MAM
WPP appoints Simon Dingemans to the board
Mumbai: WPP on Monday announced the appointment of Simon Dingemans to its board as a non-executive director, with immediate effect.
He is associated with the global investment firm The Carlyle Group as senior advisor in the UK. “Dingemans will serve as a member of the audit committee upon joining the board,” said the statement.
Commenting on the appointment, WPP chairman Roberto Quarta said, “We are delighted to welcome Simon to WPP. His insight from a varied and distinguished career, combining both operational and financial experience, will be invaluable to the Board as WPP continues its transformation and strategic progress.”
Prior to joining Carlyle, Dingemans was associated with GlaxoSmithKline as CFO and a member of the mainboard from 2011 to 2019, where he drove extensive restructuring and change programmes that delivered significant financial and operational efficiencies. He also led a number of significant strategic transactions. As CFO, he was responsible for leading finance and a variety of other functions including procurement, real estate and technology, including cyber security.
Prior to GSK, Dingemans worked in investment banking for 25 years at SG Warburg and then at Goldman Sachs, where he was managing director and partner for 10 years as a leader of their European M&A business and head of UK investment banking. Dingemans served as non-executive chair of the Financial Reporting Council in 2019/20. He was also the chairman of the 100 Group which represents the views of finance directors in the FTSE 100 and a number of large UK private companies.
“WPP is the global leader in its sector with a clear strategy for continued success and value-creation. I am very much looking forward to being part of the transformation journey and supporting the future growth of the company,” said Dingemans.
MAM
Sameer Nair steps down as CEO of Applause Entertainment
Veteran media executive exits after a decade at the Aditya Birla Group-backed studio.
MUMBAI: After a decade of calling the shots, Sameer Nair is taking a bow from Applause Entertainment. The veteran industry leader and CEO of the prominent content studio is stepping down from his role, according to sources familiar with the development. This marks a significant leadership transition at one of India’s key players in the television and digital content space.
Applause Entertainment, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has built a strong reputation under Nair’s leadership for its high-quality adaptations of international formats and a slate of original series across OTT platforms. Nair, who joined the company a decade ago, was instrumental in shaping its growth and positioning it as a notable force in India’s evolving streaming landscape.
Prior to Applause, he held senior roles at major media organisations, including Star India, where he played a pivotal part in the launch of the iconic show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. He also worked with Balaji Telefilms and NDTV Imagine.
It remains unclear who will succeed Nair or what his next professional move will be. Queries sent to Nair did not receive a response, and Applause Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
His exit comes at a time when the Indian content ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes, with streaming platforms recalibrating investments, focusing on profitability, and adjusting content strategies amid shifting viewer preferences and increasing competition.
Industry insiders suggest the transition could signal a strategic reset for Applause as it navigates the next phase of growth.
In the fast-paced world of Indian entertainment, where hits can fade as quickly as they rise, Sameer Nair has enjoyed a remarkably steady and influential run. As he steps off the stage at Applause, the spotlight now turns to what comes next for both the executive and the studio he helped build.
