Brands
Mallikarjuna Rao named head of online sales at Xiaomi India
BENGALURU: Xiaomi India has pressed refresh on its leadership playbook, elevating Mallikarjuna Rao B V to head of online sales across all categories for Xiaomi India, while also entrusting him with the PocoIndia brand across all channels.
The move marks a pivotal shift for the company as it looks to sharpen its digital edge. Rao steps into the role after a standout stint as head of channels for offline sales, where he helped rewrite the script for Xiaomi’s brick-and-mortar business.
During his tenure, the offline network saw a strong revival driven by clear and transparent partner policies, smart use of technology, and close collaboration with retailers and distributors. The result was renewed momentum and a noticeable lift in trust across the channel ecosystem.
Now, Rao brings that same playbook to the online arena, overseeing Xiaomi and Redmi’s digital portfolios while also steering Poco across channels. With consumer buying journeys blurring lines between online and offline, the appointment signals Xiaomi India’s intent to knit its sales strategy into one seamless experience.
For Xiaomi, it is less about a change of chair and more about continuity of momentum, with a leader who has already shown a knack for turning strategy into scale.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
