MAM
Havas Group India announces second edition of internship programme ‘Havas SPARK’
Mumbai: After successful completion of its maiden internship programme ‘Havas SPARK’ in 2021, Havas Group India has announced chapter two this year.
The Group had recruited 13 interns through its flagship programme last year and aims to scale it up further in the second edition. The intensive six-month internship programme led by Havas Group India leadership, and other industry experts trains young minds with practical skills and career development and advancement opportunities.
“Havas SPARK represents our ethos of playing a critical role not just in the industry but also within the community. Evaluating, inspiring, and ensuring that these young minds are armed with the best on-the-job skills gives us an immense sense of pride and purpose as a network,” the Group said in a statement.
The upcoming six-month programme will involve formal and on-the-job learning opportunities, working on challenging live projects, and a chance to gain full-time employment with Havas Group India, after completion of the programme. The candidates are shortlisted through a rigorous selection process, following which the shortlisted interns go through personal interviews for the final round. The network then trains these final candidates for six months. As part of their final evaluation, the interns prepare a whitepaper. After the successful completion of the programme, these interns are recruited by the 10 companies (under creative, media and healthcare) of the Havas Group India network, across various functions.
“What began as a means to introduce fresh talent in our industry has now become a programme that sets an example across the country on identifying, mentoring and nurturing talent,” said Havas Group India CEO Rana Barua. “An inherent part of our sustainable growth, Havas SPARK is an embodiment of our progressiveness and proactiveness. That we played our part in introducing these fresh, talented minds to our industry is something that all of us at Havas Group India will be proud of, forever.”
Havas Group India CHRO Vandana Tilwani said, “Armed with training through the Havas SPARK programme, these young millennials get the best exposure to the industry and become well-versed with its way of working. By the time they graduate, we already have a team ready to display their best skills. Our practical and structured approach ensures that the interns become much-sought-after in the industry once they successfully complete the programme. The interns of our first batch are now firmly entrenched in the Havas Group India family as management executives.”
Brands
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.
