Brands
Devi Shankar bids farewell to Anarock after building India’s data-centre juggernaut
MUMBAI: Five years, $2.7bn in closed deals, and two of India’s largest data-centre platforms later, Devi Shankar is leaving Anarock.
The managing director of investment banking built the firm’s data-centre business from nothing into a powerhouse. Her crowning achievements: EverYondr ($1 bIllion) and Colt-RMZ ($1.7 billion), two landmark transactions that helped establish India as a serious player in digital infrastructure. Advising global investors and private-equity funds on market entry became her signature move.
“This wasn’t just a job; it was home,” Shankar wrote in her farewell message, referencing her early-morning arrivals and her notorious “Devi Standard Time” departures to beat Mumbai’s traffic. She gave special thanks to Ankita Sahu, whom she described as her “backbone for the last five years”.
The move caps a 20-year career spanning KPMG, Deloitte, Jones Lang LaSalle and Ask Property Fund. Shankar’s expertise in structuring complex transactions—from introductions through to commercial negotiations, term sheets and due diligence—has made her one of India’s most respected dealmakers in alternative real estate.
Alongside her corporate work, Shankar has been pursuing a parallel venture since January 2023: Irea Life, a private fashion label where she serves as creative lead and business adviser. The brand focuses on AI-driven solutions for customer experience and marketing automation.
Shankar hinted that an announcement about her next move is imminent, though she declined to share details. Industry watchers will be watching closely to see where one of India’s leading investment bankers lands next.
Brands
Radico Khaitan appoints Kunal Madan as chief marketing officer
Promotions signal focus on premium spirits, global expansion and homegrown leadership
UTTAR PRADESH: Radico Khaitan has elevated two long-serving insiders to its top leadership team, signalling a bold push into premium spirits and global markets. Kunal Madan steps in as chief marketing officer, while Sudhir Upadhyay takes charge as chief sales officer, both part of what managing director Abhishek Khaitan calls a consciously built next-generation leadership bench.
“At Radico Khaitan, our growth has always been powered by people,” Khaitan said. “True leadership is not imported, it is cultivated.” He added that empowering internal talent ensures continuity while keeping the company globally competitive and future-ready.
Madan, with over 20 years of experience across global sales and marketing, will drive brand architecture, marketing strategy, and the premiumisation agenda, including travel retail. Upadhyay, who has 25 years in the industry and was most recently national sales head, will oversee distribution expansion and execution across markets.
The leadership reshuffle comes amid Radico’s intensified focus on premium spirits, a segment driving higher margins and international growth. Last year, Ajay Kakkar was brought on to head the Premium On-Trade vertical, targeting modern and institutional channels to boost presence in high-growth segments.
Meanwhile, Amar Sinha stepped down as chief operating officer after contributing across multiple growth phases. Khaitan acknowledged Sinha’s role in supporting the company’s trajectory, while Sinha described his tenure as “an absolute privilege,” crediting Khaitan’s leadership for shaping the company’s strategic direction.
With a homegrown leadership bench and a clear premium agenda, Radico Khaitan is set to accelerate its global expansion while doubling down on brand elevation and market impact.
