Brands
Angel One names Ambarish Kenghe as group CEO
MUMBAI: Known affectionately in fintech circles as AK-no, not the Indian cinema stalwarts Anil Kapoor or Anurag Kashyap-Ambarish Kenghe is poised to script his own blockbuster.
Angel One has unveiled its ace move, appointing Kenghe as group CEO effective March 2025, marking a bold step in its quest to revolutionise the fintech space. This leadership shake-up signals Angel One’s unyielding commitment to innovation, cementing its role as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving digital financial ecosystem.
Kenghe is a renowned technology and product leader with a distinguished career spanning fintech, e-commerce, and consumer electronics. Most recently, as Google Pay APAC vice president & general manager, he played a critical role in expanding Google Pay’s footprint and strengthening India’s UPI ecosystem. He also contributed significantly to the development of Chromecast and Google TV.
Before joining Google, AK served at Myntra as chief product officer, where he led AI/ML-driven innovations that transformed fashion e-commerce. Earlier in his career, he was a strategy consultant at Bain & Company in San Francisco and a high-speed switching engineer at Cisco Systems in San Jose. A prolific inventor with four patents, AK’s academic achievements include degrees from UC Berkeley, Purdue University, IIT Kanpur, and AMU.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Kenghe said, “I am truly honoured to be part of Angel One, a brand that has been at the forefront of transforming India’s fintech landscape. With its focus on innovation and customer-centricity, Angel One has built a strong foundation. I am eager to work with the talented team to drive the next phase of growth and empower users with advanced financial solutions.”
Angel One chairman & MD, Dinesh Thakkar welcomed Kenghe with optimism, stating, “Ambarish’s appointment as CEO marks an exciting new era for Angel One. With his proven track record of driving innovation and deep expertise in the industry, he is the visionary leader we need to propel us into our next chapter of growth. At Angel One, we believe strong leadership shapes the future of fintech. Ambarish’s guidance will position us not only to keep pace with the ever-changing financial landscape but also to lead the charge in transforming how financial services are delivered, empowering our customers with groundbreaking solutions and unparalleled value.”
Angel One continues to drive the fintech revolution, with this leadership appointment reflecting its commitment to providing groundbreaking, customer-centric financial solutions.
Brands
Kingfisher signs three-year IPL partnership
Packaged water brand signs on as ‘good times partner’ for 2026–28 cycle
MUMBAI: Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water is betting big on cricket’s biggest stage, sealing a three-year partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to sharpen fan engagement at the TATA Indian Premier League.
The brand, owned by United Breweries, will serve as the official “good times partner” for the men’s IPL from 2026 to 2028, extending a relationship that began with the Women’s Premier League. The move signals a broader push to embed itself deeper into live sport, with a focus on immersive, consumer-led experiences rather than conventional sponsorship visibility.
At the heart of the tie-up is a suite of fan-first activations spanning broadcast, stadiums and digital channels. These include the “Kingfisher Bird Cam”, offering a branded spider-cam perspective during live matches, and the “Good Times Zone”, an in-stadium entertainment hub during play-offs aimed at amplifying match-day buzz. The brand will also back IPL fan parks, elevate public screening experiences and run digital contests tied to key moments through the season.
Vikram Bahl, chief marketing officer, United Breweries, said cricket in India “is more than a sport, it is a shared cultural moment”, adding that the IPL brings that energy alive at scale. “For Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water, being present at the heart of these moments, in partnership with the BCCI, is a natural extension of what we stand for. Through this association, we aim to enrich how fans experience the game… making every match more immersive, social and memorable,” Bahl said.
Devajit Saikia, honorary secretary, BCCI, said the IPL “has always been at the forefront of redefining sports entertainment and fan engagement”. He added that the collaboration would fuse cricket fandom with “innovative fan experiences that extend beyond the stadium”, helping create memorable moments for audiences nationwide.
For United Breweries, part of the HEINEKEN group, the play is clear: move from passive branding to active participation in the fan journey—on screens, in stands and across social spaces. With millions tuning in and turning up each season, the IPL remains the country’s most potent marketing theatre. The question now is whether “good times” can translate into lasting brand recall in a market where visibility is easy, but engagement is hard-won.
