MAM
Antony Rajkumar is the new planning head for Leo Burnett Delhi
MUMBAI: Leo Burnett Group India has announced the appointment of Antony Rajkumar as the planning head at Leo Burnett Delhi.
With this new assignment, Rajkumar will work closely with Rajeev Sharma, national brand planning head for the company to lead strategic planning and brand management and will be stationed at the agency’s Delhi office.
Welcoming Rajkumar to the company, Sharma said, “Antony will be a key contributor towards taking our HumanKind philosophy forward. His track record of providing outstanding business solutions to brands, over a career of over 18 years, speaks for itself. I am looking forward to his rich and varied experience in consulting, research, integrated communications, content marketing and brand storytelling in providing strategic depth to our client’s businesses.”
Agreeing with Sharma, Leo Burnett Delhi executive director Samir Gangahar added, “I am delighted to have Antony on board. As a genuinely integrated thinker I see him adding tremendous value to our clients’ businesses and the agency itself. Channeling this ability to create a compelling purpose and relevant participation platforms for our portfolio of brands will help us become an even stronger HumanKind agency.”
Prior to Leo Burnett, Rajkumar was working with J Walter Thompson (JWT) as VP and strategy planning director since 2011. During his tenure there, he was also a part of the WPP Blue Hive leadership team on the Ford Motor Company relationship for the region.
Thrilled about his new engagement, Rajkumar said, “My conversation with Leo Burnett helped me see a very young agency keen and ready to lead the evolution that our industry is going through. I’m excited to be part of this plan in taking Leo Burnett even further and higher, which is why I’m here!”
“Planning’s focus here is in finding purpose for products and participation from people to engage with that purpose. HumanKind, the agency’s global philosophy and approach, which I personally connect with, provides a great context to doing that,” he added.
Rajkumar began his career in January 2004, in planning with Maa Communications Bozell. He joined as branch manager and was soon promoted to vice president – strategy and planning. He then moved to Equitor Management Consulting as regional director before moving to JWT in 2011.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
