Brands
Damac launches new India hubs to fuel global growth
MUMBAI: Real estate just got a fresh new address as Damac Group set its sights on India, proving that when it comes to global ambition, the Group is ready to build bigger and better. The UAE headquartered conglomerate has opened its new shared services arm, Damac Shared Services India, marking a major step in strengthening its worldwide operational muscle.
The new capability centres in Noida and Pune will anchor key functions such as finance, sales, operations, marketing, human resources, digital and more. Designed as innovation hubs, the offices aim to drive efficiency, speed up digital adoption and deepen customer focus across Damac’s international footprint.
Noida is expected to host around 250 employees while Pune will add more than 100 roles by 2026, forming part of a multi-phased hiring plan that taps into India’s talent depth. India is already home to more than 1,700 global capability centres, a number projected to cross 2,400 by 2030 as companies worldwide continue to leverage the country’s technology and services expertise.
Damac Group founder Hussain Sajwani, said the move reflects confidence in India’s growing strength as a global tech and talent hub. He noted that DSSI will help shape the next chapter of Damac’s global journey by building high performing teams that support the Group’s expansion.
India’s accelerating AI and digital services ecosystem further strengthens this strategic shift. A Deloitte Nasscom report estimates that the country’s AI talent base will more than double to over 1.25 million by 2027, while the AI services market is also set for rapid growth.
Damac chief human capital officer M P John, said the new hubs will help reimagine how the Group collaborates across regions and will foster a culture of innovation and empowerment within its India teams.
Built on the pillars of talent, opportunity and collaboration, Damac Shared Services India aims to seamlessly integrate India with the UAE and the company’s global network. By leveraging India’s deep expertise, DSSI is positioned to fuel the Group’s next phase of growth.
Damac Group, founded in 1982, has grown from catering and logistics into a diversified global enterprise with interests spanning real estate development, data centres, retail and fashion, hospitality, capital markets and logistics. Its presence today extends across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
Brands
PRCI appoints Baldev Raj as Delhi chapter chairman
Six-month leap signals push for bold, AI-led shift in communications strategy
NEW DELHI: Public Relations Council of India has appointed Baldev Raj as chairman of its Delhi chapter, marking a swift elevation just six months after he took on the role of vice chairman.
The move comes amid growing churn in the communications industry, with trust deficits and misinformation reshaping how brands engage with audiences. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, public trust in institutions continues to decline, while concerns around misinformation remain high.
Industry insiders say Raj’s rapid rise reflects the momentum he has built at Prius Communications, which has picked up five major industry awards in the past four months. His appointment signals PRCI’s intent to bring sharper, more future-facing leadership to the fore.
Under his leadership, the Delhi chapter is set to roll out a series of initiatives aimed at repositioning public relations as a strategic business function. These include an AI ethics and integration framework, a C-suite advisory council, and a revamped young communicators programme focused on mentorship and leadership development.
Commenting on the appointment, Public Relations Council of India chairman emeritus and chief mentor M. B. Jayaram said, “This wasn’t a question of succession; it was a question of strategic necessity. Baldev’s track record of innovation made it clear that we needed his vision and velocity at the helm now.”
For his part, Baldev Raj framed the role as a turning point for the profession. “Our profession stands at a crossroads. We can either be consumed by the tidal wave of AI-generated noise, or become the strategists who restore trust and clarity,” he said. He added that the focus will be on a ‘human plus machine’ approach, blending artificial intelligence with human insight.
Raj, founder of Prius Communications, operates across reputation management and strategic advisory, with specialised verticals in healthcare and brand consulting.
With this leadership shift, PRCI appears to be betting on speed, strategy and a stronger voice for communicators at the decision-making table.
