GroupM names Gaurav Hirey chief talent officer, South Asia

GroupM has announced the appointment of Gaurav Hirey as chief talent officer (CTO) for South Asia. Gaurav has been a part of GroupM since 2008 and is currently regional HR director, Apac, based in Singapore.

In the expanded role as CTO, South Asia, Hirey will be responsible for driving the agenda on people, culture and values at GroupM, covering employee acquisition, training, development, retention and growth for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, informed a GroupM statement. He will continue to work with GroupM Apac regional talent team.

Based in Mumbai from 1 January 2014, he will join the South Asia executive committee, and report to CVL Srinivas, CEO, GroupM South Asia and Angela Ryan, global CTO, GroupM.

On the appointment, Srinivas said, "GroupM has always placed a lot of emphasis on talent and over the years we have built a strong talent team. As we move to the next stage of the ‘people transformation’ journey, I am pleased to welcome Gaurav Hirey back as our CTO - South Asia. Gaurav has a successful track record of making things happen and is the best person to lead our people agenda. We look forward to having him back with us."

Hirey added, "India and South Asian markets are exciting markets. We have been able to innovate and raise the bar year after year. Mumbai is home ground and so always a pleasure to be back! I am very excited about the new leadership and the new vision at GroupM South Asia and look forward to leveraging the last two years of my international exposure and the network to help and impact business results.”

Gaurav Hirey joined GroupM in 2008 in Mumbai and is credited with building the HR function in India. He moved to the regional role in January 2012.

Sonali Vaidya, who joined GroupM India as head of human resources in January 2012, has exited the agency.

Also read: GroupM appoints Sonali Vaidya to head HR, Gaurav Hirey moves to Singapore