MAM
Bates CHI & Partners strengthens Bangalore ops with two news hires
MUMBAI: Bates CHI & Partners, a joint venture between Bates and CHI & Partners formed this month, has strengthened its Bangalore operations by roping in two creative directors, Mukund Sharma and Devesh Desai.
Mukund and Devesh will spearhead the creative teams of Bangalore as executive creative director and senior creative director respectively and will focus on creating and strategizing innovative campaigns reflecting the ‘changengage’ philosophy.
Both will report to Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar, the national creative director of Bates India.
CHI & Partners GM and Bangalore Head K Vasantha commented, “Our Bangalore office has been one of the most strongest performing branches for the agency. We are growing at a rapid pace, gaining good traction overall on the business as well as the creative front. Mukund and Devesh, are both young, energetic and raring to go with fresh ideas, and I am excited to welcome them onboard as a part of the process to strengthen the Bangalore team at bates CHI & Partners.”
Mukund Sharma has close to two decades of experience, including stints at JWT and Ogilvy. He joins Bates from Rediffusion Y&R, where he was creative head of the Bangalore office. At Rediffusion, he was associated with the launch of Arrow New York, Signature and Reliance Jewels, among others. He has worked on a diverse mix of categories including beer (Kingfisher, Foster’s), apparel (Levi’s, Van Heusen, Arrow) and IT (IBM).
Devesh has had 20 years of experience in advertising stints at SSCB Lintas, Contract advertising, Everest Brand solutions, etc and is most known for his contribution to Anti-smoking poster that saw nominations at Cannes in 2001.
Commenting on the new hires, Bates CHI & Partners India CEO Sanjay Thapar said, “Bates CHI & Partners in India continues to grow at a good pace with some new appointments, new partnerships and client wins. Mukund and Devesh‘s appointment is a key step in strengthening our commitment to deliver big and bold creative ideas that solve a client/brand‘s business problems. Bangalore is an important market for us and given their expertise and well-proven track record, I am confident that both Mukund and Devesh will help take our work and relationships to the next level of creativity.”
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.
