MAM
WPP appoints Simon Dingemans to the board
Mumbai: WPP on Monday announced the appointment of Simon Dingemans to its board as a non-executive director, with immediate effect.
He is associated with the global investment firm The Carlyle Group as senior advisor in the UK. “Dingemans will serve as a member of the audit committee upon joining the board,” said the statement.
Commenting on the appointment, WPP chairman Roberto Quarta said, “We are delighted to welcome Simon to WPP. His insight from a varied and distinguished career, combining both operational and financial experience, will be invaluable to the Board as WPP continues its transformation and strategic progress.”
Prior to joining Carlyle, Dingemans was associated with GlaxoSmithKline as CFO and a member of the mainboard from 2011 to 2019, where he drove extensive restructuring and change programmes that delivered significant financial and operational efficiencies. He also led a number of significant strategic transactions. As CFO, he was responsible for leading finance and a variety of other functions including procurement, real estate and technology, including cyber security.
Prior to GSK, Dingemans worked in investment banking for 25 years at SG Warburg and then at Goldman Sachs, where he was managing director and partner for 10 years as a leader of their European M&A business and head of UK investment banking. Dingemans served as non-executive chair of the Financial Reporting Council in 2019/20. He was also the chairman of the 100 Group which represents the views of finance directors in the FTSE 100 and a number of large UK private companies.
“WPP is the global leader in its sector with a clear strategy for continued success and value-creation. I am very much looking forward to being part of the transformation journey and supporting the future growth of the company,” said Dingemans.
Brands
Funskool India crosses US$40 million turnover in FY 2025-26
Toy manufacturer posts steady growth despite global headwinds.
MUMBAI: Funskool India has played its cards well turning challenges into steady growth while keeping the fun alive in the toy business. The country’s leading toy manufacturer has reported a turnover of $40 million in FY 2025-26, demonstrating resilience in a difficult global environment. The company recorded an average growth of 14 per cent over the past two years, with exports growing at a healthy 19% year-on-year.
While domestic business grew at a modest single-digit pace, Funskool saw encouraging traction in key categories such as Fundough (dough) and Handycrafts (arts & crafts).
Funskool India Ltd. CEO K.A. Shabir said, “We successfully navigated the challenges posed by US tariffs last year and continued to grow both our export and domestic businesses. Given the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia, we are currently working with a moderate growth outlook of 12–15 per cent, with plans to revisit our targets after Q1 once the situation stabilises.”
He highlighted strengthened partnerships with global companies including Spin Master (Canada), Moose Toys (Australia), Melissa & Doug (USA), Asmodee (France), Learning Resources (USA), and Buffalo Games (USA). The expansion of the company’s Goa plant is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Funskool expects a significant shift in domestic growth momentum for FY 2026-27, driven by new categories such as friction vehicles under the brand “BlazeTrix”, remote-control cars under “VoltRush”, and the addition of popular licences like Paw Patrol.
In an industry where playtime never stops, Funskool has shown that even in turbulent times, a smart strategy and strong partnerships can keep the business ticking along nicely. As it gears up for the next financial year, the company appears well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and bring even more joy to children worldwide.
