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GroupM Nexus India appoints Saif Shaikh as head of Non-Biddable
Mumbai: GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, today announced the appointment of Saif Shaikh as the head of non-biddable at GroupM Nexus India. He takes over from Sidhartha Patnaik, who has assumed a regional remit as head of non-biddable at GroupM Nexus APAC.
Saif Shaikh brings a wealth of experience in the media and advertising industry, spanning over two decades. Saif’s expertise lies in campaign implementation, media planning tools and software deployment, data management, and media activation solutions. He has been pivotal in launching numerous brands across different sectors, including FMCG, Finance, Insurance, and Media & Entertainment.
In his new role at GroupM Nexus, Saif will focus on the long-term prioritisation of campaign implementation, leveraging cutting-edge tools and software for media planning and data management, and providing media activation solutions to clients. His extensive knowledge and strategic insights will contribute significantly to the growth and success of GroupM Nexus in India.
GroupM Nexus India president Priti Murthy said, “Saif’s extensive experience in deployment of tools and software for media strategising, planning and data management along with driving implementation will further strengthen the way we do media planning at GroupM Nexus India. I look forward to his contribution in elevating our non-biddable craft and embedding additional capabilities across GroupM agencies’ client activations”.
GroupM Nexus India head of non-biddable Saif Shaikh, said, “I am thrilled and honoured to take on this new role. India’s diverse and rapidly evolving market presents immense opportunities, and I am eager to leverage my experience and expertise to drive growth and innovation for GroupM Nexus. It’s an enormous privilege to be part of the world’s largest performance organisation and I look forward to
delivering incremental growth for our agencies and clients. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to collaborating with our talented team and valued partners.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
