MAM
Vikram Sakhuja to take up executive director position at Madison Media based in New Delhi
MUMBAI: With Ajit Varghese heading back to Madison Media, this time as partner and group CEO of Madison Media & OOH, questions were being asked about the role of long-serving group CEO Vikram Sakhuja. The suspense was laid to rest a short while ago when Madison promoter Sam Balsara confirmed that Sakhuja will continue as executive director, focusing on building organisational capability from New Delhi.
Meanwhile Balsara is quite confident about Varghese’s appointment as the agency’s leader. “Ajit has all the credentials to steer an agency like Madison into the future,” he said, citing Varghese’s stints at Madison, GroupM, a digital publisher, and most recently JioStar. Like Sakhuja, Varghese will hold a stake in the business.
Calling it a “homecoming”, Varghese said he was returning with a renewed mission. “The world of media is transforming at lightning speed, and Madison is uniquely poised to lead with its client-first thinking, independent spirit, and deep talent,” he said.
Madison Media, India’s largest homegrown communications agency, is ranked the world’s fourth-largest independent media agency by Recma. It manages media planning and buying for marquee clients including Marico, Asian Paints, Titan, TVS, Godrej Properties, Pidilite, Ceat, and the BJP. Through its 11 units, Madison World served some 500 advertisers last year.
Brands
KPMG names Gary Wingrove as global chairman and CEO from October
Record Gmada bids signal rising demand as Rs 1,000 crore bet reshapes Tricity skyline
MUMBAI: KPMG has chosen continuity with a forward tilt. The firm has announced that Gary Wingrove will take over as global chairman and CEO of KPMG International, beginning a four year term from 1 October 2026. Currently serving as global chief operating officer, Wingrove steps into the top role after being nominated by the global board and elected by the global council.
A KPMG veteran with over 25 years at the firm, Wingrove has been closely involved in shaping its recent trajectory. As global COO, he has helped drive the firm’s Collective Strategy, focusing on operational integration, global investments and the steady expansion of the KPMG Delivery Network. He has also been at the forefront of KPMG’s digital push, including the rollout of AI enabled solutions across its global operations.
Before his global role, Wingrove served as CEO of KPMG Australia for nearly a decade, where he led a period of strong growth, almost doubling revenue, profitability and headcount while steering a cultural reset.
He succeeds Bill Thomas, who has led KPMG since 2017 and will work alongside Wingrove over the next six months to ensure a smooth transition.
Thomas leaves behind a firm that looks markedly different from when he took charge. Under his leadership, KPMG’s global revenues have risen by 55 per cent, and its workforce has expanded to more than 276,000 people. He also unified the network of member firms under the Collective Strategy, aligning priorities and strengthening governance.
His tenure saw heavy investment in technology and partnerships, with alliances spanning Microsoft, Google Cloud, SAP, Oracle and ServiceNow. These collaborations, along with platforms like KPMG Clara, have helped the firm scale its AI-led offerings and sharpen its competitive edge.
Beyond growth, Thomas also pushed improvements in audit quality and sustainability. Initiatives such as a multiyear global sustainability strategy and the Our Impact Plan have aimed to embed long term thinking into the firm’s operations and client services.
For Wingrove, the brief is clear but evolving. He has signalled a focus on agility, deep expertise and technology driven solutions as clients navigate an increasingly complex business landscape. He also emphasised KPMG’s identity as a people first organisation, supported by technology and unified through its global network.
The timing of the leadership change comes as KPMG continues to grow, reporting a 5.1 per cent rise in global revenue in FY25, with gains across tax and legal, audit and advisory services. Growth was recorded across all regions, despite a challenging macro environment.
As Wingrove prepares to take charge, the firm appears set on a familiar path with a sharper digital edge. Same playbook, perhaps, but with a renewed focus on speed, scale and smarter solutions.
