Brands
Uber elevates Balaji Krishnamurthy as CFO
CALIFORNIA: Uber has turned to an insider to mind the money. The ride-hailing giant has elevated Balaji Krishnamurthy as chief financial officer, tightening its grip on financial strategy as growth motors ahead.
The appointment takes effect on February 16, 2026. Krishnamurthy replaces Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah, who will step down but stay on as a senior finance adviser to chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi until July 1, 2026.
Krishnamurthy is no stranger to Uber’s books. Currently vice president, strategic finance, he joined in 2019 and ran investor relations from 2020 to 2023, giving him a front-row seat to the firm’s market story.
Uber was keen to dampen any drama. Mahendra-Rajah’s departure, it said, has nothing to do with disputes over disclosures or accounting. His exit will count as a qualifying termination under the firm’s executive severance plan.
The reshuffle arrived alongside solid numbers. In the October–December quarter, trips climbed 22 per cent year on year to 3.8bn, powered by an 18 per cent rise in monthly active platform consumers. Gross bookings jumped 22 per cent to $54.1bn, while revenue rose 20 per cent to $14.4bn.
The message is clear: Uber’s engine is humming, and it wants a steady hand on the tiller. In a business built on speed, the real test is not just how fast you grow, but how well you count the fare at the end of the ride.
Brands
Radico Khaitan appoints Kunal Madan as chief marketing officer
Promotions signal focus on premium spirits, global expansion and homegrown leadership
UTTAR PRADESH: Radico Khaitan has elevated two long-serving insiders to its top leadership team, signalling a bold push into premium spirits and global markets. Kunal Madan steps in as chief marketing officer, while Sudhir Upadhyay takes charge as chief sales officer, both part of what managing director Abhishek Khaitan calls a consciously built next-generation leadership bench.
“At Radico Khaitan, our growth has always been powered by people,” Khaitan said. “True leadership is not imported, it is cultivated.” He added that empowering internal talent ensures continuity while keeping the company globally competitive and future-ready.
Madan, with over 20 years of experience across global sales and marketing, will drive brand architecture, marketing strategy, and the premiumisation agenda, including travel retail. Upadhyay, who has 25 years in the industry and was most recently national sales head, will oversee distribution expansion and execution across markets.
The leadership reshuffle comes amid Radico’s intensified focus on premium spirits, a segment driving higher margins and international growth. Last year, Ajay Kakkar was brought on to head the Premium On-Trade vertical, targeting modern and institutional channels to boost presence in high-growth segments.
Meanwhile, Amar Sinha stepped down as chief operating officer after contributing across multiple growth phases. Khaitan acknowledged Sinha’s role in supporting the company’s trajectory, while Sinha described his tenure as “an absolute privilege,” crediting Khaitan’s leadership for shaping the company’s strategic direction.
With a homegrown leadership bench and a clear premium agenda, Radico Khaitan is set to accelerate its global expansion while doubling down on brand elevation and market impact.
