MAM
Kiyawat appointed as Star VP ad sales & distribution SE Asia
MUMBAI: Star today announced the appointment of Gautam Kiyawat as vice president ad sales and distribution for Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia. Based out of Singapore, Kiyawat will report to Bruce A Oltchick, EVP ad sales, distribution and marketing of Star.
Kiyawat in his new portfolio will be responsible for Star’s advertising sales operations of its channels in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as channel distribution businesses in these markets.
Prior to Star, Kiyawat was with Philips Consumer Electronics where he was Asia Pacific marketing director and Procter & Gamble Asia, where he had regional and India-based roles.
Commenting on the appointment, Otlchick said, “With a solid background in consumer products on a regional scale, Gautam is ideally qualified for the role. I believe, with his track record and experience, he will significantly contribute to driving Star’s businesses in the region while further strengthening our ties with clients and providing even more channels and better service to our affiliate partners.”
Kiyawat said, “I’m excited about joining Star. Its unrelenting focus on providing quality entertainment to viewers has gained it a huge following. I hope to build on that by offering more creative and tailored solutions for our clients and business affiliates to deepen their consumer relationships and expand their businesses.”
Kiyawat holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
