Sportswear giant Puma announced the appointment of Karthik Balagopalan as Managing Director of Puma India.
Karthik has been with the company since 2006 and will take over from Abhishek Ganguly, who has decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams after 17 years of service. Karthik will assume his new position on 1 August, while Ganguly will remain with the business until the end of August to ensure a smooth transition.
Karthik has a rich experience in retail and e-commerce, having led Puma’s global DTC business as the global director of retail and e-commerce.
He was also instrumental in driving the company’s India retail operations and business development in his previous roles. Karthik will be based in Bangalore and will report directly to Puma chief executive Arne Freundt.
Commenting on his new role, Karthik said, “India is a vibrant market, where Puma has been the no. 1 brand for many. I look forward to working with our amazing team and partners to continue delivering innovative products and experiences to our consumers.”
Freundt praised Ganguly for his energy and commitment over the past 17 years and wished him all the best for his future as an entrepreneur.
He also expressed confidence in Balagopalan’s leadership and vision for Puma India. “Karthik has been a key member of our global DTC team and has a deep understanding of the Indian market. I am sure he will take Puma India to new heights of success.”
Headquartered in Bengaluru, PUMA India boasts a rich cultural diversity and a heady mix of energy, enthusiasm, and fun. PUMA India has been recognized as one of the country’s “Great Workplaces” for four consecutive years running from February 2020 to November 2023.
It even secured a ranking twice in the Top 100 “Best Companies to Work For” from February 2020 to December 2021.
