Brands
KPMG India names Manoj Kumar Vijai as non-executive chairperson
MUMBAI: KPMG in India has tapped insider Manoj Kumar Vijai to chair its India board as non-executive head from 1 January 2026, a move that puts a long-serving firm veteran at the centre of its governance engine. His term runs until 30 April 2030.
Vijai, currently office managing partner for Mumbai and head of risk advisory, brings more than three decades of experience across banking, financial services and multiple leadership stints inside the firm. He said strong governance and accountability would anchor his priorities as chair, underscoring his focus on integrity and strategic oversight.
Chief executive of KPMG in India, Yezdi Nagporewalla, said the appointment reflects the firm’s pride in elevating a homegrown leader while its strategic ambitions continue to fuel growth. He also thanked outgoing chairperson Ajay Mehra for his leadership.
With a seasoned hand taking charge and a deeper bench of talent rising behind him, KPMG in India is pushing into its next chapter at full tilt.
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
