MAM
India 2030 Conclave 2026 honours 56 leaders across business, cinema
NexBrands event in Mumbai spotlights icons shaping India’s next decade
MUMBAI: The ninth edition of the India 2030 Leadership Conclave 2026 wrapped up in Mumbai, bringing together a cross-section of business leaders, entertainers and cultural voices, while recognising 56 standout achievers shaping India’s future.
Organised by NexBrands Inc, the conclave was held at ITC Maratha and focused on leadership, innovation and long-term impact as India looks ahead to the next decade.
Among the headline winners were Gaur Gopal Das, named transformational thought leader of the year, Radhika Madan as breakthrough performer, and Malaika Arora, recognised as a dynamic business and entertainment icon. Film veterans Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui were honoured for their cinematic excellence, while Shehnaaz Gill and Boman Irani were also among the prominent awardees.
From the corporate world, Ashishkumar Chauhan was recognised as the most powerful CEO in financial services, while healthcare and innovation leaders such as Mukesh Batra and Dr Murtaza Khorakiwala were also honoured.
The event was attended by chief guest Pratap Sarnaik, underlining its growing stature as a platform that bridges governance, business and culture.
A key highlight was a fireside chat featuring Mukesh Batra and Akshay Batra, who discussed how trust and legacy are becoming central to brand building in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Another moment that stood out came from Sonu Sood, who used the platform to announce his “Ab Rukna Nahi” initiative aimed at enabling free knee replacement surgeries, reinforcing the event’s blend of business dialogue and social impact.
“The India 2030 Leadership Conclave serves as a powerful platform that brings together visionary leaders and change-makers shaping the future of India,” said Kamdhenu Ltd whole time director Sunil Agarwal.
Echoing the sentiment, NexBrands Inc founder Chandrika Maheshwari said the conclave was designed to spotlight voices shaping industries and the nation’s future, while CEO Saurav Dasgupta added that conversations around trust and innovation are becoming increasingly relevant.
With participation from sectors ranging from entertainment and healthcare to manufacturing and digital innovation, the conclave also handed out a wide array of corporate honours to brands such as Tata CliQ Luxury, Reliance Retail and ICICI Prudential AMC.
Backed by partners including Kamdhenu Nxt and supported by media platforms like Times Now and IndiaTimes, the event saw strong amplification across broadcast and digital channels.
As the curtains fall on its ninth edition, the conclave continues to cement its place as a meeting ground for ideas, influence and ambition, capturing the pulse of a rapidly evolving India.
Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
