Brands
ABD Maestro elevates Bikram Basu to vice chairman
Basu takes on the new role after leading the spirits firm as managing director
MUMBAI: ABD Maestro is raising a glass to a new leadership chapter. ABD Maestro has elevated Bikram Basu to vice chairman, adding another layer to the senior executive’s long career in the spirits industry.
Basu has been serving as managing director of ABD Maestro since April 2025. In his new role, he will bring more than three decades of experience spanning business strategy, marketing, sales, brand building and operations.
Before taking charge as managing director, Basu was chief operating officer at Allied Blenders and Distillers, the parent company of ABD Maestro, for nearly five years. He had earlier served as COO of the company from 2015 to 2020, overseeing business strategy and marketing.
During his tenure, Basu worked with the company’s portfolio, which includes Officer’s Choice, one of India’s prominent spirits brands.
Basu’s career also includes a long stint at Pernod Ricard, where he spent nearly 14 years before leaving in 2014. He served as vice president, marketing for India and the SAARC region from 2007 to 2014.
At Pernod Ricard, he was responsible for brand strategy, marketing, consumer insights, new product development, innovation and CSR. He oversaw a wide portfolio that included Blenders Pride, Royal Stag, Imperial Blue, Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Ballantine’s, Jameson, Jacob’s Creek and 100 Pipers.
Earlier in his career, Basu spent six years with United Spirits, moving through sales and marketing roles. He joined as a management trainee in 1994 and went on to become area sales manager, product manager, group product manager and regional sales manager.
His career began with sales roles at Otis Elevator and HCL Computers before he moved into the consumer and spirits sector.
Basu holds an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur and has undertaken leadership, strategy, luxury and creativity programmes at institutions including INSEAD, IIM Ahmedabad and XLRI. He has also worked on projects with consulting firms including BCG Asia and McKinsey.
The elevation comes as ABD Maestro continues to build its presence in the premium spirits space. With Basu moving into the vice chairman role, the company is drawing on his broad experience across brand building, commercial strategy and the evolving Indian spirits market.
