MAM
Havas CX launches in Singapore, expands reach in Southeast Asia
Mumbai: Havas CX, the global customer experience network of Havas, has expanded its operations into Singapore as of 13 November 2024, bolstering its presence in Southeast Asia. This move enhances Havas CX’s regional footprint, integrating its established UI/UX and experience design expertise from Think Design with the technical strengths of Ekino, which has operated in Singapore since 2017.
Havas India, Southeast and North Asia (Japan & South Korea), group CEO, Rana Barua emphasised the strategic nature of this expansion: “Expanding our CX capabilities in Southeast Asia, with Singapore serving as the strategic hub, is a key part of our broader Converged growth strategy in the region. While we establish a robust UI/UX design capability through Think Design, in the coming months, we’ll be introducing more of Havas CX Network’s services into Southeast Asia—reinforcing our commitment to delivering transformative customer experiences in one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies.”
Havas CX Network global CEO, David Shulman noted the growing importance of integrated brand experiences: “As brands seek to create deeper, more meaningful connections with their audiences, the need for seamless, integrated experiences has never been greater. By expanding our CX capabilities in Southeast Asia, starting with Singapore, we are reinforcing our dedication to customer-centric innovation throughout the region, providing solutions that resonate with audiences at every step of their digital journey.”
To deliver cohesive brand experiences combining creativity, design, and technology, Think Design will collaborate closely with BLKJ Havas, supported by Ekino’s extensive technological capabilities. This integrated approach will be led by Think Design CEO, Deepali Saini and BLKJ Havas, CEO, Rowena Bhagchandani of both reporting to Barua.
Sharing their enthusiasm, Saini and Bhagchandani stated, “We are excited to integrate our CX capabilities into the region, positioning Singapore as a leading hub for digital innovation to drive significant growth across the region.”
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
