Brands
OnePlus exit rumours return as India head Robin Liu steps down
Leadership shift sparks fresh questions, but brand insists India plans stay on track
MUMBAI: Talk of OnePlus pulling the plug has resurfaced after the company confirmed that its India head, Robin Liu, has stepped down. The timing has raised eyebrows, especially as India remains one of the brand’s most crucial markets.
In a brief statement, the company acknowledged the exit, saying, “We thank Robin for his contributions to OnePlus India. He moves on to pursue his personal passions, and we wish him the very best for his future endeavours.” It added that operations in India would continue with business continuity intact.
However, a report by The Economic Times suggests the move may be part of a deeper organisational reset. According to the report, Liu was recently asked to report to Sky Li, who has taken on a broader role within the OPPO group, overseeing sub-brands including OnePlus.
The shift marks a notable change in hierarchy. Liu and Li previously operated as peers, each independently running their respective brands. That structure now appears to have been streamlined under a more centralised leadership model.
The development also contrasts with Liu’s earlier stance. In January, OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu publicly dismissed shutdown rumours, stating the company was “operating as usual” and would continue to do so. The brand had also issued a clarification at the time, calling such reports false and urging stakeholders to rely on verified information.
Market data, however, paints a more challenging picture. Shipments in India have declined sharply, with Cybermedia Research reporting a 32 per cent drop in 2025, while International Data Corporation pegged the year-on-year fall at 38.8 per cent. The slowdown highlights increasing pressure in an intensely competitive smartphone market.
Despite the noise, there is little to suggest an immediate exit. The company is gearing up to launch the OnePlus Nord 6 in April, signalling continued activity in the near term. At the same time, OPPO Chief Product Officer Pete Lau confirmed plans for a global launch of the Find X9 Ultra, hinting at a broader realignment of brand roles within the group.
For consumers in India, the message remains steady for now. Devices are coming, operations continue, and support is unlikely to disappear overnight. Still, the leadership reshuffle and shifting hierarchy suggest something more nuanced than business as usual.
The takeaway is clear. OnePlus is not shutting down, but it is clearly reshaping its playbook. Whether this recalibration sharpens its edge or further blurs its identity in a crowded market is the question that now lingers.
Brands
Emami names Dhruv Aggarwal as chief growth officer
Former Bain partner steps in as FMCG firm sharpens growth playbook
MUMBAI: Emami Limited has appointed Dhruv Aggarwal as its chief growth officer, effective 25 March 2026, following the resignation of Giriraj Bagri.
Aggarwal joins the FMCG major from Bain & Company, where he most recently served as partner. With over two decades of experience across consulting and strategy, he brings a global perspective shaped by work across India, the US, the UK and Germany.
During his tenure at Bain, Aggarwal advised consumer, retail and media companies on large-scale transformations, business turnarounds and growth strategies. He was also closely involved with India’s startup ecosystem, guiding early-stage ventures on scaling and digital expansion, while supporting private equity and venture capital firms on investment decisions.
His earlier stints include a brief role at Barclays Capital and operational experience at Jindal Power, giving him a mix of financial and industry exposure.
Academically, Aggarwal holds an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and has also been associated with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a PhD candidate and teaching assistant.
The appointment comes at a time when Emami Limited is looking to sharpen its growth strategy in a competitive consumer market. With a seasoned strategist now at the helm of growth, the company appears set to double down on transformation and expansion in the months ahead.
