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Bombay Shaving Company elevates Varun Gupta to chief growth officer (online)
Mumbai: Visage Lines Personal Care Pvt Ltd, the holding company of brands Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae has elevated its SVP – head of growth (online), Varun Gupta to chief growth officer (online) – Bombay Shaving Company, Bombae & 100 Days.co (VLPCPL).
Gupta has had a remarkable run over the last year, despite market uncertainties. His growth mindset, push for innovation and creative approach to problem solving have contributed strongly to the company’s success and future trajectory. Varun has built a future-ready ecommerce team across direct-to-consumer (D2C) and marketplaces – enabling a staggering 77 per cent growth and increasing profitability by an impressive 80 per cent.
Demonstrating solid strategic vision for the brand; Gupta’s impetus on plugging leaks and scaling profitable products & channels organically have resulted in healthy double-digit market-share for BSC across some of its core categories. Bombay Shaving Company is no longer just a D2C- personal care powerhouse, but one of India’s most loved brands online; challenging the dominance of traditional players.
“Varun has embedded a culture of performance and is a true people leader. His ability to combine deep knowledge of consumer, online platforms and people development makes him a stellar addition to the company leadership. I’m thrilled to see his continued growth and wish him continued success at our company”, says Bombay Shaving Company & VLPCPL founder & CEO Shantanu Deshpande.
“Varun’s contribution to Bombay Shaving Company’s growth over the last year has been inspiring. His calm, strategic and innovative approach to problem-solving and team building in a highly dynamic and evolving online space has been both reassuring to the leadership and morale boosting for the entire organization. I wish him the very best for this new phase and the journey to further accelerate our growth initiatives across all three brands,“ said Bombay Shaving Company & VLPCPL co-founder and COO Deepak Gupta.
Gupta says, “I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me. Our grand vision inspires me; and building towards it, inch by inch, shouldering as much responsibility as possible – gives me immense joy. With a focus on Hair Removal & Personal Hygiene, Bombay Shaving Company & Bombae are poised to change the Personal Care landscape forever. We have a robust, differentiated portfolio, deep consumer & customer relationships and a culture of data driven decision-making – just the right ingredients for healthy and sustained growth.
Shantanu and Deepak have assembled a team of rockstars. We push each other to be a better version of ourselves everyday. I’m proud to play a small part in this long journey destined for us.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
