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CEAT appoints Debashish Roy as chief digital transformation officer
MUMBAI: CEAT has announced the appointment of Debashish Roy as its chief digital transformation officer, effective 2 December 2024. This pivotal leadership move underscores CEAT’s commitment to accelerating its digital transformation and enhancing customer-centric technological initiatives.
Reporting to CEAT Specialty, chief executive, Amit Tolani, Debashish will lead the company’s digital innovation journey, focusing on advancing customer experiences and driving technological advancements. His expertise promises to shape CEAT’s transformation into a future-ready, digitally empowered organisation.
Debashish brings over 15 years of experience in driving innovation, digital disruption, and achieving customer-centric growth across various industries and geographies. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and a management degree in IT and Operations from IIM Mumbai, his qualifications are complemented by a track record of leading multi-cultural teams in delivering transformation programs for Fortune 500 companies.
Previously, he held key roles at industry giants such as Abbott India Ltd., PwC US Advisory, and Cognizant Business Consulting, where he focused on large-scale business transformations and sustainable revenue growth. Most recently, he served as Pfizer Ltd., director of digital transformation & customer experience, where he successfully established a strong digital foundation, driving the adoption of innovative technologies.
Roy has earned accolades for his contributions, including the CX Leader Award at the 11th Global Edition of the World CX Summit & Awards 2024, the Leading CIO of the Year Award at the CII CIO Excellence Awards 2023, and the Economic Times CX Inspiring Leaders Award 2023. He also received the Innovator’s Award at the BIG CIO Show and Awards 2022, supported by NITI Aayog.
Tolani expressed his excitement about Roy’s appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Debashish to the CEAT family. His extensive experience in digital transformation and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to enhance customer experiences by driving technological advancement. I am confident that his strategic vision and leadership will significantly contribute to CEAT’s growth and strengthen our market position in the industry.”
On his appointment, Roy said, “I am excited to join CEAT and embark on this new journey. My focus will be on innovating for a safer, better world by leveraging technology and empowering people. By connecting, collaborating, and delivering, I believe we can inspire and nurture the human spirit, building a strong foundation for sustainable growth and making CEAT a leader in digital innovation.”
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IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
