Ankit Khanuja | General Manager HR - Performance, Rewards, TA and HRBP Product | Pantaloons, ABFRL

Ankit Khanuja can thrive amid change and uncertainty. “Adaptability exemplifies my approach to life and work, and I believe it is essential for success in today’s fast-paced environment.,” Ankit states. This trait comes in handy in his role as the General Manager of Human Resources at Pantaloons, a retail brand under Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL). In his multifaceted role, Ankit oversees performance management, rewards, talent acquisition, and HR business partnering, embodying the dynamic spirit of modern human resource management. 

Building a career in HR

Ankit's journey into human resources was not initially intentional but unfolded organically. “Initially, it just happened, but over the years, I have enjoyed the work profile. It allows me to make an impact on the business every day in all spheres of people's decisions,” he explains. His experiences have solidified his passion for HR, as he recognises the critical role it plays in shaping organisational culture and driving business success.

Reflecting on his experiences in 2024, Ankit acknowledges the challenges faced by the apparel sector and states the importance of talent management. “It’s been a challenging year for my sector, and I have picked up an important learning: managing, developing, and growing talent in the organisation is crucial to ensure we tide through the most difficult of times,” he states. This insight reinforces his commitment to investing in employee development as a means of building resilience in HR.

With a clear vision for the future, Ankit articulates his aspiration for HR in 2025: “For me, the vision for HR is to be a trusted advisor and a force multiplier for the business.” This perspective underscores his commitment to aligning HR practices with overarching business goals, ensuring that the human capital within Pantaloons is effectively leveraged to achieve strategic objectives.

Enhancing HR capabilities at Pantaloons

In his role, Ankit is dedicated to developing HR capabilities across the organisation. “My role in developing HR capabilities includes preparing my teams to take on higher responsibilities by continuously getting them upskilled and empowered,” he states. His proactive approach to professional development has led to meaningful improvements in HR practices at Pantaloons.

One significant initiative that Ankit has spearheaded is the development and execution of a rewards framework grounded in the principles of pay parity and performance. This framework not only promotes a culture of fairness and equity but also ensures that employee contributions are recognised and rewarded in a manner that aligns with the organisation’s goals. “My work has added value across the value chain,” he notes, highlighting how these initiatives positively impact employee motivation and engagement.

Navigating current challenges in HR

As the HR landscape continues to evolve, Ankit is all too familiar with the challenges facing HR professionals today. “How can we, as HR leaders, anticipate, think, and solve different business problems?” he says, emphasising the need for HR to be forward-thinking and strategic. To address this challenge, Ankit focuses on identifying and nurturing talent, creating effective succession plans, and enhancing team capabilities, particularly in relation to AI-based tasks. “My work enables me to identify the right talent, create the right succession plans, and enhance the capability of the teams,” he explains. By prioritising these areas, Ankit ensures that Pantaloons is well-equipped to adapt to changing market dynamics and deliver exceptional results.

Self-reflections during Are You In The List 2024 awards

Ankit's participation in the People Matters Are You In The List Awards powered by Aon has been pivotal to his professional growth. “Self-reflection is what was enabled for me through the assessment parameters,” he shares, highlighting how the process has helped him identify strengths and the need for improvement. This introspective journey has provided him with valuable insights into his leadership style.

Moreover, participating in the awards has created opportunities for networking and learning from industry leaders and peers. “It opens up avenues to network and learn from leaders and peers. It keeps us close to changing trends in the HR space, which in turn helps me as a leader to think and execute priorities that would help the business,” Ankit explains. He remains at the forefront of industry developments and best practices by engaging with the broader HR community.

Meet other HR leaders and winners of the Are You In The List 2024 awards by following #AreYouInTheList.