Brands
Percol brews a fresh chapter in India with CCL’s premium coffee play
MUMBAI: Espresso yourself, India your coffee upgrade has just arrived. In a strategic sip forward, CCL Products (India) Ltd. has launched Percol, the iconic British coffee brand, in the Indian market. Known for its ethical sourcing, premium blends, and sustainability-first approach, Percol’s India debut follows its acquisition by CCL in 2023.
Founded in 1987 by Brian Chapman, Percol was the UK’s first coffee brand to bag Fairtrade certification, long before “conscious consumerism” became a buzzword. Ironically, CCL had been quietly brewing Percol’s instant coffee blends for the UK market for years. So when the brand went up for sale, CCL didn’t just see a business opportunity, it recognised a chance to bring home a flavourful legacy it helped craft.
Now officially under CCL’s belt, Percol is stepping onto Indian shelves with three sophisticated freeze-dried instant blends Intenzo, Da Essenza, and Espresso Noir. Crafted with beans sourced from Colombia, Vietnam, and other global hotspots, each 100g jar promises a deep, complex cup for a discerning audience used to swirling, sipping, and savouring.
“The Indian coffee landscape is evolving rapidly,” said CCL Products (India) Ltd CEO Praveen Jaipuriar. “Percol represents not just premium coffee, but a philosophy that resonates with today’s nuanced consumer, who is particular about the sophistication, depth and value of the products they consume.”
That philosophy also reflects in the packaging think reusable glass jars, metal caps, and matte-finished boxes with embossing and spot-UV flourishes. It’s where aesthetic meets ethic: no plastic, no compromise.
Targeted first at Tier-1 cities in North and West India, Percol’s blends are now available on major e-commerce platforms and select supermarkets. And while it’s starting as instant coffee, this is anything but a quick fix, it’s a carefully brewed invitation to elevate the at-home coffee ritual.
With Percol, CCL isn’t just expanding its portfolio, it’s stirring up India’s premium coffee scene, one conscious cup at a time.
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
