Brands
Škoda Auto Volkswagen India appoints Karishhma Kumar as CIO
MUMBAI: Škoda Auto Volkswagen India has appointed Karishhma Kumar as chief information officer, strengthening its leadership as the group accelerates its digital and technology-led transformation in the Indian market.
In her new role, Kumar will lead enterprise-wide IT strategy, digital transformation and technology operations, with a mandate to drive operational efficiency, innovation and business-aligned solutions across manufacturing, sales and corporate functions. The appointment underlines the group’s push to build a scalable, future-ready and digitally empowered automotive ecosystem.
Before joining Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, Kumar held senior leadership roles at Beiersdorf, Otis Elevator Co., Tata Motors Insurance Broking and Advisory Services, and Tata Motors, where she led large-scale digital, IT and manufacturing technology initiatives across India and the Asia-Pacific region.
Earlier in her career, she worked in strategic account management and business development roles at Omnitech Infosolutions, Futurism Technologies and DesignTech Systems.
Kumar’s experience spans IT governance, cloud and CRM platforms, digital transformation, emerging technologies, programme management and process optimisation. She holds an MBA in marketing and systems and has completed executive programmes at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
Brands
Rohini Laya Venkateswaran named executive director at Gillette India
P&G veteran with two decades of experience steps into leadership role
NEW DELHI: Rohini Laya Venkateswaran has been appointed executive director at Gillette India Pvt. Ltd., bringing with her more than two decades of experience across sales, strategy and brand leadership within the consumer goods sector. In her new role, she will help steer the company’s strategic direction and growth while strengthening its footprint in the grooming and personal care category.
Venkateswaran joins the board after a long career at Procter & Gamble, where she spent nearly 21 years shaping sales strategy, building brands and driving market expansion across India and international markets.
Most recently, she served as chief sales officer for India at P&G. Prior to that, she was vice president and country manager for east gulf markets, overseeing operations in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar while also guiding sales strategy across the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she led sales strategy and planning for India while serving as marketing leader for brands such as Olay and Old Spice. During this stint, she focused on reshaping go-to-market channels and building awareness through digital, social and influencer-led campaigns to drive growth.
Her journey at P&G also included roles such as director sales strategy and planning leader India, associate director modern retail and ecommerce, regional manager for Delhi and Rajasthan, and several key account and trade marketing roles across the country. She also spent time in the United States working on the P&G Walmart international team, collaborating on global retail initiatives.
Venkateswaran holds an MBA in marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering.
With her mix of sales acumen, brand-building experience and global exposure, Venkateswaran’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on growth and market leadership for Gillette India.
