Previous Occupation: Business Head, Hypercity
Present Occupation: Chief Executive Officer, Celio
Sector: Retail
Work Experience: 19 years

 

Can you tell us a little about your family background/ history?
I have been a life-long Mumbaikar (barring a few years outside Mumbai, or at least thus far), and I absolutely love the vibe of this city. I was born in Kerala, in a place called Kozhikode. My father is a retiree who used to work for a chemicals company in Mumbai as a Personnel Manager, and my mother is a homemaker. My wife, Bakul, worked with Shoppers Stop and is now on a short break as we are expecting our second child. Our elder angel, Ananya, is seven years old.

Tell us about your profile pre-ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
I did my schooling and college in Mumbai, followed by a postgraduate programme in marketing from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai University). I started my career with Shoppers Stop as a Graduate Management Trainee and went on to assume various leadership roles, particularly in the areas of buying and merchandising. I then went on to head a franchise business for launching “Mothercare,” a prominent kids and babies brand from the U.K. My last role while I was as at the ISB was to head the non-food general merchandise and apparel business for Hypercity. I am a retailer for life and love the buzz of the customer facing business. I have worked in retail now for over 19 years.

Describe your fondest memory of ISB. 
The sheer idea of breaking away from work and immersing oneself in an academic environment at ISB is a fulfilling experience. The company of friends and sharing some amazing times, both in and out of class, was great fun.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
Ours was the founding class of ISB’s PGPMAX and it was a galaxy of great people from across arenas. We all learned from each other, not just professionally, but also as human beings. ISB connects you for life, and I am fortunate to remain in touch with most of my classmates. ISB also teaches you some key life lessons. It enables you to focus on larger goals. It gave me the confidence to take a few risks. Moving from a large corporate to a start-up business of a new brand in India was thanks to ISB.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth? 
After ISB, I took the decision to leave a very settled career in a large format retail business to launch and develop a new brand in India. I am currently the CEO of a French brand called Celio, which is largely an unknown brand in India. My challenge is to change this and make Celio one of the fastest growing menswear brands in the country. ISB taught me the brass tacks of business strategy, which helps me daily to look at my business and the challenges in my roadmap.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
Cerca trova (“seek and you shall find”) at ISB!

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
The main highlight for me was the time we spent as a class living together and sharing our thoughts on various issues – hard and soft. It shows the power of thought when 60 minds work together on some core issue that has a business impact or is just a larger social issue.

Word of advice for the current class?
Do not look at ISB alone as a master key for financial success. ISB gives you the power of knowledge. True success is in using this knowledge to make a difference to lives. Financial success will follow. Be brave enough to take some risks after you are done with the course. Choose less-trodden paths.

What was your favourite course/ class at ISB and why? 
My favourite course was Competitive Strategy. Professor Prashant Kale was outstanding. 

What are the areas in which you can contribute to ISB? 
As alumni and current students, we embody the brand ISB and we have to work constantly to upgrade the value of the brand. We have to stand up as examples of integrity, discipline and innovation. We have to have a social conscience and do our bit to help communities. We have to stand for the highest standards of governance and ethics.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position? 
My current job is highly entrepreneurial. I like the buzz of a small business with a vision to grow very large. I like the kick of a consumer business where we work to make a difference to our consumers’ experience with the brand. Leadership is a big learning, and you learn it every single day.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see? 
Retailing in India is in its absolute infancy. I see the industry developing into a multi-billion dollar organised industry, with at least 20-25% of the industry achieving the status of organised retail. I see a multi-channel retail world where the differences between the online and offline worlds will merge. I see India as a retail capital in about a decade. I see this industry being one of the biggest employment drivers in the country in the coming decade, and thus changing lives as it has done for me.

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