Bata India has announced the appointment of Sanjay Rao as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Rao takes the helm from Gunjan Shah, who concludes his five-year tenure leading the prominent footwear company.
A Leader with Global Retail Expertise
Sanjay Rao brings a wealth of experience to Bata India, spanning more than two decades in retail and consumer businesses across India, South Asia, China, and Europe. His extensive background includes strategic roles at some of the world's most recognizable brands.
- Nike: Most recently, Rao served as Senior Director for Nike Retail, overseeing operations across France and the Benelux markets.
- Zara (Inditex): Prior to Nike, he was instrumental in establishing Zara's business presence in India through a joint venture with the Tata Group.
- Guess: Rao also held the position of Country Director for Guess in France.
He holds an MBA from INSEAD, further solidifying his strategic business acumen.
Vision for Bata India's Growth
Panos Mytaros, Bata Group CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of the Indian market. "India is one of Bata Group's most important markets and one of our biggest long-term growth opportunities. Bata India has a powerful brand, deep consumer trust, strong foundations, and significant room to grow," Mytaros stated. He expressed confidence that Rao is the right leader to guide Bata India into its next phase of accelerated growth, focusing on consumer proximity, relevance, and responsiveness to trends.
Acknowledgements for Outgoing CEO Gunjan Shah
Both Bata Group CEO Panos Mytaros and Bata India Chairman Ashwani Windlass extended their gratitude to Gunjan Shah for his contributions during his five-year term. Windlass commented, "During his tenure, he strengthened the business, elevated the consumer experience, drove innovation and built a strong leadership team."
Welcoming Rao, Windlass added, "His versatile background, proven track record, and deep understanding of consumer and retail markets make him well-suited to lead the company into its next phase of growth, with a strong focus on consumer relevance, product strength, and long-term value creation."
Further details regarding the leadership transition will be disclosed in accordance with regulatory requirements.