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GREY group India onboards Ankit Mathur as group creative director
Mumbai: GREY group India has appointed Ankit Mathur as the group creative director for its Mumbai office.
He will be based in Mumbai and will report to Sandipan Bhattacharyya, who is managing director and chief creative officer – South Asia. This is another significant addition to the creative force at GREY to underline its approach of offering famously effective creative work through a truly hybrid approach and skillsets.
Mathur brings with him over 11 years of expertise in delivering breakthrough creative work for brands like Uber, Jeep, NIVEA, Spotify, Flipkart, Frooti, and Jio to name a few. His last stint was with Dentsu Webchutney as a creative Director. He has also worked with other leading agencies like Digitas and McCann group on a wide spectrum of brands.
“We’ve been walking the talk on hybrid creative solutions for a while now and demonstrating how the future agency is one where diverse skill sets come together and create ideas for a digital-first world. Ankit has a great blend of strategic prowess, creative purpose and craft to add to the amazing mash-up of talent we have at GREY. He’s totally ready to make some deep dents in the creative universe and he’s found just the right place,” said Bhattacharyya.
On joining GREY group, Mathur said, “The kid inside of me is very proud to share the corridor with people whose work inspired me to join advertising. I see Grey and my goals converge at a simple point – create work that lasts and build platforms for brands that give great opportunities to connect with the audiences in meaningful and delightful ways.”
Mathur has been recognized on the Social Samosa 30under30 list, served as a Shadow Juror for YouTube Awards 2022, and holds a degree in Crafting Creative Communications from MICA. He’s also serving as an Adjunct Professor at Miami Ad School, Mumbai. He lives to do work that gives joy and fulfilment, whether it’s in the output or the process.
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.
