Brands
Celsius100 Consulting names Rhys Rufus CEO
Long-time leader steps up as firm bets on continuity to drive next growth phase
BENGALURU: Celsius100 Consulting Private Limited has elevated long-serving leader Rhys Rufus to chief executive officer, marking a leadership shift as the firm prepares for its next phase of growth.
Rufus takes over from founder S Ghosh, who will continue as founder and managing director. In his new role, Ghosh will focus on strategic direction and new business opportunities, while Rufus assumes responsibility for daily operations and growth initiatives.
The appointment caps a 16-year journey for Rufus at the company. Having joined in its early years, he went on to build Celsius100’s digital services arm from scratch, turning it into one of the firm’s fastest-growing verticals. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its capabilities across digital marketing strategy, performance marketing, campaign execution and measurement.
Beyond digital, Rufus has played a key role in shaping the organisation’s talent pool and expanding its client base. He has led business development efforts across India and helped extend the firm’s footprint into the United Kingdom, reinforcing its position as a cross-market consulting partner.
“Rhys has been the backbone of our growth story for 16 years. He built our digital services practice from scratch, assembled a brilliant team, and won the trust of clients in India and the UK. His calm temperament, his deep commitment to quality, and his ability to forge lasting partnerships make him the ideal person to lead Celsius100 into its next chapter. I could not be more confident in this transition,” said Celsius100 Consulting Private Limited founder and managing director S Ghosh.
Rufus struck a reflective note on taking charge. “Celsius100 has been home for the better part of my professional life and I am deeply honoured to take on this responsibility. We have built something unique together over almost two decades, and I look forward to working with our talented team and valued clients to take the company to new heights. Our focus will remain on delivering work that truly transforms our partners’ businesses,” said Rufus.
Colleagues describe Rufus as a steady hand under pressure and a leader who prioritises long-term relationships. His elevation signals a clear bet on continuity, with the company choosing to promote from within rather than look outside for leadership.
As Celsius100 enters its next chapter, the transition reflects both stability and ambition, with a familiar face now steering the firm towards fresh opportunities.
Brands
HGS names Hemlata Sharma EVP, chief business officer for digital media division
Veteran executive to lead satellite, cable and broadband push across India
MUMBAI: Hinduja Global Solutions is doubling down on distribution and has tapped a seasoned hand to lead the charge.
Hemlata Sharma has been appointed executive vice-president and chief business officer at the digital media division of Hinduja Global Solutions, taking charge of its satellite, cable and retail broadband businesses as competition intensifies across India’s connectivity market.
Sharma will steer growth, distribution strategy and retail partnerships for the NXTDIGITAL DTV platform and the ONE Broadband brand, with full profit-and-loss responsibility. The mandate is clear: expand reach, sharpen execution and deepen the company’s hold across India’s evolving DTH, IPTV, OTT and broadband ecosystem.
With more than 25 years across media, broadcasting and telecoms, Sharma arrives with deep operating experience. She was previously at Zee Media Corporation Ltd., where she served as head of distribution, research and CRM, managing nationwide distribution and consumer insights for a large portfolio of news channels. Her earlier roles include senior positions at Ten Sports Network and Bharti Airtel, spanning marketing and operations across key regional markets.
Vynsley Fernandes said, “Hemlata brings a proven track record in leading large-scale businesses across B2B and B2C markets. She joins us at a time when we are strengthening national and regional teams across retail product development, sales, and customer experience. We are confident that her leadership skills, business acumen, and operational discipline will help us accelerate growth in key areas.”
Sharma said, “HGS and NXTDIGITAL are respected brands in India’s media ecosystem and have always been ahead of the curve in innovation. I believe that my extensive experience across broadcast distribution, telecom operations, and digital media strategy can help strengthen the growth roadmap, as the media group continues to scale digital entertainment services and broadband connectivity nationwide through initiatives such as the prestigious and recently initiated Project Ganga.”
The timing is deliberate. As screens multiply and pipes become the real battleground, NXTDIGITAL is tightening its grip on both content delivery and connectivity. The next phase will be less about presence and more about dominance.
