Asha Kharga

Background

About Asha Kharga

I am responsible for stewarding the Corporate Brand and building organization capability to repivot brands on customer experience, in a rapidly evolving economic and social marketplace. I believe in driving change at scale, and my purpose is to lead the transformation of Mahindra into a future-fit, purpose-led organization at the leading edge of customer experience. I am on the Group Executive Board and my larger mandate includes Corporate Communications, the Strategic Digital Intelligence Cell and Mahindra Racing. I am also responsible for Mahindra’s Customer Data Platform – the largest repository of the entire Groups’ customer data that offers cutting-edge customer analytics to drive business impact for Group Companies. I also serve on the Boards of several Mahindra Companies. I have 25 years of rich experience that spans FMCG, financial services and advertising. I joined the Mahindra Group from Axis Bank where I was the Executive Vice-President and Group Chief Marketing Officer for the Bank and its subsidiaries. Before Axis Bank, I was with Unilever in a variety of brand and marketing roles. I have built trusted brands that include new category adoption as well as driven exponential growth on large brands. I led the consumer & customer centricity agenda at HUL and launched Unilever’s sustainability living plan in India. My last role in Hindustan Unilever Ltd. was as Marketing Director of the 600 mln euros (2016 figures) tea business for South Asia. I spent the first decade of my career with leading advertising agencies that include Leo Burnett, J Walter Thompson and TBWA, and worked on brands like Lux, Close-Up, Tide, Mattel Toys, Nivea, Samsonite, Sony Entertainment Television, Frooti, and Swissair amongst a host of others. There are two personal beliefs that make me the person I am. First, I believe that solidarity between women can be a potentially transforming force and hence helping young women leaders reach their true potential is a personal motivation. Secondly, I believe that great brands can spark conversations and advocate for change. Brands can be a source for growth as well as a force for good. That’s what makes me get out of bed every morning.