As we pass the halfway mark of the year, significant shifts have already been witnessed in the HR industry. HR leaders have transitioned to larger companies, while others have assumed more substantial roles, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. These strategic appointments hold the potential to reshape talent acquisition, workforce dynamics, and the overall company culture. 

By aligning HR strategies with business objectives, the movements drive improvements in employee engagement, retention, and adaptability. In essence, HR movements play a pivotal role in nurturing a motivated and productive workforce, thereby contributing to the sustained growth and competitiveness of organisations. Therefore, we present the list of the biggest HR movements of 2023, who are reshaping the industry!  

Nirav Jagad: Nykaa - SUGAR Cosmetics 

Beauty brand SUGAR Cosmetics appointed Nirav Jagad as its chief people officer (CPO) to oversee all aspects of SUGAR's talent and culture initiatives. In this role, he is driving strategic and transformational results while working closely with the leadership of the company and its diverse cross-functional team across India. 

This includes managing overall people operations, employee wellbeing, and culture building, with a focus on providing a tech-driven employee experience and enhancing the talent value proposition. Before joining SUGAR Cosmetics, Jagad was part of the leadership team that scaled Nykaa through back-to-back years of steep growth.

Arvind Srivastava: Bansal Group - Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd appointed Arvind Srivastava as President of HR. He brought with him more than 26 years of comprehensive experience in people management operations and restructuring organisations. Before joining Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, he worked with Bansal Group of Companies as CHRO & Group Head HR from April 2021 to December 2022.

Tarun N P Varma: Shell Group - Tata Consumer Products

Tata Consumer Products (TCP), the consumer products company uniting the principal food and beverage interests of the Tata Group under one umbrella, appointed Tarun N P Varma as Global Chief Human Resources Officer. Tarun succeeded Amit Chincholikar, who moved on from TCP. 

Before joining TCP, Tarun led the HR function for Shell Group of Companies in India. Prior to this, he held multiple HR leadership roles across leading multinational corporations such as Vodafone, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, and Nestle.

Sandeep Nainwal: Flipkart - Revolut

UK-based fintech Revolut appointed Sandeep Nainwal as the Head of People in India. Nainwal joined Revolut India after handling people practices in the fintech and payments group of Flipkart.

Preemita Singh: Hero FinCorp - Havells

Havells India appointed Preemita Singh as CHRO and EVP. Preemita had more than two decades of rich and diverse experience in leading HR in BFSI, IT, and consulting sectors. Before joining Havells India, Preemita worked with Hero FinCorp as CHRO from September 2019 to January 2023. She had also worked with ICRA, Max Life, EY, and Thermax in various capacities.

Aparna Kuppuswamy: SBI Cards - BharatPe

Fintech firm BharatPe Group appointed Aparna Kuppuswamy as its Chief Risk Officer. Before joining BharatPe, Kuppuswamy had served as the Chief Risk Officer at SBI Cards for over 14 years, where she led numerous key projects. During her tenure, the company's portfolio grew by more than 20-fold. She was also part of the leadership team that took SBI Cards public. Kuppuswamy effectively managed the entire spectrum of risks faced by the company in a fast-changing and unpredictable environment.

Reena Tyagi: ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company - Future Generali India

Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Ltd. appointed Reena Tyagi as Chief Human Resource Officer. With over two decades of experience, she specialises in HR business partnering, building HR strategy relevant to business objectives and the external environment, operational excellence, and execution. Before joining Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Ltd, Reena had been the CHRO at ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Ltd.

Archana Shiroor: HDFC Bank - YES BANK

YES BANK announced the appointment of Archana Shiroor as the designate Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of the bank. Shiroor had previously served as the head of HR for retail branch banking, government, and institutional banking at HDFC Bank, where she oversaw a workforce of over 55,000 employees and was also responsible for managing talent acquisition, regional HR teams, and employee relations for the bank.

Lokesh Sikka: Onida - Reliance Retail

Reliance Retail, the retail initiative of Reliance Industries Limited, announced the appointment of Lokesh Sikka as its new HR head. Lokesh, who carried more than 19 years of experience spanning across services, retail, e-commerce, and corporate assignments, was tasked to head HR for the Product Business Group at Reliance Retail. Before joining Reliance Retail, Lokesh had worked with Onida where he led the HR function. In addition to HR, he had also looked after administration and IR, Industrial Relations PAN India.

Swati Singh: Genpact - MobiKwik

MobiKwik appointed Swati Singh as the company's new HR head. In her role, Swati is tasked with the responsibilities of the people and culture agenda of the organisation. Before joining MobiKwik from Genpact, she had previously worked with SOTI as Director Human Resources – APAC. Swati also had experience in various roles and responsibilities at Johnson Controls, Questa Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Initto Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., HCL Comnet Limited, Shradha HRD, and Vertex Inc.

Vrinda Pai: Tata Motors - Jaguar Land Rover

Vrinda Pai recently assumed the role of Head of Human Resources at Jaguar Land Rover, as per her announcement on social media. Before this appointment, she had worked at Tata Motors as the Deputy General Manager in the Human Resources department. Her experience in the field also included stints at KEC International and Essar.

Satish Mohapatra: Siemens - Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki India onboarded Satish Mohapatra as vice president and head of Central HR. Mohapatra, who came with more than 25 years of experience spanning across manufacturing, IT, telecom, automobile, oil & gas sectors, joined Maruti Suzuki on April 3. Before joining Maruti Suzuki, Mohapatra, in his immediate roles, had worked with Siemens as Vice President and Head - People & Organisation (HR), Smart Infrastructure, South Asia. He had also worked at Atos, Siemens Technology India, Indian Oil Corporation, and Tata Communications (VSNL).

Indrajeet Sengupta: Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages - Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mahindra Automotive appointed Indrajeet Sengupta as its new senior vice president human resources. He replaced Manish Sinha, who made a move to the group's financial services arm as CHRO at Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. (MMFSL). Before joining Mahindra, Sengupta had worked as CHRO of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages.

Rahul Singh: Hyatt Regency - Grand Hyatt

Grand Hyatt Mumbai appointmented Rahul Singh as the new Director of Human Resources. With a career spanning over 16 years in the hospitality industry, Rahul brought a wealth of diverse experience from brands such as Hyatt International, Marriott International, and Berggruen Hotels. Before joining the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, he had served as the Director of Human Resources at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu.

Sachi Krishana: AWS India - Vymo

Vymo appointed Sachi Krishana as its new Chief Human Resource Officer. She had joined Vymo from AWS India and APJ Commercial Sales, where she had worked as Director of HR for more than five years.

Krishna Kumar Thakur: Central Railway - BHEL

The Board of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) appointmented Krishna Kumar Thakur as Director of Human Resources on July 4, 2023. Before joining the BHEL Board, Thakur had led the HR and Administration function of Central Railway as Chief Personnel Officer. 

Additionally, in his well-established career in Railways and other PSUs, he had headed the HR departments of three important Railway divisions, namely Solapur, Bhopal, and Mumbai, covering all HR matters for the thirty-five thousand staff of the Mumbai Division. While serving as the Chairman of the Railway Recruitment Cell, Western Railway, he had successfully recruited around twelve thousand employees.

Maninder Kapoor: Mastek - Biocon 

Pharmaceutical company Biocon Limited appointed Maninder Kapoor Puri as the head of human resources. She had joined Biocon from Mastek Ltd where she served as the global chief human resources and diversity officer. She came with over 25 years of leadership experience in human resources management, change management, talent management, organizational development, people analytics and communication, employee relations, compensation and benefits, learning and development.