Justdial has named former Flipkart executive Dinkar Ayilavarapu as its next Chief Executive Officer, setting up a change at the top as founder V.S.S. Mani prepares to end his tenure as Managing Director and CEO.
The company’s board approved Ayilavarapu’s appointment as CEO-designate and key managerial personnel with effect from July 10, 2026, according to a regulatory filing. He will formally take charge as CEO and key managerial personnel on August 1, 2026.
Mani’s current term ends on July 31.
The transition comes alongside another senior change. Dinesh Taluja has moved from a non-executive director role to become Justdial’s Chief Financial Officer and key managerial personnel.
A new chief executive after the founder
Ayilavarapu brings more than two decades of experience spanning digital commerce, retail and technology.
Before joining Justdial, he held senior roles at Flipkart, including leading Flipkart Wholesale and serving as the e-commerce company’s Group Head of Strategy.
At Flipkart Wholesale, he led an omnichannel business-to-business platform serving more than one million customers across India. His work involved transforming the legacy business into a digital-first and customer-centric platform, alongside technology modernisation, commercial performance, operational discipline and organisational renewal.
His broader experience covers:
- More than 20 years across digital commerce, retail and technology
- Leadership of Flipkart Wholesale
- A previous role as Flipkart’s Group Head of Strategy
- Experience in profit-and-loss leadership, enterprise transformation and long-term strategy
- 15 years at Bain & Company, working on transformation, mergers and turnaround programmes for telecom and technology clients globally
The appointment puts an executive with experience across consulting, strategy and digital commerce at the helm of Justdial.
Dinesh Taluja moves into the CFO role
Justdial is also changing the leadership of its finance function.
The board noted Dinesh Taluja’s resignation as a non-executive director with effect from the close of business on July 10, 2026.
He was subsequently appointed Chief Financial Officer and key managerial personnel from July 11, 2026.
The two appointments mean Justdial is entering August with new leadership across both its chief executive and finance functions.
The change comes as revenue grows but margins narrow
The leadership transition coincides with Justdial’s latest quarterly results.
The company reported revenue of Rs 327 crore, up 9.9% year on year from Rs 298 crore. Its other reported Q1 figures include:
- Net profit: Rs 166 crore, up 4.1% from Rs 160 crore a year earlier
- EBITDA: Rs 87.4 crore, up 1.2% from Rs 86.4 crore
- EBITDA margin: 26.7%, compared with 29% in the corresponding period
The numbers show revenue and profit growth alongside a lower EBITDA margin.
Justdial prepares for its next leadership chapter
The CEO transition marks a significant moment for a company long associated with its founder.
Ayilavarapu will formally take over immediately after Mani’s term ends, while Taluja has already assumed responsibility for the finance function.
For Justdial, the immediate shift is clear: a former Flipkart executive with experience in digital transformation and business strategy will take over the top job as the founder’s CEO tenure concludes.
The focus will now turn to how the new leadership team steers the company as it enters its next phase with a new CEO and CFO in place.