MAM
Ipsos India appoints Unni Hariharan, executive director of tech & e-commerce
Mumbai: Keeping in view the transforming market dynamics and tech focus and digital becoming an essential ingredient for business, eCommerce and engagement, and with many new entrants in this space, Ipsos India has pulled in Unni Hariharan to lead tech and e-commerce, with immediate effect.
Hariharan is the designated executive director, and his remit is to identify and enhance opportunities with leading players in the tech and e-commerce sector and will work with clients pan India. He reports to Shalini Sinha, country service line leader, brand health tracking (BHT) and creative excellence (CRE).
Elaborating more on the development, Shalini Sinha, country service line leader, BHT and CRE said, “It is our constant endeavour to hire sectoral experts as they are best placed in providing a strong and strategic counsel to clients for market leading business decisions. Hariharan has domain expertise and has worked extensively with clients in technology, e-commerce and D2C space and we foresee him growing our presence with the roster of clients in these areas and leveraging opportunities.”
Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar said, “Covid19, hastened adoption of technology with lockdowns and access to brick and motor stores almost unavailable for many months and then the fear of going to public places occupying the mindset of consumers, there was a boom in e-commerce, D2C players and digital adoption for almost bingeing on everything – from shopping to social media browsing and surge in OTT subscriptions etc. Ipsos India views this as a great opportunity area, bringing in Hariharan will help us enhance our quality of work and our client delivery mechanism.”
Hariharan moved from Nielsen and has about two decades of work experience across leading market research agencies. He is an alumnus of Goa Institute of Management.
MAM
PwC India announces leadership change in Deals practice
Shashank Jain steps down as co-leader after nearly three decades with the firm.
MUMBAI: When one dealmaker steps off the pitch, another is ready to take the baton because in the fast-moving world of transactions, the game never really stops. PwC India has announced a leadership transition in its Deals practice, with Shashank Jain stepping down from his role as co-leader to pursue an opportunity in the industry. The practice will continue to be led by Mohit Chopra, ensuring continuity and sustained growth momentum.
PwC India partner and leader for advisory dinesh Arora paid tribute to Jain’s contributions. “We deeply appreciate the significant contributions made by Shashank over close to three decades he has spent with PwC, particularly his defining role in shaping and strengthening our Transaction Services practice in India,” he said. Arora highlighted Jain’s support for clients through some of the most complex and significant transactions in the Indian market, noting his deep technical expertise, sound judgment and nuanced understanding of the evolving M&A landscape.
The Deals practice remains a key growth driver for PwC India, and the firm expects continued expansion under Mohit Chopra’s leadership. He will continue to guide clients through complex transactions and transformational business moments, building on the strong foundation established over the years.
Reflecting on his journey, Shashank Jain said, “I have had an exceptional journey at PwC. I owe my growth and learning to the nurturing environment and leadership development that PwC provided.” He added that he had been working closely with Mohit and the larger team to ensure a smooth transition and expressed confidence that Chopra would take the Deals practice to newer heights.
From intern to respected deals leader, Shashank Jain has clearly closed many successful transactions and now, it seems, he’s ready to strike a new deal of his own.
