MAM
Aatanu Chakraborty to head Kettle Communications
NEW DELHI: Aatanu Chakraborty is to head the newly set up Kettle Communications, an integrated communication consultancy founded by a group of thinkers consisting of core team with the aim of ‘big agency, big brand exposure’.
Earlier, Chakraborty was the executive creative director with Hakuhodo Percept. His stint at Hakuhodo lasted for more than two years. Prior to this, his professional career spanning more than 20 years has been with agencies such as JWT, Mudra DDB, Contract, TBWA Anthem, and Triton.
Initially based in New Delhi, the company will establish offices pan-India in the near future. Kettle Communications will bring Integrated Communications approach to the Indian market. The services include Advertising, Branding & Packaging, Brand Building, Digital Communication, Retail Management, Events and Activation Management, Exposition Management and MICE.
“With an increase in global competition, technological advances, and more informed customers, it is imperative for businesses to make a powerful impact on target audiences and markets” adds Chakraborty.”
He added, “Kettle Communications’ strategic entry has been propelled by the need of developing marketing integration at different levels and degree of various functions.”
Kettle Communications (“Kettle – Boiling with Ideas”) believes the art of communication is to sport a lively, engaging idea that carries the power to evoke emotions. Obsessed with big sustainable real world ideas, its work is a reflection of consumer insights, research based strategies and local relevance. It consistently ensures that its unifying creative idea pushes the boundaries and provokes positive perceptions across every brand touch-point.
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.
