Brands
Itel amongst Africa’s top 100 most admired brands
MUMBAI: In an announcement that emphasises the impact of the brand in the overseas market, itel, the hi-tech innovative brand for the masses, has been ranked 51stin the list of the ‘Most Admired Brands in Africa’ in 2015. The latest rankings by African Business, Africa’s biggest business magazine, saw itel move up 21 positions to be placed above other leading global brands such as Toshiba, Sharp, BlackBerry and Facebook.
Speaking on the announcement, Sudhir Kumar, CEO, itel Mobile India, said, “itel was established to make quality mobile connectivity solutions accessible to the aspiring consumer base across the world. Being named amongst the ‘Most Admired Brands in Africa’ highlights the difference we have made to the continent’s consumers by bridging the technological gap between the urban and rural geographies. We will be looking to build on that success and consolidate our presence in India by delivering best-in-class features at highly cost-effective prices. Our products have already received an impressive response from the country’s consumers, and we are confident that we will be able to drive the cause of Digital India through our state-of-the-art innovations and feature-driven products.”
The latest achievement underlines itel’s impact within the African region as an enabler that aims to empower every individual with value added and best-in-class mobility-based communication solutions. The brand, which has sold more than 70 million handsets worldwide since its inception, was previously ranked 72nd in the 2014 list of ‘Most Admired Brands in Africa’.
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
