Brands
Vels opens Rs 25 crore sports campus as PT Usha kicks off Chennai expansion
CHENNAI: Vels FC was inaugurated by Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha in the presence of Vels Group of Institutions chairman Ishari K Ganesh, marking a major push in Tamil Nadu’s bid to become a sporting hub.
The new campus, built at a cost of Rs 25 crore, features a Fifa-standard football turf, a residential training complex and international coaching led by Spanish trainers. More than 200 players from across India have enrolled in structured programmes, and one student has been sponsored with Rs 20 lakh for advanced training in Spain.
The site also houses the Vels Swimming School, equipped with Olympic-standard lanes, a three-tier diving platform and a 3–12 feet pool: one of the most advanced aquatic facilities in the region.
At the launch, Ishari K Ganesh, also president of the Tamil Nadu Olympic Association, awarded Kabaddi gold medallists Karthika and Abinash scholarships worth Rs 1 lakh each. He announced that 80 students from rural Tamil Nadu will receive free training, accommodation, nutrition and education as part of a grassroots talent drive.
PT Usha lauded the offer of 500 free seats each year, 200 of them for sports achievers, and congratulated Ganesh on his unopposed re-election as TN Olympic Association president. TAOA general secretary Adhav Arjuna urged more institutions to invest in sport and appealed to the IOA chief to allow Tamil Nadu to host the National Games for the first time.
The opening of the Vels Football Residential Academy and Vels Swimming School signals a bold new chapter for Tamil Nadu’s sporting ambitions.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
