MAM
Manish Sharma steps down as Panasonic chairman
MUMBAI: After 17 years of electrifying leadership, Manish Sharma is pulling the plug on his Panasonic journey. The long-time industry stalwart has stepped down as chairman of Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia, marking the end of an era for the brand’s India operations.
Sharma, who began his Panasonic innings in 2008, rose through the ranks with trademark precision, from managing director to president & CEO of Panasonic India, and eventually chairman in 2021. Over nearly two decades, he steered the company’s expansion across B2C, B2B and B2G segments, driving strategy, innovation and growth in India and beyond.
Under his watch, Panasonic strengthened its foothold across consumer electronics, electrical construction materials, and smart home solutions. Known for his steady hand and future-focused mindset, Sharma helped transform the brand into a more agile, digital-ready enterprise.
Before joining Panasonic, he built his expertise at Samsung, Haier and LG Electronics, where he honed his technical and leadership acumen, from R&D and operations to marketing and product development. His career trajectory reads like a blueprint for India’s consumer electronics evolution over the past three decades.
Sharma’s departure marks the close of a significant chapter for Panasonic’s India operations, where he played a key role in driving growth and innovation.
As he steps away from the boardroom, Sharma leaves behind a legacy defined by innovation, resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, qualities that have kept Panasonic’s light shining bright in India’s dynamic market.
Brands
Himanshu Khanna joins CKA Birla Group as group chief marketing officer: report
Former Raymond lifestyle CMO to lead group-wide brand and marketing strategy
MUMBAI: According to a media report citing industry sources, senior marketing leader Himanshu Khanna has joined CKA Birla Group as group chief marketing officer.
Khanna moves from Raymond Limited, where he served as chief marketing officer for the lifestyle division since August 2021, overseeing the marketing transformation of the company’s nearly $1 billion lifestyle business. His tenure featured a sharper consumer focus, a digital-first operating model and large-scale retail and brand modernisation.
At Raymond, Khanna led brand strategy and growth across a broad portfolio including Raymond suiting and shirting, Park Avenue, ColorPlus, Parx, Ethnix by Raymond, ready-to-wear, Raymond Home and Raymond made-to-measure. His remit also covered retail marketing, digital marketing, consumer insights, visual merchandising and brand protection.
Before joining Raymond, Khanna was business head for the FMCG division at RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, with full P&L responsibility. During this period, he scaled the snack brand Too Yumm!, drove rapid revenue growth, led the integration of Apricot Foods following its acquisition and executed a business turnaround.
Khanna’s career spans over three decades across global consumer companies, with senior leadership roles at Beam Suntory, Wrigley, PepsiCo, Cadbury and Nestlé.
Widely regarded as a seasoned marketing operator, Khanna is a familiar presence at leading industry forums and is considered among the most in-demand marketing leaders in the country.
