Apollo Tyres has roped in R Mahalakshmi as its new chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective immediately. In the new role, Mahalakshmi will shape and drive the company’s global people strategy in alignment with its growth ambitions.
Mahalakshmi will be based out of Apollo Tyres’ head office in Gurugram, India and report to Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and MD.
She will spearhead initiatives to maximise organisational effectiveness, refresh and evolve people policies, and strengthen the company’s people-first agile growth culture. She will also be a key member of Apollo Tyres’ Global Executive Committee (ExCom).
With nearly three decades of rich experience across India, Africa, the UK and Southeast Asia, Mahalakshmi is backed by a track record of leading transformative people strategies in complex, multicultural environments.
Prior to this, Mahalakshmi was associated with Mondelez International as head of HR for Southeast Asia. She joined the company in 2015 as its head-HR for India.
She has also held senior HR leadership roles at Big 5 consulting firms and leadership roles across telecom, pharma and FMCG MNCs, where she led major cultural transformation, leadership development and workforce strategies. Her professional experience includes some exceptional stints with companies such as Ballarpur Industries, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Airtel.
Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres believes, “Mahalakshmi’s global perspective, deep HR expertise, and people-centric approach will be instrumental in unlocking our next phase of growth. We look forward to her cultivating top talent, enhancing the company’s employer brand, and deepenung employee engagement across geographies.”
R Mahalakshmi herself is “thrilled to join Apollo Tyres at such an exciting time in its journey” and is drawn by the organisation’s “strong purpose, dynamic culture and bold growth agenda.” She looks forward to “partnering with our global teams to further strengthen our people strategy, foster a truly inclusive and high-performing culture, and make Apollo Tyres an even more exceptional place to work.”
