MAM
Havas Worldwide names Jigisha Chawla as EVP for Gurgaon office
Mumbai: Havas Worldwide, the creative arm of Havas Group India has appointed Jigisha Chawla as executive vice president for its Gurgaon office. She will report to Havas Worldwide (Creative) managing director Manas Lahiri and will work across key clients of the office.
Havas Worldwide (Creative) Gurgaon is one of the biggest operations of the agency in India, with over 100 employees, according to the conglomerate. Apart from its biggest client Reckitt, the unit also manages some of India’s leading brands including Dabur, William Grant, Suzuki, Fortis Healthcare, and several others.
Over the last three years, the Gurgaon office has bagged several new clients including Stashfin, Renewbuy, Vivo, Jimmy’s Cocktails, Info Edge, and several others, said the statement.
“With the exponential growth of the Gurgaon unit, we are focussed on beefing up our senior leadership and our product,” Manas Lahiri said. “Jigisha will play a pivotal role in enhancing and strengthening our client relationships and widening our product portfolio.”
A seasoned advertising and communications professional with over 20 years of experience, Jigisha’s expertise is ingrained in traditional advertising with knowledge of its tenets in brand building with a good understanding of new-age media and the importance of technology to create brand stories.
“Over the last couple of years, Havas Group India and all its units have completely turned around and have built a new perception in India. The agency is going through fantastic momentum, and I am looking forward to making a meaningful impact in this growth story,” said Jigisha on her appointment.
Jigisha has spent a major part of her career with Ogilvy and has managed several marqueebrands and led key client businesses across diverse categories, including MNCs, Government, Non-profit organisations, and Healthcare businesses of Ogilvy Delhi. She has led many integrated teams and brings substantial global project management experience on board.
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.
