Brands
Accenture pledges $25 million for Covid relief in India
KERALA: Software giant Accenture has pledged $25 million (about Rs 185 crore) to support the Covid relief efforts in India. Additionally, the company will also give access to Covid vaccines for over two lakh eligible employees and their families in India.
“Safety and well-being of our people continue to be our top priority and we are providing care, support, and access to vaccines for our eligible people in India who are facing an unprecedented challenge,” Accenture said in a statement.
The Ireland-based MNC will also provide PPE kits to frontline workers, and food and home care kits to the poor people in the nation. The company is also working closely with the government to support vaccination camps and provide local language call-centre support.
Accenture India chairperson & senior managing director Rekha M Menon said that the company stands in solidarity with India.
“We have made a fresh pledge of $25 million for pandemic relief efforts in addition to the ongoing investments in our people and communities. The local and global efforts include providing ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and medical kits,” wrote Menon on her Linkedin page.
A few days ago, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India, had also announced Rs 20 crore relief package in the midst of the raging second wave of the pandemic in the country. After announcing the relief package, Hyundai Motor India said that the funds will be used to deploy resources to set up oxygen generating plants in hospitals, to aid critical patients, and help hospitals become self-sufficient in oxygen.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
