Brands
Kedar Apte exits Mahindra as EV charging head
Senior vice-president steps down as EV infra push gathers pace
MUMBAI: Kedar Apte has stepped down from Mahindra Group, where he served as senior vice-president and head of EV charging infrastructure, marking another leadership shift as the company accelerates its electric mobility ambitions.
Apte’s departure brings to a close a two-year stint that saw him move across diverse parts of the business, from tractors to charging grids. He joined Mahindra in 2023 to oversee international operations for its farm equipment division, with full profit and loss responsibility.
A year later, he was handed the reins of the group’s EV charging infrastructure business, a role that sits at the heart of Mahindra’s plans to plug into India’s fast-growing electric vehicle ecosystem. His exit comes at a time when automakers are doubling down on charging networks, widely seen as a key hurdle in driving mass EV adoption.
Reflecting on his tenure, Apte said, “My last three years with Mahindra have been super busy and enriching. From managing farm international business to setting up EV charging, there has never been a dull day.
As I close this chapter of my career next week, I take back a lot of learnings, cherished friendships and tons of great memories.
Thanks to all the leaders for their guidance and support and to all my colleagues for making this stint worthwhile. I start an exciting chapter of my career next week and I can’t wait for the adventure to start.”
Before Mahindra, Apte was chief marketing officer at Jio-bp, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp, where he worked at the crossroads of traditional fuel retail and new-age mobility solutions.
Earlier, he spent nearly a decade at Castrol, holding senior roles across marketing and sales, including chief marketing officer for India and the subcontinent, and sales director for markets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan and Egypt.
He began his career at Hindustan Unilever, spending close to ten years rising through the sales ranks, eventually managing a regional business with revenues exceeding Rs 3,000 crore.
While Mahindra has not yet announced a successor, Apte’s exit comes at a pivotal moment, as the race to build reliable charging infrastructure gathers speed and competition in the EV lane intensifies.
Brands
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds to open 25 stores in Q1 FY26 expansion
Push into Tier 2 cities and metros to take total footprint past 85 stores
MUMBAI: Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds has kicked off the new financial year with an ambitious retail push, announcing plans to launch 25 new stores in the first quarter of FY26 across metros and high-growth Tier 2 markets.
With this expansion, the brand’s total retail footprint is set to cross 85 stores nationwide, reinforcing its early-mover advantage in India’s fast-growing lab grown diamond segment. The move reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences, where aspirational buying is increasingly aligned with sustainability and value.
The company said the expansion is aimed at deepening its presence beyond major cities and tapping into emerging demand centres, as lab grown diamonds gain wider acceptance among Indian consumers.
Commenting on the development, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds founder and managing director Pooja Madhavan said, “Launching 25 stores at the very start of the financial year is a strong signal of how the category is evolving. As pioneers, we are not just expanding retail, we are shaping consumer mindsets towards smarter, more sustainable luxury.” She added that the brand’s long-term goal is to scale to 200 stores while making the category accessible to modern Indian buyers.
From an execution standpoint, the company is focusing on building depth in high-potential markets rather than just expanding its footprint. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds director retail expansion Karamjyot Singh Chawla said, “Every new store is a step towards creating a truly national footprint with consistent, premium experiences,” highlighting the role of supply chain and operational discipline in supporting growth.
On the product side, the brand is strengthening its merchandising capabilities to keep pace with rising demand. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director of inventory and merchandise Nirav Bhatt said the focus is on building an agile supply system that keeps designs relevant and responsive to consumer trends.
Meanwhile, scaling operations sustainably remains a priority. Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds co-founder and director production and finance Kalpan Dalal said the company is investing in efficient production and financial discipline to support long-term expansion.
The retail rollout is backed by an omni-channel strategy, franchise partnerships and continued investment in design innovation and consumer education. Each store is designed to deliver a consistent, premium experience aligned with the brand’s positioning around transparency and modern luxury.
With a roadmap to reach 200 stores by 2027, Limelight is betting big on both scale and sentiment, aiming to carve out a larger share of India’s evolving fine jewellery market.
