MAM
Nikhil Sareen joins Qubo as co-founder, powers next phase of connected living strategy
MUMBAI: Qubo is adding firepower to its leadership bench. The homegrown smart device brand announced the appointment of Nikhil Sareen as its new co-founder. The move marks a pivotal moment as Qubo gears up to expand its footprint across smart living, mobility, and connected home ecosystems.
Sareen brings over 15 years of experience in e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and brand-building to the table. Best known for his strategic leadership at Vahdam India, he helped the brand grow into a global tea powerhouse, driving entry into international markets and scaling its digital-first operations. Prior to that, he co-founded Schoolkart.com and transformed Strauss Sport into a leading name in the sportswear segment.
“I am thrilled to join Qubo at a time when it’s reimagining smart living in India”, said Sareen. “The brand’s deep focus on innovation and its tech-first approach truly set it apart. I look forward to contributing to its strategic growth, expanding the portfolio, and unlocking new opportunities.”
Qubo founder & CEO Nikhil Rajpal welcomed the appointment, “We welcome Nikhil Sareen as the co-founder. His expertise in building and scaling innovative brands positions him as a valuable partner in advancing Qubo’s mission to elevate its connected living platform.”
An ISB alumnus, Sareen’s appointment strengthens Qubo’s strategic muscle as it eyes new product segments and market opportunities. His track record of building high-trust consumer brands makes him well-suited to steer Qubo’s next stage of evolution—from Made-in-India tech to made-for-the-world ambition.
MAM
Indigo appoints Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer
Air India Express MD joins to steer global growth and operational efficiency.
MUMBAI: Indigo just recruited its next big strategist from the rival camp because when you’re chasing the skies, sometimes the best way to fly higher is to borrow the pilot who already knows the route. InterGlobe Aviation, parent company of IndiGo, announced on 23 March 2026 that its board has approved the appointment of Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer. Singh, who most recently served as managing director and CEO of Air India Express, will lead enterprise-wide strategic planning, operational efficiency initiatives and the airline’s aggressive push into international routes.
Reporting initially to managing director Rahul Bhatia and later to Indigo’s incoming CEO Singh brings over three decades of experience across strategy, operations and commercial functions in aviation. At Air India Express he drove network expansion and performance turnaround, earlier roles at Air India and Oman Air sharpened his focus on long-term planning.
“Aloke brings an exceptional blend of strategic vision and operational depth,” Bhatia said. “His experience will be critical as Indigo seeks to build a more agile, resilient and future-ready organisation.”
The appointment arrives at a pivotal moment. Indigo, India’s dominant domestic carrier, has faced intense scrutiny after operational disruptions in December 2025 thousands of cancelled and delayed flights due to crew scheduling misalignments with new pilot fatigue norms triggering fines, passenger chaos and regulatory heat. Former CEO Pieter Elbers resigned in March 2026 citing personal reasons, though his exit followed sustained pressure from those setbacks and rising costs.
Singh described joining Indigo as “a pivotal moment” for both the airline and Indian aviation, as the carrier accelerates beyond its domestic stronghold into a more competitive global arena.
In an industry where turbulence is measured in both altitude and headlines, Indigo isn’t just hiring a strategist, it’s recruiting a steady hand to navigate from domestic dominance to international takeoff, one calculated flight plan at a time.
