Brands
Rolls-Royce sets sights on India as next global growth hub
NEW DELHI: Rolls-Royce is warming up its engines for a much bigger role in India. The British engineering major says it wants to turn the country into one of its key global home markets, signalling a sharp expansion across defence, aerospace and advanced engineering.
Speaking to PTI, Rolls-Royce India executive vice president Sashi Mukundan, said the company is planning a major investment to tap opportunities spanning jet engines, naval propulsion, land systems and high-end manufacturing.
At the heart of the plan is a bold ambition. Rolls-Royce wants to help build India’s next generation of combat aircraft engines. Developing a future-ready aero engine in India to power jets under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme is a top priority, Mukundan said.
The move reflects India’s growing weight in the global defence and aerospace map. Rolls-Royce already treats the US and Germany as home markets alongside the UK, thanks to deep manufacturing and engineering footprints in both countries. India, the company believes, is ready to join that club.
Beyond fighter jets, Rolls-Royce sees strong potential in powering naval vessels and supporting land-based defence systems, while also expanding its engineering and technology capabilities on Indian soil.
For India, the pitch is clear. More local design, deeper technology partnerships and a louder role in shaping the future of military and industrial propulsion. For Rolls-Royce, it is about more than business. It is about planting roots in a market that is moving fast and thinking big.
If the plan takes off, India may soon find itself not just buying engines, but helping design the ones that drive tomorrow’s machines.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
