In 2023, significant industry shifts were witnessed as HR leaders transitioned to larger corporations or embraced more prominent positions, introducing novel viewpoints and inventive methods. These strategic appointments carry the potential to redefine talent acquisition, workforce dynamics, and overall company ethos.

By aligning HR strategies with corporate goals, these transitions promote enhancements in employee engagement, retention, and flexibility. Essentially, these HR movements play a crucial role in cultivating a motivated and efficient workforce, thereby bolstering organizations' sustained growth and competitive edge. Thus, here is a compilation of the most influential HR movements of 2023, reshaping the industry landscape!

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.

Kamaljeet Kaur: Sterlite Power- Gensol Group

Gensol Group appointed seasoned HR leader Kamaljeet Kaur as the group chief people officer (CPO). With over two decades of experience, Kamaljeet is tasked with spearheading the human resources function for the entire group, overseeing entities like BluSmart, Gensol Engineering Ltd., Param Renewables, Prescinto, Matrix Gas, and others. Before joining Gensol Group, Kamaljeet had served as a whole-time director and CHRO at Sterlite Power. Her contributions significantly impacted the company's growth and success during her six-year tenure. Additionally, she had held pivotal roles in global multinational companies and prominent Indian organizations such as Wrigley, Hero Motor Corp, Jubilant FoodWorks, and HDFC Bank.

Vinod Rai: Maruti Suzuki - Orient Papers

Orient Paper & Industries (CK Birla Group) brought Vinod Rai on board as its chief human resources officer. He is based in Kolkata and reports to Ashwin Laddha, Managing Director, and CEO at Orient Paper & Industries. “I'm pleased to announce that I began a new role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Orient Papers and Industries Ltd (CK Birla Group)!” Rai had written on LinkedIn. With over two decades of experience in leading organisations, Rai has been tasked with responsibilities such as HR transformation, capability building, realignment of policies, digitisation, and more.

Hrishi Mohan: Tenshi Life Sciences- AXISCADES

AXISCADES Technologies appointed Hrishi Mohan as its group chief human resources officer. Mohan has over two decades of experience in business partnering, learning and development, and strategic change management across various geographies. His expertise laid in change management during complex business transitions, talent strategy, innovation, cross-cultural management of diverse cultures, and robust HR business partnering. Mohan had worked with Wipro for more than 16 years. 

Indraneel Kumar Das: BYJU'S- Havells India

The electrical equipment company announced the appointment of Indraneel Kumar Das as Joint Vice President - Human Resources. Das joined Havells India from BYJU'S, where he served as AVP & Head- L&OD- Byjus Tuition Centre for nearly two years. "I'm delighted to announce my new role as Jt. Vice President - HR at Havells India Ltd!" Das had written in a LinkedIn post. Apart from his tenure at BYJU's, he held positions at Kohler, PepsiCo, and Raymond in diverse roles such as global head-talent development, senior manager sales capability, and national training manager.

Mitalee Dabral: ShareChat - Wayfair 

Wayfair, having entered the Indian market with its Technology Development Centre in Bengaluru in May this year, announced the appointment of Mitalee Dabral as the country HR leader. Dabral, with over 20 years of experience across leading organisations and startups, was based in Bengaluru and reported to Kaila, Head of Technology and Site Leader for Wayfair India. She had joined Wayfair from ShareChat, where she served as the vice president of human resources for three years.

Neha Ahluwalia: Hitachi Energy India – ABB

Hitachi Energy India appointed Neha Ahluwalia as the Head of Human Resources. Neha, an HR professional with extensive global, regional, and local leadership experience, joined Hitachi Energy India from ABB. Her background encompassed expertise across all HR facets – COE, HRBP, and Shared Services in various geographic locations. With approximately 18 years of robust experience, she specialized in leading significant transformational change management projects and had extensive project management experience from inception to implementation.

Ruhie Pande: Godrej - Sterlite Power

Sterlite Power appointed Ruhie Pande as the Group Chief Human Resources Officer with immediate effect. In her new role, she oversees the HR division, focusing on strategy, talent, and culture, working alongside the group’s Managing Director, Pratik Agarwal. With over 20 years of HR leadership expertise, Ruhie brought extensive experience across diverse sectors, including financial services, real estate, fashion retail, information technology, and FMCG. Before joining Sterlite Power, she held roles at Godrej Capital as CHRO, at Kaya Limited as Vice President and Head of HR and Training, and at Marico as Head of HR.

Aditya Raj Nair: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts - Marriot International

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts appointed Aditya Raj Nair as the Head of Human Resources. Aditya joined Oberoi from Marriot International, where he served as director - human resources. “I’m happy to share that I’ve started a new position as Head of Human Resources at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts!” Nair had posted on LinkedIn. He joined Oberoi Hotels & Resorts with over 12 years of HR experience in the hospitality industry. Previously, he had worked with The Leela Palaces-Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels, Sayaji Hotels, and Barbeque Nation, holding various positions within these hospitality groups.

Stay tuned to People Matters for stories that offer valuable insights and lessons, paving the way for reflections, introspection, and the anticipation of what 2024 might hold! 

Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!