Mahindra Group names Shveta Arya Chief Strategy Officer effective September 15

Mahindra Group has appointed Shveta Arya as its Group Chief Strategy Officer, effective 15 September 2026, strengthening its leadership team as the conglomerate sharpens its focus on long-term growth, portfolio value creation and strategic transformation.

Arya will lead the Group Strategy Office and work across Mahindra's diverse businesses to identify growth opportunities, unlock value and build sustainable competitive advantage. She will also become part of the Senior Management of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The appointment places Arya on the Group Executive Board, where she will report directly to Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director, Mahindra Group.

New mandate spans the group's business portfolio

In her new role, Arya will be responsible for shaping strategic priorities across Mahindra's portfolio of businesses.

The company said her focus will include:

• Identifying growth opportunities across businesses
• Unlocking value creation initiatives
• Supporting long-term strategic planning
• Driving enterprise-wide strategic advantage
• Working with leadership teams across the group

Her appointment comes as large diversified groups increasingly focus on portfolio optimisation, capital allocation and long-term growth planning amid evolving market conditions and technological change.

Leadership experience across sectors

Arya joins Mahindra after a career spanning more than 23 years across multinational companies and management consulting firms.

Her professional experience covers multiple sectors, including:

• Automotive
• Travel
• Financial services
• Telecommunications

Most recently, she served as Managing Director of Cummins India Limited, where she was responsible for business growth, customer success, talent development and organisational culture.

According to Mahindra, she also played a role in fostering an inclusive and ethical workplace environment during her tenure at Cummins India.

Strategy and transformation background

Before joining Cummins India, Arya led Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions at Thomas Cook India.

Her earlier professional experience includes roles at:

• Kearney
• Infosys

Throughout her career, she has worked across strategy development, business transformation and growth initiatives, bringing experience from both operating businesses and consulting environments.

The combination of operational leadership and strategic planning experience is expected to support Mahindra's efforts to create value across its varied business portfolio.

Mahindra highlights growth and change leadership

Announcing the appointment, Dr. Anish Shah said Arya's experience would support the group's growth ambitions and long-term value creation agenda.

He noted her background in business leadership, strategy and management consulting across sectors, as well as her track record in leading organisations through periods of change.

According to Shah, Arya's approach to growth and transformation aligns with Mahindra's broader purpose and long-term objectives.

Strong academic and social impact credentials

Arya holds:

• A Master of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering in Information Technology from Delhi University

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, she has also been involved in diversity, inclusion and women's empowerment initiatives.

Mahindra noted her role as programme sponsor for a Cummins initiative focused on improving the lives of girls and women in India.

Strategic appointment at a global conglomerate

Founded in 1945, Mahindra Group employs more than 324,000 people across over 100 countries.

The group maintains leadership positions in several sectors, including:

• Farm equipment
• Utility vehicles
• Information technology
• Financial services

Mahindra is also the world's largest tractor manufacturer by volume and has business interests spanning renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate.

Arya's appointment adds a senior strategy leader to the group's executive ranks as Mahindra continues to navigate growth opportunities across a broad portfolio of businesses and global markets.