MAM
WPP scales up investment in India with new Chennai campus
Chennai – WPP announceD a further investment in India, its fifth largest market, as it opens a new state-of-the-art campus in Chennai.
With over 11,000 people, India is a twin growth engine for WPP, being home both to some of the company’s best performing agency teams and many of its global support functions. WPP’s Enterprise Technology team in India are the first to move into the new Chennai campus, with further teams joining at a later date.
The new campus is WPP’s third in India after Mumbai and Gurgaon and forms part of the company’s global strategy to provide inspiring, collaborative and flexible spaces for its people. By bringing together the best talent, technological capabilities and facilities under one roof, WPP is able to effectively support its teams in their career development and their delivery of outstanding work for clients. WPP plans to continue to scale its presence in India, one of its fastest growing markets, by adding campuses in Bangalore and Coimbatore over the next few years.
The Chennai campus is located at RMZ One Paramount and has been designed to enhance the employee experience, featuring a dedicated ‘marketplace’ of food and beverage options, EV charging, a day-care centre, several permanent art installations by prominent artists and a wellness terrace that includes a futsal court, a running track and a yoga deck. Over 62,000 square feet in size, the campus has been designed to initially accommodate over 330 people in phase one, with an expansion to 650 people by mid-2025.
In line with WPP’s net zero commitments, the circular-designed campus incorporates green building materials. RMZ One Paramount has also been LEED Platinum certified due to its sustainability credentials, including grey water recycling and roof collection, on-site electricity generation and regenerative architecture.
WPP’s country manager for India, CVL Srinivas said: “The scalability of our operations and expertise of our team in India makes it the prime location to power WPP’s global support functions, including the WPP Enterprise Technology team. WPP’s commitment to India through our investment in a new Chennai campus, with further campuses in Bangalore and Coimbatore on the near horizon, ensures the market will remain a significant growth driver for WPP.”
WPP CEO Mark Read said: “India continues to be one of our fastest-growing markets thanks to its technological innovation, creative output and specialist skillsets. WPP is committed to investing in India through our new campuses, creating spaces that foster collaboration, inspire creativity and enable career development. In doing so, we are opening up new opportunities for our people in India and supporting our clients’ growth ambitions – both domestically, in the world’s most populous nation, and abroad.”
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: 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.
