MAM
Havas India elevates Jaibeer Ahmad as chief transformation & growth officer
Mumbai: Havas India, part of Paris-headquartered advertising network Havas, has elevated Jaibeer Ahmad, formerly managing partner – North at Havas Worldwide India to the role of chief transformation & growth officer. In this newly created role in India, Jaibeer will set transformative strategies, driving business growth through integration and collaboration across all 18 Havas India agencies.
Based in Gurgaon, Jaibeer brings a wealth of experience and an impeccable track record, and will report to Havas India, Group CEO, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea) Rana Barua.
Havas’ unique village model and unmatched integration offerings has been an industry differentiator around the globe and has seen sweeping success in markets including Paris, London, North America, Spain, Portugal, and the UAE. The network is deeply invested in building the same expertise in India which will be led by Jaibeer.
Jaibeer, a well-respected and seasoned industry professional, joined Havas Worldwide India in December 2022, leaving an indelible mark as Managing Partner – North. Under his leadership, the agency secured key accounts and welcomed renowned clients, reinforcing Havas India’s position in the market. Known for his business growth acumen, Jaibeer has been a driving force behind Havas Worldwide India’s new business growth in the North India market. He managed some of the biggest accounts of the agency including Reckitt, Suzuki 2 Wheelers, Dabur and IFB, and won some marquee clients including Mamaearth, IFB, Badshah, Blinkit, IQOO, amongst others, contributing significantly to brand strategy, creative development, and overall revenue expansion.
Havas India, Group CEO, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea) Rana Barua said, “The last 5 years have been a period of exponential growth for Havas India, having grown steadily from 3 to 18 agencies, both organically and inorganically delivering nine differentiated services to our clients. While this momentum will continue, and we will be adding a few more expertise, it is now critical that we consolidate and leverage the strength of our offering to enlarge the services and accelerate business growth. Jaibeer has the nuanced understanding of the One Havas ethos, the strategic knowhow to turn opportunities into tangible outcomes, and strong, people-focused leadership, and I am confident that he will make Havas India one of the top growth markets within the Havas ecosystem through integration.”
Commenting on his elevation, Jaibeer Ahmad said, “At Havas India, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate across an array of functions, including, Media, CX, Experiential, PR, UI/UX, E-commerce, Programmatic, Brand Design, Health, and many more. The beauty and the strength of this model is that all these expertise are under one roof. This experience crystallized the vital need for an integrated ecosystem like our Havas Village, navigating today’s complex marketing landscape. In this new role, my mission is clear: foster convergence and collaboration among our 18 agencies and the growing ecosystem, and craft customised, integrated solutions for our clients.”
With over 23 years of experience in advertising and marketing brand-building, Jaibeer has held leadership positions for the past 12 years, during which time, he has significantly contributed to brand strategy, creative development, new business acquisition, overall revenue growth, and team mentoring. Jaibeer has extensive experience spearheading integrated marketing campaigns for prominent international, start-up, and domestic brands. His primary strength lies in driving business growth which also reflected in the growth of Havas Worldwide India in the north market.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
