MAM
Bhavin Mukund Mehta takes charge as vice-chairman of Pharmexcil
MUMBAI: The Indian pharmaceutical industry just got a major upgrade! The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) has named Bhavin Mukund Mehta, Kilitch Drugs (India) Limited wholetime director, as its new vice-chairman. With over 25 years of industry experience, Mehta’s leadership is set to supercharge India’s global pharmaceutical exports.
A deal-making, strategy-shaping, market-expanding powerhouse, Mehta has not only catapulted Kilitch Drugs onto the global stage but also reinforced its domestic stronghold. Now, at Pharmexcil, he’s gearing up to break new ground, fuel innovation, and champion MSMEs—because, let’s face it, even the biggest industry players were once small businesses with big dreams.
Mehta’s association with Pharmexcil isn’t new—he’s practically been its MVP for years. Back in 2012, he was appointed as the chairman of the Exhibition Committee by the Ministry of Commerce, where he didn’t just organise trade events—he launched IPHEX, India’s largest pharmaceutical export exhibition, proving that India’s pharma game isn’t just strong, it’s global.
From negotiating high-stakes trade deals to ensuring Indian pharma gets its well-deserved global spotlight, Mehta has been the industry’s go-to expert. His latest appointment as vice-chairman of Pharmexcil? Just the logical next step in his mission to put Indian pharma on every international shelf possible.
Expressing his gratitude, Mehta said, “I am truly honoured to be appointed as vice-chairman at Pharmexcil. While promoting the growth of pharmaceutical exports, I am also committed to promoting the growth of MSMEs within India’s pharmaceutical sector, which plays a vital role in enhancing global health. Together, we will work to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and strengthen India’s position as a leader in pharmaceutical exports worldwide.”
Mehta isn’t just about business—he’s got the credentials to back it up. He holds a post graduate diploma in management from S.P. Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai, and a bachelor of pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Mumbai. His unique blend of technical knowledge and business acumen has been instrumental in navigating regulatory landscapes, executing expansion strategies, and driving pharmaceutical innovations.
With his appointment, Pharmexcil is set for a dynamic shift, championing not just large-scale pharma players but also boosting MSMEs that form the backbone of India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
