Benetton ex-CEO Sridharan to join as Puma India head

Ramprasad Sridharan, former managing director and chief executive of Benetton India, is set to take over as managing director of Puma India, said two people in the know. India is one of the German sportswear retailer's fastest growing markets where it faces rising competition.

- Suneera Tandon & Devina Sengupta

Sridharan will succeed Karthik Balagopalan who stepped down earlier this week.

Puma declined to comment on Sridharan's appointment. He did not respond to Mint's questions on the new position.

Sridharan has held senior leadership roles in the Asia-Pacific region and the UK, helming Benetton India since June 2021. Prior to this, he held senior positions at footwear brand Clarks and L'eros Fashions.

Sridharan takes office at a difficult time when both rivals such as Adidas and Skechers as also new brands are impacting business for incumbents, an industry insider said. "For new management, it will be challenging-from getting more shelf space to branding," an executive in the know told Mint, seeking anonymity. Adidas in India, too, has a new CEO in Vijay Chauhan starting 1 August.