MAM
Digitas India appoints Sonia Khurana as COO
MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe-owned digital agency, Digitas India has announced the appointment of Sonia Khurana as chief operating officer. She joins the agency from Ogilvy India where she was senior vice-president and head of customer engagement. She will report to Digitas India CEO Amaresh Godbole.
Commenting on her appointment, Godbole said, “Digitas India has been on the fast track for the last decade, and today we’re 450 plus experts partnering top-notch clients. To keep up with this growth trajectory, we need more leaders who are adept at solving business problems through modern marketing practices. Sonia is just that, a true T-shaped personality who has run digital businesses as well as capabilities. Further, she understands how to tackle the challenges of integration. It’s what we need to drive our next phase of growth as the premier connected marketing agency, and as a partner in Publicis Groupe’s Power of One Solutions."
A marketing old hand with experience of over two decades in key roles across prominent agencies in the advertising industry, Khurana has been instrumental in shaping up business and strategy for the agencies and has handled clients across retail, hospitality, telecom, technology, automotive, travel & tourism, and more. Some of the clients include Aditya Birla Group, Vodafone, IBM, BMW, Microsoft, Nokia, and Diageo.
Much of her professional life has been spent at Ogilvy India where she worked for almost a decade in its Bengaluru and Mumbai offices. While at Ogilvy, she was instrumental in setting up OgilvyOne (the digital unit of Ogilvy) in Bengaluru. She also conceptualised and created India's first retail social CRM program for Elle Fashionwear. Prior to Ogilvy, she was at Wunderman International as the India Lead for Nokia.
On her new role Khurana said, “I'm very excited to be part of a young, energetic team whose focus is at the nexus of creativity, data, technology and media. My goal is to partner with the team to chart the agency's next chapter and make it the agency of choice for clients looking to take a leap in their digital journey. On my first day at work, I saw the Publicis Groupe's Power of One strategy in action. It made me realize that I haven't just joined the agency brand but that I am part of the enriching Groupe ecosystem committed to delivering truly integrated, client-focused solutions. Three weeks in and I can already see what makes this place so special."
MAM
HDFC ERGO names Parthanil Ghosh as MD and CEO from April 16, 2026
Executive Director to succeed Anuj Tyagi; appointment awaits IRDAI approval.
MUMBAI: In insurance, planning for tomorrow is the business. At HDFC ERGO, that future now has a new name. The Board of HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company has approved the elevation of Parthanil Ghosh as managing director and chief executive officer, effective April 16, 2026, subject to regulatory clearance from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). He will succeed Anuj Tyagi in the role.
Ghosh brings more than three decades of experience across financial services and insurance, including over 16 years in the general insurance sector spanning underwriting, claims, reinsurance strategy, crop insurance and digital transformation. He joined HDFC ERGO in 2016 following the merger with L&T General Insurance and has served as Executive Director since May 1, 2025.
During his tenure, Ghosh has been closely involved in shaping the company’s expansion strategy, particularly strengthening its retail franchise while building capabilities across commercial lines and technology driven operations. His responsibilities have spanned areas such as claims management, underwriting strategy and digital innovation.
He also played a key role in two major integrations that reshaped the company’s structure: the consolidation of L&T General Insurance and the merger with Apollo Munich Health Insurance. These integrations helped build a unified operating platform for the insurer and expanded its presence across health and general insurance segments.
Over the years, Ghosh has led initiatives focused on improving customer trust and transparency in insurance, including efforts to simplify products, strengthen claims experience and integrate technology into customer facing processes.
HDFC ERGO chairman of the board Keki M Mistry said the leadership transition reflects the board’s confidence in Ghosh’s strategic and operational experience.
“Parthanil brings extensive industry knowledge, deep operational insight and strong strategic leadership to the role. He has been a key contributor to the company’s progress and success in recent years, helping strengthen its market position and build a culture centred on customer trust and technical excellence,” Mistry said, while also thanking Tyagi for his contributions and wishing him success in his future entrepreneurial pursuits.
ERGO International AG chairman of the board of management and chief operating officer of the international business Theo Kokkalas highlighted India’s importance in the group’s global strategy.
“India is a strategic growth market for us. I am convinced that under the leadership of Ghosh, the company will continue to build on its success through technical excellence, customer centricity and digital innovation,” he said.
Once regulatory approvals are secured, Ghosh will formally take over leadership of HDFC ERGO in April 2026, steering the insurer into its next phase of growth in India’s competitive general insurance market.
