MAM
Joy n Crew strengthens leadership with former Cox & Kings executives
MUMBAI: As the world gets ready to rediscover the joy of exploration in 2025, Joy n Crew is gearing up to redefine premium travel experiences.
In a bold move set to steer the company toward new horizons, the luxury travel brand has onboarded two stalwarts from the legendary Cox & Kings, signalling its ambition to lead the pack in an increasingly competitive travel industry.
With a rich legacy of curating unforgettable journeys, Joy n Crew is now doubling down on innovation and customer delight. These strategic appointments not only fortify its leadership team but also pave the way for a transformative digital strategy aimed at enhancing its premium services.
With a thriving customer base of 12,000 travellers, the company is set to inspire even more wanderlust while maintaining its reputation for excellence.
This is more than just a leadership shuffle—it’s the beginning of a new chapter for Joy n Crew and its loyal explorers.
Are you ready to join the expedition?
Sangram Ghorpade, formerly senior vice president at Cox & Kings, assumes the role of CEO at Joy n Crew. With over two decades of experience, Sangram has a stellar track record, including spearheading Cox & Kings’ expansion into tier one and tier two cities. Under his guidance, the franchise network grew from zero to 170 outlets, driving 25 per cent year-on-year growth in sales and profits. Ghorpade’s leadership was pivotal in crafting innovative travel solutions and fostering long-lasting customer relationships.
Speaking on his appointment, Ghorpade shared, “My passion for travel stems from its ability to create lasting memories and build meaningful connections. At Joy n Crew, we aim to deliver experiences that are both extraordinary and accessible. My strategy will focus on blending innovation with personalised service to grow our reach while remaining true to the ethos of thoughtful travel.”
Abhinav Chandra, an accomplished service quality leader with 22 plus years of experience, will take on the role of chief service delivery officer in February 2025. During his tenure at Cox & Kings, Abhinav transformed service delivery by implementing six sigma methodologies and digital transformation strategies, earning accolades like the Pinnacle Star Award.
Excited about his new journey, Chandra stated, “Joy n Crew is poised to redefine how we experience travel. I look forward to driving service excellence, building trust, and fostering innovation that enhances customer satisfaction. Travel is about the details, and I’m excited to ensure every touchpoint reflects the care and quality our customers deserve.”
The appointments signal Joy n Crew’s commitment to redefining premium travel through innovation, strategic leadership, and customer-centric experiences.
Joy n Crew founder, Pragya Adiraj expressed her enthusiasm, “Bringing Sangram and Abhinav on board marks a significant milestone for Joy n Crew. Both are seasoned leaders with a proven track record of delivering impactful results, particularly during their time at Cox & Kings. Their expertise, strategic vision, and customer-first approach align perfectly with our mission to make travel extraordinary. We are confident they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Joy n Crew and delivering unparalleled experiences to our customers.”
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
