ADITYA BIRLA FASHION & RETAIL UNVEILS LEADERSHIP OVERHAUL TO DRIVE NEXT GROWTH PHASE

Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail has announced a sweeping leadership reshuffle, elevating Suraj Bahirwani as CEO (Designate) of Pantaloons and naming Marco Agnolin to lead OWND!. The transition includes phased retirements and appointments, signalling a strategic push to strengthen leadership and accelerate growth across brands.

Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail has set in motion a comprehensive leadership transition, announcing a series of senior appointments aimed at strengthening its executive bench and positioning the company for its next phase of expansion.

At the centre of the reshuffle is the elevation of Suraj Bahirwani as Chief Executive Officer (Designate) of Pantaloons. He will step into the role from April 1, 2026, before formally assuming full charge as CEO on October 1, 2026. His appointment marks a continuation of a long-standing association with the Aditya Birla Group, having joined as a Group Management Trainee in 2002.

With over two decades of experience spanning strategy, retail operations and both B2B and B2C segments across domestic and global markets, Bahirwani brings a wide-ranging perspective to the role. His career within the group includes key leadership stints at Aditya Birla Retail and as Chief Operating Officer of Pantaloons. Most recently, he led global sales for the conglomerate’s cellulosic fibres business, where he played a pivotal role in expanding international markets and strengthening value-added product portfolios. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and qualification as a Chartered Accountant, alongside multiple Chairman’s Awards recognising his contributions.

The transition will be carried out in a phased manner, with current Pantaloons CEO Sangeeta Tanwani continuing in her role until September 30, 2026. She will then move into an advisory position, supporting the Managing Director on strategic matters until her retirement on January 31, 2027, concluding a tenure that has overseen significant growth and consolidation within the brand.

In a parallel move, Marco Agnolin has been appointed CEO of OWND!, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin brings more than three decades of global retail experience, having held senior leadership roles at Inditex, where he contributed to the expansion of Zara in Italy, and previously served as CEO of Bershka and Diesel. He is widely recognised for his expertise in fast fashion, youth-focused retail and brand turnarounds.

The company has also named Nikhil Modha as Chief Financial Officer (Designate), effective April 1, 2026. He will take over as CFO and Key Managerial Personnel from January 1, 2027. Incumbent CFO Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a structured transition through the end of 2026 before retiring from his position.

These coordinated changes underscore Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail’s focus on continuity and renewal, blending experienced internal leadership with global expertise. As the company sharpens its competitive edge across formats and brands, the new leadership team is expected to steer innovation, deepen market reach and unlock the next wave of growth in an increasingly dynamic retail landscape.