Brands
Quest Global says 90 per cent of its women workforce is in engineering
Women make up 25 per cent of global workforce as leadership promotions and retention improve
BENGALURU: At Quest Global, the gender equation in engineering is being recalculated, and women are increasingly solving for X. Ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, the engineering services firm has revealed new workforce data showing that women are not only growing in number across the company but are also increasingly embedded in the organisation’s core technical and leadership pipelines.
Women currently make up 25 per cent of Quest Global’s global workforce, but the more striking statistic lies in where they work. Nine out of ten women employees, roughly 90 per cent, are in technical and engineering roles. In an industry where women globally account for about 28 per cent of the Stem workforce, the company’s numbers suggest a different narrative, one where female talent is not clustered in support functions but directly involved in solving complex engineering challenges.
The trend is visible across several delivery centres. At the company’s Trivandrum facility, one of its largest engineering hubs, women represent 46 per cent of the workforce, compared with 54 per cent men, making it one of the more gender-balanced technical environments within the organisation.
Beyond representation, Quest Global says the momentum is also evident in leadership mobility. The share of women promoted into managerial roles rose to 25 per cent in 2025, up from 20 per cent in 2024, marking a five percentage point year-on-year increase.
Retention metrics show an equally notable shift. Female attrition has fallen sharply to 6 per cent in FY26 year to date, a significant drop from 18 per cent in FY24, indicating improved career continuity and engagement. Across the organisation, voluntary attrition has declined between FY24 and FY26 year to date, with women consistently recording lower exit rates than men.
For Quest Global senior vice president, people and cultureSonia Kutty, the numbers signal more than incremental progress.
“At Quest Global, our focus has been to ensure that women engineers are not just represented, but meaningfully engaged in core technical roles and leadership pathways,” she said. “Seeing over 90 per cent of our women employees contributing directly to engineering reflects our commitment to creating an environment where technical talent can thrive.”
She added that the rise in managerial promotions and stronger retention figures demonstrate that inclusive growth is becoming embedded within the organisation rather than remaining a one-off initiative.
Quest Global co-founder and CEO Ajit Prabhu, said diversity is becoming increasingly critical as engineering challenges grow more complex.
“Engineering innovation thrives on diverse perspectives, and increasing participation of women in technical roles is essential to solving the complex challenges industries face today,” he said. “Our progress reflects a deliberate effort to build long-term careers for women engineers, from early talent development to leadership opportunities.”
The push for deeper inclusion is also supported internally through initiatives such as “together,” the company’s employee resource group focused on strengthening community and representation. Group executive sponsor and chief strategy officer Yumi Clevenger-Lee, said building engineering excellence and inclusive career pathways must evolve together.
“Enabling more women to participate and lead in core technical roles is essential to driving innovation and long-term impact,” she said, noting that sustained leadership development and performance-driven opportunities are central to how the company builds careers.
The company’s data arrives at a time when global industries are grappling with persistent engineering talent shortages and rapid technological change. Increasing the participation of women in technical fields is increasingly seen as a crucial lever for sustaining innovation and workforce resilience.
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Quest Global has also released a three-minute video featuring two of its women leaders, highlighting career journeys and reinforcing the company’s broader focus on advancing women in engineering and leadership.
If the numbers are any indication, the company’s approach suggests that the future of engineering may not simply be about building smarter machines, but also about building more inclusive teams to design them.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
