Brands
Himalaya Wellness names Abhishek Ashat marketing head for MENA, Russia
Senior marketer steps into global role after leading key India portfolios
DUBAI: Himalaya Wellness Company has appointed Abhishek Ashat as head of marketing for the Middle East, North Africa and Russia, marking a significant step up from his India-focused leadership roles.
Ashat, who has spent nearly two years with Himalaya, moves into a regional position based in Dubai, where he will lead brand and marketing strategy across high-growth international markets. His mandate includes overseeing key categories such as face care, personal care and baby products, while driving consumer engagement and business growth across diverse geographies.
The move signals Himalaya’s intent to strengthen its global footprint by tapping into seasoned in-house talent. Ashat previously served as general manager marketing for beauty and personal care, where he managed a Rs 1,300 crore segment and led product innovation, brand positioning and end-to-end operations.
Before rejoining Himalaya in a larger role, Ashat built a wide-ranging career across consumer brands. At The Good Glamm Group, he led brand marketing for The Moms Co, Sirona and BabyChakra, driving international expansion and launching new product lines. His earlier stints at Reckitt saw him revive legacy brands and deliver strong growth, while roles at Britannia Industries Limited and The Kraft Heinz Company helped shape his foundation in brand building and category leadership.
Sharing the update, Ashat said he is “excited to embark on a new chapter” and highlighted the opportunity to build on Himalaya’s long-standing consumer trust in these regions. He noted that the markets offer strong growth potential and a chance to take the brand into its next phase globally.
With this appointment, Himalaya appears to be doubling down on experienced leadership to navigate complex international markets, blending its legacy in herbal wellness with sharper, globally aligned marketing strategies.
Brands
Just Dial reports strong Q4 and FY26 results despite one-time hit
Search giant posts Rs 4,970 crore net profit for the year, driven by robust operating performance.
MUMBAI: Just Dial has delivered another solid set of numbers proving that even in a tough year, its core business continues to click. The company reported a net profit of Rs 1,000 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and Rs 4,970 crore for the full financial year. Revenue from operations (net of GST) stood at Rs 3,072 crore for the quarter and Rs 12,139 crore for the year, reflecting steady growth in its core search and related services business.
Total income for the quarter was Rs 3,559 crore, while full-year total income reached Rs 15,477 crore.
On the expense side, employee benefits remained the largest cost at Rs 1,840 crore for the quarter. The company also recorded a one-time exceptional impact of Rs 211 crore due to changes in labour codes affecting gratuity calculations.
Despite this, Just Dial maintained healthy profitability, with earnings per share (basic) at Rs 11.76 for the quarter and Rs 58.44 for the full year.
The results come on the back of consistent performance in its search and search-related services segment. The company continues to benefit from its strong position as India’s leading local search platform.
Just Dial also noted the resignation of its long-serving Chief Financial Officer, Abhishek Bansal, effective 15 April 2026, citing personal career considerations. Bansal had been with the company for over 12 years, including more than eight years as CFO.
In a statement, the company placed on record its appreciation for his contributions.
While the broader media and digital landscape faces headwinds, Just Dial continues to demonstrate resilience. Its focus on core strengths local search, content, and monetisation appears to be paying off, even as it navigates a dynamic environment.
With steady revenue growth and healthy bottom-line performance, Just Dial remains one of the more consistent players in India’s digital ecosystem. As it turns the page on its finance leadership, the company looks well-positioned to maintain its momentum in the year ahead.
