MAM
The Integer Group Asia appoints Ketan Desai as MD of India operations
MUMBAI: Promotional, retail and shopper marketing agency The Integer Group has appointed Ketan Desai as managing director of The Integer Group India. Desai will be assuming his new role immediately.
Desai will work alongside TBWAGroup India chief executive officer Shiv Sethuraman and The Integer Group Asia Pacific regional managing director Dan Paris. He will be responsible for managing the existing network client shopper marketing programmes and will help in to developing The Integer Group‘s clinet base in India.
Before joining the Integer Group, Desai was with Grey Global Group for 14 years where he led major client relationships in India and Sri Lanka. He has worked with both global and local clients such as Procter & Gamble, Marico, Hindustan Times, Audi and GSK. He also has retail and shopper marketing experience after leading the ITC and GSK shopper business for Grey Group.
Desai said, “I am extremely excited to join the team. The Integer Group is a top promotional, retail and shopper marketing agency, and for me, it is the opportunity to develop winning solutions for world class brands at the point of purchase. Retail and shopper marketing is my passion and there is no question for me that it represents the future of industry.”
Sethuraman said “Ketan has considerable experience in many retail categories across our industry, demonstrating the leadership essential to drive growth for some of the biggest brand owners in the world. His addition to the senior team here in Mumbai is a huge asset as our business grows and continues to diversify into the fast-growing space of shopper marketing.”
Paris added, “Ketan has rare expertise in our industry, combining a wide brand portfolio with experience in the growing Indian market and sub-continent region, whilst demonstrating the granular insight critical to driving powerful and effective creative work for the brands under his stewardship.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â 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.
