MAM
Kult names Parag Gupta CFO as it sharpens financial strategy for rapid growth
MUMBAI: Kult, the AI-led beauty and personalisation platform, has appointed Parag Gupta as chief financial officer as the company accelerates its expansion and locks in large inventory-financing lines from banks and institutional lenders.
Gupta, a chartered accountant and business-transformation specialist with more than 20 years’ experience, has led financial strategy across global technology and consumer businesses. He previously served as group CFO at College Dekho, directed PayPal India’s market entry, acted as India CFO at AT&T, and oversaw global financial operations at Nimbuzz BVI. His career spans multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses, offshore operations and complex finance transitions for firms including Washington Mutual Bank and Dell International Services.
“Parag’s mix of MNC discipline and startup agility is rare,” said Kult e-commerce founder and CEO Karishma Singh. “With major inventory financing underway, having a financial steward of his calibre was essential.”
Gupta will steer mergers and acquisitions, investor engagement and corporate development as Kult builds on its recent $20 million Series A raise. He said India’s beauty market remains at a “nascent stage”, with Kult poised to carve out a niche through AI and personalisation.
His appointment strengthens Kult’s senior bench alongside recent hires including Rishi as chief business officer and Ravish as head of marketing, as the platform looks to reshape India’s beauty-retail landscape through technology.
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.
