The IMPACT Person of the Year (IPOY) is a flagship property of IMPACT Magazine, which is presented to one or more individuals who have made an everlasting impact on the advertising, media and marketing ecosystems. IPOY recognises and celebrates the best minds who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership qualities and have made outstanding contributions during their career.
The excitement is building up, as we announce the nominees who are in the running to win the title this year, the big achievers from the industry who have set new benchmarks. They are Deepinder Goyal, Co-Founder & CEO, Zomato; Falguni Nayar, Founder & CEO, Nykaa; Mohit Burman, Chairman, Dabur India Ltd.; Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto Ltd.; Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, Godrej Consumer Products; Aadit Palicha, Co-Founder & CEO, Zepto and Kaivalya Vohra, Co-Founder, Zepto; Kamesh Goyal, Founder & Chairman, Digit Insurance; Aman Gupta, Co-Founder & CMO, boAt Lifestyle; Peyush Bansal, Co-Founder & CEO, Lenskart; CK Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company; Nitish Mittersain and CEO & Joint Managing Director, Nazara Technologies Limited.
The past winners include Harsh Jain, CEO & Co-Founder, Dream11 & Dream Sports; Sanjiv Mehta, the then CEO and MD of HUL (2021); Sanjiv Puri, Chairman, MD of ITC Ltd (2020); Byju Raveendran, Founder & CEO, Byju’s (2019); Rajan Anandan, then MD, Google India (2018); Baba Ramdev of Patanjali Ayurveda (2017); Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO of Paytm (2016); Arnab Goswami, former President & Editor-in-Chief, Times Now and ET Now (2015); Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (2014); Vineet Jain, MD, Times Group (2013); Ambika Soni, then Minister for Information & Broadcasting (2012), amongst others.
This year’s nominees have been meticulously curated, drawing from the wisdom of industry leaders and experts, alongside thoughtful editorial insight. In
2023-24, a year marked by unprecedented change, we’ve seen a surge of dynamic brands making waves in the digital-first landscape. This year’s contenders have delivered everything to the comfort of our homes—from our favorite meals to phone chargers, amazing sound quality, and even a pair of glasses—all instant and all at the click of a button. This year has been a showcase of both legacy brands and fresh contenders stepping up their game.
Without further ado, here are the contenders in consideration for the highly coveted IPOY title in 2023:
Deepinder Goyal
Co-Founder & CEO, Zomato
Who would have imagined that a guy from a small town in Punjab, will evolve into the Gatsby of the food delivery business in India. The newest addition to the billionaires list, Deepinder Goyal is the face of Zomato, a brand that has revolutionised food delivery services in India. After graduating with a degree in Mathematics and Computing from the esteemed IIT Delhi, Goyal launched his career as a consultant at Bain & Company. But life had bigger plans for him, or, one could say, he had bigger plans for life. In 2008, Deepinder Goyal, along with his colleague, Pankaj Chaddah, launched a food directory, Foodiebay.com, which later transitioned into a full-fledged delivery and discovery service. A couple of years later, it was rebranded as Zomato, and the rest is history. Under Goyal’s leadership, Zomato acquired Blinkit in 2022, and post the acquisition, the quick-commerce leader is said to have seen a three-fold jump in its revenues during FY23. At the same time, Goyal has made sure that Blinkit continues to stay the market leader in the quick-commerce category. He has also exacerbated Blinkit’s expansion spree and has introduced multiple offerings on the app. What is even more remarkable is the fact that after years of hard work, Deepinder’s Zomato finally turned profitable in the 2023-24 financial year. To top that off, Zomato’s revenue for that financial year was over INR 12,000 crore, a 70% increase from around INR 7,000 crore in the previous year.
Falguni Nayar
Founder & CEO, Nykaa
Falguni Nayar started her career in consulting at AF Ferguson & Co. but truly made her mark during her 18-year-long stint at Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, where she eventually served as the managing director. After that, in 2012, the IIM Ahmedabad-graduate, decided to embark on a new journey, and founded Nykaa. Since then, she has made it her mission to take Nykaa to new heights. From launching new verticals like Nykaa Fashion (clothing vertical) and Nykaa Man (Men’s grooming line), to establishing an omnichannel retail presence and increasing impact in Tier 2 and 3 markets, too much has been done too soon. Nayar has also been behind several sustainable initiatives of the brand. Under her leadership, the Mumbai-based firm’s operating revenue increased 24% to INR 6,385 crore, while net profit jumped 89% to INR 39 crore, in 2023-24. On top of that, she has also served on the boards of various companies, including Tata Motors Limited and Aviva Life Insurance Company India Limited. Presently, she serves as an independent director on the boards of various companies including, Kotak Securities Limited, ACC Limited and Dabur India Limited.
