Brands
Neha Gour soars to associate VP role at PHD
GURUGRAM: Neha Gour has been promoted to associate vice president – planning at PHD, marking an exciting milestone in her career.
Sharing her joy, Gour said, “I’m thrilled to step into this new role and grow alongside such remarkable people. Special thanks to Monaz Todywalla and Linu John for their guidance and support.”
Gour brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as general manager at PHD since 2022. Her earlier stints include deputy manager marketing at McDonald’s India – North and East, where she oversaw digital strategy and brand campaigns, and leadership roles at Havas, Wavemaker, and Vdopia, driving media strategy and digital growth for a variety of clients.
Her career journey spans over a decade, blending analytics, creativity, and digital expertise. With a proven track record of translating media strategies into business results, Gour is set to lead PHD’s planning team into its next phase of growth.
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
