MAM
Indian market is both a challenge and an opportunity: Matt Seddon
MUMBAI: Matt Seddon, the newly appointed Saatchi & Saatchi India CEO, who will be replacing Kamal Basu, is all set to take the advertising agency‘s India business to newer heights.
Talking to Indiantelevision.com, Matt revealed his plans for the growth in Saatchi & Saatchi India, which he thinks “needs to improve dramatically”.
“For a global company like ours in a market like India, we need to dramatically improve our performance. The India and China businesses are not performing as good as other worldwide businesses,” he said.
Seddon, who will be shifting base from Manila, the Philippines, feels that India shows lots of potential but it is a challenge to tap the market. He said, “My job in India would be to take the business to the new level. There is a need to do better in India. It is both a challenge and opportunity. In India we are not meeting the real potential.”
“I presently have three objectives in mind after I take over as Saatchi & Saatchi India CEO. Emersion and understanding of the business of India is the first thing on the list. I will sit with Kamal Basu (current CEO, serving notice period) and team and understand about the Indian clients, the market, capabilities of Indian offices, growth opportunities and then take necessary steps accordingly. I will refocus and recognise the business for growth. I will aim to grow the business with existing clients and also grow by roping in new clients”, he added.
Digital media is evolving both in India and worldwide and Seddon feels that digital mind is required for the business‘s growth today. “It‘s important to facilitate digital thinking throughout the agency.”
Seddon will be shifting to India in January 2012 and will be operating from the agency‘s Mumbai office.
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.
