MAM
Aston Villa secures record sponsorship deal with Macron
MUMBAI: Premier League club Aston Villa has inked a record new sponsorship deal with Macron, Italy‘s premier technical sportswear label and official kit manufacturer for the start of the 2012-13 season.
Although the financial details of the deal, which will see Aston Villa become Macron‘s flagship club in the Premier League, were not revealed, the partnership is expected to be in the region of ?20 million.
In addition to Macron supplying the club with official match kit and training apparel for players and management staff to May 2016, Macron will offer a full range of fashion wear – featuring over 100 product lines – including home and away replica kits (also providing a choice of two goalkeeper kits), training and travel apparel, accessories and extensive labels for females, children and infants.
The new home kit will be launched in mid-June at Villa Park and will go on sale immediately. A full range of apparel and accessories will be available from early July, distribution of which will be managed by the Club‘s merchandising department. The away kit will also be available in July.
Villa CEO Paul Faulkner, in announcing the new partnership, said: “Commercially, this is the best deal the club has ever secured with an official kit partner. Macron has established its credibility in the development of high-quality performance football apparel and the sales and distribution of licensed products and this new partnership will significantly benefit Aston Villa in the years ahead.”
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.








