SHONALI CHAKRAVARTY TO LEAD COMMUNICATIONS AT UNITED BREWERIES

United Breweries, part of The HEINEKEN Company, has appointed Shonali Chakravarty to head communications, sustainability and CSR in India. Chakravarty, who previously led enterprise technology communications across Asia Pacific at Lenovo, brings extensive experience from roles at Uber, OYO, Essar, Edelman and Marsh.

United Breweries Limited (UBL), a subsidiary of The HEINEKEN Company, has announced the appointment of Shonali Chakravarty to lead its communications, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) functions in India. The move marks a significant career transition for Chakravarty, who has spent much of her professional journey in the technology and services sectors, most recently at Lenovo.

Chakravarty shared the news in a LinkedIn post, reflecting on her six-year tenure at Lenovo where she served as APAC Enterprise Tech Communications Lead for the Infrastructure Solutions Group and Solutions and Services Group. “After six years at Lenovo, where I had the privilege of leading Enterprise Communications across Asia Pacific, I’m excited to share that I’ve joined United Breweries (UBL), a The HEINEKEN Company, to lead Communications, Sustainability and CSR for the business in India,” she wrote. She added that moving into a completely different industry was precisely what made the opportunity so exciting.

Her career spans diverse sectors and complex mandates, often at the intersection of growth, technology, regulation, public policy and reputation. Prior to Lenovo, Chakravarty was Director – Corporate Communications at OYO, where she managed communications during a period of rapid expansion. At Uber, she held roles across corporate and policy communications, navigating the challenges of regulatory scrutiny and public perception. Earlier, at Essar, she led strategic and digital communications for Essar Oil and Essar Power, strengthening corporate reputation in the energy sector.

Chakravarty began her career at Edelman as a senior account executive, gaining foundational experience in public relations and stakeholder engagement. She also worked with Marsh, further broadening her expertise in corporate communications. Across these roles, she has built a reputation for managing complex narratives, handling crises, and driving integrated communications strategies that align with business objectives.

At United Breweries, Chakravarty’s remit will extend beyond traditional communications to encompass sustainability and CSR, reflecting the company’s broader commitment to responsible business practices and stakeholder engagement. Her appointment underscores UBL’s focus on strengthening its corporate reputation and aligning its communications strategy with global standards set by The HEINEKEN Company.

With her track record of navigating industries as varied as technology, hospitality, mobility and energy, Chakravarty is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the brewing sector. Her ability to manage multifaceted communications challenges and foster stakeholder trust positions her well to lead UBL’s integrated communications and sustainability agenda in India.