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Manoj Kohli joins Adobe International Advisory Board to steer AI shift
Former Airtel CEO to guide global clients through digital and AI transformation
NEW DELHI: Manoj Kohli, former India head of SoftBank and ex-CEO of Bharti Airtel, has joined the Adobe International Advisory Board, signalling Adobe’s continued push to help businesses navigate the fast-evolving AI landscape.
The advisory board, set up in 2021, brings together global leaders to guide organisations through technological and strategic change. Kohli’s appointment adds nearly five decades of leadership experience spanning telecom, technology, renewable energy and digital innovation.
Currently chairman and managing partner at MK Knowledge LLP, Kohli advises CEOs and founders across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the United States. He is also actively involved in mentoring and teaching leadership at global business schools.
Speaking on the appointment, Manoj Kohli said, “I’m delighted to join the Adobe International Advisory Board to work with customers at this pivotal time when AI is rapidly transforming how customers discover and engage with brands, and reshaping how enterprises operate and create value. Adobe has consistently enabled organisations to enhance creativity and productivity, and orchestrate personalised experiences to drive growth. I look forward to contributing my perspective and working closely with fellow leaders to help shape their next era of growth.”
Welcoming him to the board, Adobe president JAPAC Ben Goodman said, “India is one of the fastest-growing digital markets in the world, and organisations are increasingly looking to AI and digital experience technologies to drive innovation and growth. Manoj’s extensive leadership experience and strong focus on excellence and integrity will be invaluable for our customers as they navigate complexity, unlock new growth opportunities, and deliver exceptional experiences at scale.”
Kohli previously led SoftBank’s India operations, overseeing more than $15 billion in investments across high-growth companies such as Ola, OYO, Zomato, Lenskart, Meesho, Flipkart, Swiggy and Delhivery. His tenure at Bharti Airtel saw the telecom giant expand from two million to over 400 million customers, cementing its position as a global player.
With digital transformation accelerating across industries, Adobe is betting on seasoned leaders like Kohli to help clients translate strategy into sustained growth. His appointment underscores a broader trend where experience meets innovation, as companies look to balance legacy strengths with future-ready thinking.
Brands
Kotak Mahindra Prime names Suraj Rajappan as managing director and chief executive
The car-finance arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank lines up a new chief and raises its borrowing limit
MUMBAI: Suraj Rajappan is getting the keys. Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited (KMPL), India’s veteran car-finance outfit, has named him managing director and chief executive, effective June 1st, 2026—the same day his predecessor drives off into retirement.
The board approved the appointment at its meeting on March 18th. Rajappan, currently a whole-time director at the company, has spent his entire 24-year career at KMPL, working across functions before rising to the top job. The three-year term remains subject to shareholder approval, and the company confirmed he faces no bar from SEBI or any other authority from holding the post.
He takes over from Shahrukh Todiwala, who superannuates on May 31st after more than three decades with the Kotak Group. Ashok Vaswani, managing director and chief executive of parent Kotak Mahindra Bank, was generous in his send-off. Todiwala, he said, “leaves behind a legacy marked by prudent growth, strong risk discipline, and a focus on customer-centricity.” Of his successor, Vaswani was equally bullish: Rajappan’s “deep industry experience and execution capabilities position KMPL well for its next phase of growth.”
The board also loosened the purse strings, raising the company’s overall outstanding debt limit from Rs 43,000 crore to Rs 48,000 crore. The expanded ceiling covers bank loans, debentures, commercial paper, treasury operations, credit facilities and external commercial borrowings.
KMPL has operated as a car-finance company since 1996, branching into two-wheeler loans in 2018 and loans against property in 2021. With fresh leadership, a bigger borrowing arsenal and an ambitious lender for a parent, Rajappan’s first task is clear: step on the accelerator.
