Brands
betterU ropes in Chris Gayle as brand ambassador
MUMBAI: betterU, India’s largest online marketplace for education, has announced that Chris Gayle, cricketer from the Indian Premier League (IPL), has joined betterU’s Brand Ambassador programme in the company’s effort to continue to grow awareness and draw attention to the importance and personal value of skills development through betterU’s global education marketplace.
betterU’s vision is to provide all individuals across the country with the opportunities to learn and grow. This bold initiative is in line with prime minister Modi’s mandate to skill up 500 million people by 2022. To achieve such levels of mass education, betterU understands that there is a need for a collective collaboration between global educators, industry leaders, and government as well as influential individuals such as Chris Gayle. This also aligns with the recent addition of Satnam Singh, the first NBA player to ever get drafted from India, who joined betterU back in late 2016. Part of betterU’s ongoing strategy is to continue to create awareness to the value of life-time learning and the ongoing need for personal advancement of one’s skills.
Gayle and the CEO of betterU both came from backgrounds in which they struggled with access to quality education. Yet even through these limiting moments, their dedication, persistence and a passion to become more, resulted in both growing to become leaders in their respective fields. “When Chris and I met in Bangalore many months back, I realized the value he could bring to betterU because of his appreciation and understanding towards the value of education along with his love of India, made us immediate partners. Everyone has the right to education, but the realities are that not everyone has access to it, whether that be due to their physical location, affordability, connection to technology, or fear of the unknown. I am excited to welcome Chris to the betterU family, and for helping support betterU and India! I am also looking forward to building a life-time friendship” said Brad Loiselle, President and CEO, betterU Education Corp.
betterU and Gayle will be working on collaborative opportunities to promote the company’s content partners’ through betterU’s overall vision to support India. “I am excited to be working with Brad and betterU in the supporting of this great initiative. I have so many fans across the country that have supported me for so many years and I feel passionate about continuing to support them outside of Cricket. I love India, I love the people and I want to be part of making a global difference through opening education to all!” said Gayle.
Brands
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