Mohit Burman
Chairman, Dabur India Limited
Mohit Burman is a prominent Indian business leader, best known for his role as Chairman of Dabur India Limited. The fifth-generation member of the Burman family has been a major force behind the family’s foray into several sunrise sectors. He led the family’s acquisition of majority stake in dry cell battery maker, Eveready Industries, and Punjab Tractors Limited, which was later sold off to M&M. Mohit Burman has been instrumental in driving Dabur’s growth and diversification efforts. With him at the helm, Dabur continued to expand its presence in the rural market, despite challenges such as high inflation and erratic weather patterns. Burman emphasised the importance of strengthening the company’s “power brands,” which account for a large portion of Dabur’s revenue. Notably, brands like Dabur Honey, Dabur Chyawanprash, and Réal Juices have continued to see strong performance under him. In 2024, Dabur also adapted to emerging market trends by increasing its focus on premium product categories and digital-first brands, which achieved significant growth in online sales. The company added two lakh new retail outlets in 2023-24, expanding its reach to nearly 80% of Indian households. Dabur is also tapping into fast-growing sales channels such as quick commerce, reflecting Burman’s forward-looking strategies. In addition to his role at Dabur, Burman is also a promoter of Eveready Industries and plays a key role in the family’s diversified investment strategy. The business leader was responsible for the recent Religare acquisition as well. Outside of work, he is a sports enthusiast, and also the promoter and co-owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team Punjab Kings.
Rajiv Bajaj
Managing Director, Bajaj Auto
Rajiv Bajaj heads Bajaj Auto, one of India’s leading two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers. Rajiv Bajaj earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Pune and later pursued a master’s degree in manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Warwick, UK. He then moved back to India and started off at the shop floor level at Bajaj Auto. After 15 years of navigating diverse roles, he climbed up the ranks to become the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto in April 2005, a position he continues to hold even today. He is credited with transforming the company from a scooter manufacturer to a global motorcycle powerhouse. Under his leadership, Bajaj Auto successfully launched the Pulsar brand, which became an iconic motorcycle in India, revolutionising the Indian motorcycle market by offering a stylish, performance-oriented option for younger riders. Rajiv- led Bajaj Auto’s revenue saw a significant rise in 2024, increasing by 23% compared to the previous year. The company clocked an all-time high revenue of INR 44,685 crore in FY2024. Be it taking his brand to new markets or making major acquisitions like that of Yulu, Bajaj continues to shape the future of Bajaj Auto with his strategic insights and innovative mindset.
Sudhir Sitapati
Managing Director & CEO, Godrej Consumer Products Limited
Sudhir Sitapati, the Managing Director and CEO of India’s leading FMCG company, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, is said to be advancing the legacy brand with remarkable grace. The IIM Ahmedabad graduate began his career at Hindustan Unilever, where he spent 22 years in various roles, markets, and brands. After his successful stint there, he moved to Godrej Consumer Products Limited in 2021. Under his leadership, GCPL saw an increase in their earnings, with them reporting a revenue of $1.7 billion for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Insiders note that he is actively working to guide his brand through the storm of uncertainties and challenges. At Godrej, Sitapati is trying to drive sustainable, long-term growth while deepening the company’s presence in emerging markets. He emphasises building consumer-centric brands, digital transformation, and improving operational efficiency. Sitapati is also the current Co-chair of the CII FMCG Committee, and the former Co-Chair of the CII National Committee of Food Processing. And how can we forget about his love for reading and writing, the business veteran is the author of the best-selling book ‘The CEO Factory: Management lessons from Hindustan Unilever’.
Aadit Palicha & Kaivalya Vohra
Co-Founders, Zepto
Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra are the dynamic Co-Founders of Zepto, a Mumbai-based quick commerce startup that pioneers 10-minute deliveries. The duo was pursuing computer science at Stanford University when they decided to drop out in 2020 to explore entrepreneurial opportunities. The duo initially launched KiranaKart, an early grocery delivery venture that struggled to find its footing. However, they quickly pivoted to Zepto in April 2021, which became an immediate success during the pandemic. Aadit Palicha had prior experience in launching startups such as GoPool and PryvaSee, while Kaivalya Vohra also shared the entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. It is quite amazing that Zepto raised $60 million from prominent investors like Y Combinator and Glade Brook Capital, just months after its launch. Under their leadership, Zepto is on a growth trajectory, with sales expected to exceed INR 5,000 crore in FY24, doubling from INR 2,500 crore in FY23. From increasing the offerings to holding festive sales to constantly captivating the audiences to the newly introduced Zepto Cafe, the brand is leaving no stone unturned to gain the market share. The duo will also be taking their brand to the listing process soon, aiming to continue the growth.
