Brands
Shawn Xavier joins V360 Group as group account director
MUMBAI: V360 Group has strengthened its senior leadership bench with the appointment of Shawn Xavier as group account director, marking a strategic addition to the communications and consulting firm’s growing roster. Xavier took on the role from November 2025, focusing on driving strategy, business development and insight-led client partnerships across the group.
Announcing the move, Xavier said he was pleased to join V360 Group and expressed gratitude to colleagues, mentors and journalist friends who have shaped his professional journey. He noted that their trust and collaboration had played a meaningful role in his career, and said he looked forward to building impactful work alongside V360’s teams and clients.
Xavier brings with him more than a decade of experience from MSLGROUP India, where he spent over ten years rising steadily through the ranks. Most recently, he served as group head from July 2023 to December 2025, following earlier roles as associate director, senior manager and manager. His long tenure saw him handle diverse mandates, manage complex client relationships and contribute to the firm’s leadership and growth in India’s competitive communications landscape.
With a career that began in account support roles and evolved through hands-on management to senior leadership, Xavier’s journey reflects a deep understanding of both the craft and the business of communications. At V360 Group, he is expected to play a key role in shaping strategy-driven narratives, strengthening client engagement and translating insight into measurable impact.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
