Brands
Insurance Brokers Association taps Pranav Kapadia as deputy secretary general
Seasoned insurance expert joins Ibai to boost broker advocacy and drive industry growth
MUMBAI: Insurance Brokers Association of India (Ibai) has appointed Pranav Kapadia as its deputy secretary general, effective 2 February 2026. The move comes as India’s insurance sector accelerates digital adoption and navigates evolving regulations.
In his new role, Kapadia will champion broker interests while promoting a transparent, efficient, and customer-friendly insurance ecosystem. He will also deepen engagement with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) and key industry stakeholders.
With over 17 years of experience across finance, compliance, and governance in the insurance sector, Kapadia brings a practical understanding of industry challenges. His hands-on expertise positions him to effectively represent brokers in policy discussions and advocacy efforts.
Ibai president Narendra Bharindwal said, “Pranav Kapadia’s appointment strengthens our commitment to empowering insurance brokers in India’s evolving financial landscape. His experience and insight will be invaluable in advancing our mission and raising the professional profile of brokers.”
Kapadia commented, “This is a pivotal time for the Indian insurance sector. I look forward to fostering industry collaboration, supporting forward-looking policies, and ensuring brokers continue to serve customers effectively.”
With his blend of operational know-how and regulatory insight, Kapadia is set to elevate the role of insurance brokers and reinforce their position as trusted advisors in India’s dynamic insurance market.
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
