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Mercedes-Benz’s Ira Pradhan joins Freshworks as communications lead
NEW DELHI: Days after stepping down as corporate communications lead at Mercedes-Benz R&D India, Ira Pradhan has joined Freshworks as leader of internal communications, diversity & inclusion, and CSR.
Freshworks provides SaaS customer engagement solutions through a suite of products for organisations of all sizes.
Pradhan made the announcement in a post on professional networking platform LinkedIn.
“Often described as a rocketship by most who work here, Freshworks has inspired many, including me, by being a global product company from India, a home-bred SaaS unicorn with one of the most talked about people culture. I am excited to begin this next step in my career and thrilled to work with some of the most talented group of individuals across the globe,” she wrote.
Pradhan was with Mercedes-Benz India for a little over six years, from September 2014 to November 2020. She has over 15 years of experience in communications and has worked with brands like Philips, Wipro and Tesco in the past.
She was recently named among the 20 Rising Stars of 2020 by PRovoke Media in its annual Influence 100 report. She also mentors young women professionals through the Shenomics program: Lead Like a Girl.
MAM
Continental Tires appoints Nevin Aslan-Özkan as Managing Director for India
Finance leader to drive growth in passenger vehicle segment from 6 April 2026.
MUMBAI: Continental Tires has put a fresh pair of tyres on its Indian leadership and this time, they’re rolling with strong financial horsepower. The premium tyre manufacturer has announced the appointment of Nevin Aslan-Özkan as managing director of Continental Tires India, effective 6 April 2026. She succeeds Samir Gupta, who stepped down on 5 April 2026 for personal reasons.
Nevin joined Continental in 2017 and has held key leadership roles in Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategy & Business Development across EMEA and APAC. Since May 2025, she has served as Chief Financial Officer for Continental Tires India, shaping the company’s financial strategy and performance.
In her new role, she will lead the company’s growth agenda in India, with a sharp focus on accelerating its presence in the passenger vehicle segment. This appointment comes at a pivotal time, following the recent launch of the CrossContact A/T² tyre, the first market globally to receive this product and a €10.5 million (approximately Rs 100 crore) investment to strengthen Continental’s position, particularly in the ultra-high-performance (UUHP) segment.
Nevin Aslan-Özkan said, “India continues to be a strong focus market for Continental Tires. Guided by our ‘In the Market, For the Market’ approach, we will continue to deliver products and technologies designed for Indian roads.”
Samir Gupta, who joined Continental in 2012 and served as managing director since January 2022, was recognised for his significant contribution to expanding the brand’s footprint in India.
Continental is a leading global tyre manufacturer founded in 1871. The company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and employs around 78,000 people across 54 countries. Its Tires group sector, which includes premium car, truck, bus, two-wheel and specialty tyres, recorded sales of €13.8 billion in fiscal 2025 and employs more than 56,000 people worldwide.
With Nevin Aslan-Özkan at the wheel, Continental Tires India is clearly gearing up for a smoother and more aggressive drive in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets. The road ahead looks promising.
