Arun Rajan, who was head-HR, Pantaloons, Style Up & Marigold Lane since 2023, has now taken on the role of group chief human resources, Blue Star.
Backed by over two decades of experience, Rajan, an alumnus of Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, began his professional journey with Bennett Coleman and Co. as management trainee in July, 2003.
A year later, Rajan joined Tata AIA Life Insurance, as talent acquisition specialist, in 2004. Just over a year into this role, he was elevated to HR business partner-southern region. He moved to Bengaluru from Mumbai for the next two years and nine months. After another elevation in 2008, he was back in Mumbai as head of performance management, rewards and recognition. His tenure at Tata AIA Life Insurance lasted almost seven years.
July of 2011 saw Arun Rajan moving to Vodafone, as HR business partner-Vodafone Business Services. Less than three years into this role, he was promoted to the position of regional head of organisation effectiveness and change, AMAP markets. Till October of 2016, he worked out of London, guiding and supporting leadership teams across Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific, on operating models, organisation structures, job architecture and people cost management.
In November, 2016 he was back in Mumbai, promoted to the role of senior vice president, HR-consumer business and national operations, employee relations.
From September 2019 to August 2023, Rajan served Vodafone Idea as executive vice president, HR- consumer and enterprise businesses, employee relations.
It was in August 2023 that his association with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail began, as head, HR-Pantaloons, Style Up and Marigold Lane.
Known for his ability to bring nuanced perspectives to discussions and collaborate with an eclectic mix of stakeholders, Arun Rajan is sure to be an asset to Blue Star, where he will take over CHRO responsibilities from VS Ashok, the present EVP and CHRO, who has now been redesignated as executive vice president, customer experience and ESG.
VS Ashok has been with Blue Star since 1992. He began as a humble marketing engineer with the multinational home appliances firm, in 1992 before being promoted to branch service manager four and a half years later. Three promotions later, he became area customer service manager, in 2003. Five years into this role came another promotion followed by promotions every three years till he became vice president customer service in 2014. By 2019 he had become executive vice president and chief human resources officer.
HRKatha wishes Rajan and Ashok all the best!