Kamesh Goyal
Founder & Chairman, Digit Insurance
Kamesh Goyal is the visionary founder and chairman of Digit Insurance, a company that is making waves in India’s general insurance sector. With over two decades of experience in the insurance and financial services industries, Goyal’s leadership has positioned Digit Insurance as a customer-focused, innovative insurer. Under his guidance, the company has leveraged technology to simplify complex insurance processes, from policy issuance to claims settlement, making it more accessible to a wider population. Prior to his current role, he worked with big names like Bajaj Allianz and KPMG. Goyal’s emphasis on transparency, ease of use, and customer-centric solutions has been integral to Digit’s rapid growth. Since its inception in 2017, Digit has gained widespread recognition for its user-friendly digital platform and fast claim processing, quickly climbing to become one of India’s leading insurtech companies. What is even more impressive is the fact that Goyal’s efforts and mindset has helped the brand achieve phenomenal growth. The insurtech brand’s revenue from operations grew 37.4% to INR 7,096 crore in FY24 from INR 5,164 crore in FY23. In terms of visibility, Goyal’s Digit Insurance is working hard to make the brand more visible, having undergone collaborations with icons like Virat Kohli.
Aman Gupta
Co-Founder & CMO, boAt Lifestyle
After working for big companies such as CitiBank and Harman, Aman Gupta went on to start Boat Lifestyle along with Sameer Mehta in 2016. There were several hurdles that came along the way, but Gupta’s Boat still managed to cross INR 100 crores in national sales within just two years of operations. The brand became the most-popular ear-wear brand in 2019, and continues to hold the top position; it is even playing in international markets now. After being profitable for years, the company was hit by losses in FY2022-23, but under Aman’s leadership, the consumer electronics company reportedly reduced its losses by 48% to INR 70.8 crore in the next fiscal. With Aman at the helm, Boat has also successfully made acquisitions like KaHa, a Singapore-based smart IoT product development company. Gupta, who accompanied PM Modi on a visit to France in July 2023, is a strong advocate for the Make-In-India motto. Additionally, the brand is also planning to get listed soon. Aman is not only a Chartered Accountant, but also a double MBA holder. Recently, Aman also came into the limelight for bagging the ‘Celebrity Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at the National Creators Award by PM Narendra Modi.
Peyush Bansal
Co-Founder & CEO, Lenskart.com
Peyush Bansal, a McGill University graduate, started his career at Microsoft. Today, he is one of the biggest names in the eyewear industry. In 2010 he co-founded Lenskart with Amit Chaudhary and Sumeet Kapahi, which is now valued at around $5 billion. Backed by SoftBank, KKR and Temasek, the Gurgaon-based firm more than doubled its FY23 revenue to over INR 3,500 crore and is reportedly continuing this growth trajectory under Bansal in FY24. They are now targeting to hit $1 billion in revenues in the near future. Bansal’s strategic vision extends beyond the Indian market, with Lenskart aiming to become a global leader in eyewear. Peyush-led Lenskart has also been focusing on expansion in high-margin overseas markets, in addition to the constant emphasis on technology and innovation. Under Peyush’s leadership, the eyewear brand has managed to acquire companies such as Tango Eye and Owndays. Furthermore, he is also actively working on the capacity and abilities of his manufacturing plants. Additionally, Peyush’s Lenskart now boasts 1500 omnichannel stores across 175 cities in India, Singapore, and Dubai.
C.K. Venkataraman
Managing Director, Titan Company
C.K. Venkataraman, Managing Director of Titan Company since 2019, has led the firm through pivotal years, particularly in 2023-2024, which saw significant growth and global expansion. In this period, the market cap of Titan Company crossed INR 3 trillion, reflecting a remarkable surge in profitability and investor confidence. A key focus for Venkataraman has been the international expansion of Titan’s flagship jewellery brand, Tanishq. Under him, the company also opened stores in markets like the UAE, USA, Singapore and UK, marking its foray into global retail. Venkataraman’s strategic vision has centred on leveraging digital innovation to enhance customer experience. Titan’s success in digital sales, video-assisted shopping, and personalised customer relationships helped the company achieve stellar post-pandemic growth. The company’s strong digital pivot during these years, particularly in jewellery, increased its reach globally. Additionally, under his leadership, achieved significant revenue growth, reporting domestic revenue of approximately INR 470 billion. Venkataraman’s focus on sustaining long-term shareholder value, while staying resilient amidst inflation and global economic uncertainty is a testament to his dynamic leadership and commitment to positioning Titan as a global leader.
Nitish Mittersain
CEO & Joint Managing Director, Nazara Technologies Limited
Nitish Mittersain is the driving force behind Nazara Technologies Limited, one of India’s pioneering gaming and sports media companies. As the CEO and Joint Managing Director, Nitish has played an integral role in shaping the gaming landscape in India, transforming Nazara into a global leader with a diverse portfolio of offerings, from mobile gaming to e-sports and interactive entertainment. Possessing a strong passion for technology and gaming from a young age, Nitish founded Nazara in the year 2000, at a time when the gaming industry in India was in its nascent stages. Under his leadership, Nazara has achieved significant milestones, including becoming the first Indian gaming company to go public. Mittersian-led Nazara Technologies, which has been on an acquisition spree over the last six months, has set an EBITDA target of INR 300 crore to be achieved by FY2027, up from an EBITDA of INR 129 crore in FY2024. This goes on to show the business leader’s intent to constantly improve. Nazara Technologies’ total revenue for the fiscal year 2024 was INR 1,218 crore, which is an increase from INR 1,140 crore in FY23.
