Leading footwear major Bata India on Friday has appointed Gunjan Shah, the former chief commercial officer of Britannia Industries, as its new CEO. Shah will take over from Sandeep Kataria, who was elevated as the Global CEO of Bata Brands in November last year.

Shah will join Bata in June 2021. Based out of Gurugram, he will be leading the brand's operations in India, a statement from Bata India said.

Bata Brands Global CEO Sandeep Kataria stated, “India has always been a significant market for us from a global perspective. A dynamic leader like Gunjan will spearhead the company's operations in India and given his extensive experience and track record, I am confident that he will take the Bata brand to even greater heights and deliver strong growth.”

Before moving to Britannia in 2007, Shah worked with brands such as Asian Paints and Motorola. An alumnus of IIM Kolkata, he has experience working across varied sectors such as consumer durables, telecom, and FMCG.

On his appointment, Shah said, "I am excited about the journey ahead. As an iconic brand, Bata has become an integral part of the Indian fabric. I realize that I have big shoes to fill in and I am thrilled about working with the talented & experienced Bata team. I look forward to building on the legacy of my predecessors in taking the Bata brand to new heights."

Shah has played a critical role in growing the Britannia business, having led several of the firm's business divisions for over a decade. It is these decades of deep expertise and his understanding of the complex Indian market and its nuances that Shah will bring in his new role at Bata India.