Executive appointments and exits aren't just news items - they’re indicators of change. Whether it’s a global retailer, a tech platform, or a legacy FMCG giant - new leaders bring new priorities, fresh mandates, and often a willingness to question the status quo.
These changes matter - especially if you work in sales, consulting, partnerships, or strategy. New decision-makers often come in with the freedom (and urgency) to reset roadmaps, reallocate budgets, and invite new ideas. For external partners, that means a rare chance to get in early - before direction gets locked in.
Here are 10 new leadership transitions worth tracking - and what each could mean for their companies, teams, and potential collaborators.
1. Bata Group Appoints Panos Mytaros as CEO
Bata has appointed Panos Mytaros as its new CEO, effective September 15, 2025, succeeding Sandeep Kataria, who has led the company’s transformation since 2020.
What to Watch: Expect continued modernization of supply chains and retail footprints, possibly with a sharper global positioning. Mytaros could bring fresh thinking to product innovation and D2C (direct-to-consumer) expansion.
2. Renault CEO Luca de Meo Steps Down
In a surprise announcement, Luca de Meo will step down as CEO of Renault SA on July 15. The company has launched a global search for his successor, at a time when global trade tensions and Chinese EV competition are reshaping the auto industry.
What to Watch: The incoming CEO may pursue new EV alliances, restructure European operations, or rethink supply chain resilience strategies.
3. Sanchayeeta Verma Exits as CEO of Carat India
Sanchayeeta Verma has stepped down as CEO of Carat India, after helping lead the media agency through a critical transformation phase. Her exit marks a turning point as Carat looks to evolve under new leadership.
What to Watch: Shift in agency structure, possible new client strategies, and changes in partner/vendor priorities across media and adtech.
4. Jason Wilson Becomes CFO at Ahold Delhaize USA
Ahold Delhaize USA has appointed Jason Wilson as its new CFO. A company veteran since 2000, Wilson most recently served as SVP of Finance at Food Lion.
What to Watch: Financial discipline during inflationary pressures, fresh investment focus across grocery operations, and tech modernization in retail analytics.
5. Bajaj Consumer Names Naveen Pandey as Managing Director
Bajaj Consumer Care Ltd has appointed Naveen Pandey as its new Managing Director, succeeding Jaideep Nandi following the completion of his five-year term. Pandey’s appointment begins July 1, 2025, and spans a five-year term.
What to Watch: Strategic realignment of personal care portfolios, brand repositioning, and deeper digital-first retail strategies.
6. Gaurav Bhartia Named CFO of P&G Hygiene & Health Care
Gaurav Bhartia, a P&G veteran with global experience in Sales and Finance, has been promoted to CFO of Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, effective July 1, 2025.
What to Watch: Enhanced financial agility, stronger integration across South Asia operations, and renewed focus on digital revenue levers.
7. Artem Gonov Joins INFINOX as Chief Technology Officer
Retail FX and CFDs broker INFINOX has appointed Artem Gonov as CTO to lead its tech evolution and enhance trading platform performance. The move underscores a commitment to next-gen infrastructure.
What to Watch: API innovation, platform scalability, and tech partnerships in the retail trading ecosystem.
8. Wellbeing Nutrition Appoints Varun Kandhari as Chief Marketing & Growth Officer
Varun Kandhari joins Wellbeing Nutrition as Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, bolstering leadership at a time of rapid scale in the health and wellness sector.
What to Watch: Aggressive DTC growth, brand expansion, and cross-channel marketing innovation to strengthen category leadership.
9. Dentsu India Elevates Sujeet Behra to President of Carat + CSO of Dentsu Media
Sujeet Behra has been elevated to President, Carat and also named Chief Strategy Officer, Dentsu Media. He will drive strategic alignment across brands and media verticals.
What to Watch: Greater integration across planning, performance, and strategy teams; likely changes in media buying models and agency partner ecosystems.
10. Ilya Sutskever Takes Over as CEO of Safe Superintelligence
Ilya Sutskever has been named CEO of Safe Superintelligence, succeeding Daniel Gross. The move marks a new chapter for the AI research and safety-focused firm, with one of OpenAI’s co-founders at the helm.
What to Watch: Increased influence on AI safety standards, more open collaboration with the research community, and likely recalibration of the company’s commercial and ethical positioning.
What Should You Do Next?
Don’t just file these leadership changes under “corporate updates.” Treat them like they are: a tactical signal. Every new CEO, CFO, or CXO represents a reset moment - a time when the usual gates are down, and influence is more possible than ever.
This is when forward-looking GTM teams:
- Map new decision-maker dynamics
- Position their offering as part of the incoming leader’s strategy
- Move before competitors even realize something’s shifted
If you're not already tracking executive moves across your target accounts - you're reacting, not leading.