an integral part of the FIC Asia family so I can’t think of better executives to take on the roles they have. Non-linear products are a big part of our future and I’m pleased to have an experienced executive like Prakash onboard to help us drive this area. He is a pioneer and early mover in this space and I have no doubt he will take our plans forward rapidly.”
“As our business grows, so do our people. We have a clear vision for our business and having the right talent in key roles is integral to achieving all that we want to achieve. I am lucky to be surrounded by very capable executives who complement each other and are equally driven to achieve our vision. FIC Asia’s leadership team will continue to strengthen and I look forward to taking our business to new heights as a team,” added Gandevia.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
