Brands
Polycab names Gyan Pandey executive president and chief digital & information office
Veteran tech leader joins to steer next phase of data-led growth
MUMBAI: Polycab India has named Gyan Pandey as executive president and chief digital and information officer, effective 16 February 2026, as the cables and wires major sharpens its focus on digital transformation.
Pandey joins the company after leading large-scale technology and data initiatives across manufacturing, pharma and engineering sectors. At Voltas, a Tata enterprise, he served as chief digital officer and head digital, where he drove enterprise-wide transformation programmes, promoted a “digital first” culture and built roadmaps for AI adoption across business processes.
Before that, he spent more than seven years as global and group CIO at Aurobindo Pharma, overseeing IT teams across 16 countries and supporting operations in over 150 markets. There, he led the shift from traditional processes to digital platforms, set up global shared services, and steered integration for acquisitions while managing core infrastructure and governance.
His earlier roles include leadership positions at Enrich, Qatar Petrochemical Company, Oracle, Genpact and Panasonic, where he worked across ERP, enterprise applications and global IT operations. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Pandey has handled everything from finance systems to large-scale digital transformation projects.
At Polycab, he will be responsible for advancing the company’s digital agenda, strengthening data capabilities and aligning technology with business growth. His appointment signals the company’s intent to wire its next phase of expansion through smarter systems, sharper insights and a stronger digital backbone.
Brands
Magnum Ice Cream Netherlands takes control of Kwality Wall’s India from Unilever
61.9 per cent stake transfer reshapes ownership as Unilever exits promoter role
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited has entered a new chapter, with The Magnum Ice Cream Company HoldCo 1 Netherlands B.V. acquiring a controlling 61.9 per cent stake from a clutch of Unilever PLC-led entities, marking a significant shift in ownership.
The transaction, completed on March 30, 2026, follows a share purchase agreement signed in June 2025. The incoming promoter picked up over 145 crore equity shares, effectively taking control of the company and being formally classified as its new promoter under regulatory norms.
As part of the deal, the outgoing promoter group, including Unilever Group Limited and its affiliated entities, has fully exited its shareholding in the company. They have now been reclassified from promoter to public shareholders, closing a long-standing association with the ice cream business in India.
The board of Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited took note of the ownership change and approved a series of leadership updates alongside it. Ritesh Tiwari stepped down as director, while Abhijit Bhattacharya was appointed as chairperson and additional non-executive director. Tahir Toloy Tanridagli also joined the board as an additional non-executive director.
The reshuffle signals a broader strategic reset as the Magnum-led entity looks to steer the brand’s next phase of growth in India. The transition has been carried out in line with regulatory requirements, including disclosures tied to the open offer and reclassification norms under market regulations.
With Unilever stepping back and Magnum stepping in, Kwality Wall’s India is effectively getting a fresh scoop of leadership and direction. The coming months will reveal how the new promoter plans to scale the brand in one of the world’s most competitive ice cream markets.
