RICHA DHOLI TAKES CHARGE AS KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK’S HEAD OF MARKETING FOR CREDIT CARDS

Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Richa Dholi as head of marketing for its credit cards business. Dholi brings extensive experience across banking, healthcare technology and advertising, having previously held senior marketing roles at Qure.ai and HDFC Bank, where she led several prominent digital and brand initiatives.

Kotak Mahindra Bank has strengthened its marketing leadership with the appointment of Richa Dholi as head of marketing for its credit cards business, bringing on board a seasoned marketer with experience spanning banking, technology, digital platforms and advertising.

Dholi joins the private-sector lender after serving as global marketing director at Qure.ai, the healthcare artificial intelligence company known for its work in medical imaging and diagnostic solutions. Her move marks a return to the banking sector, where she has previously played a significant role in building brand narratives and digital engagement initiatives.

Among her most notable assignments was her tenure at HDFC Bank, where she served as head of social media and new age content. In that role, she was involved in driving a number of high-visibility campaigns and initiatives, including Vigil Aunty, the digital awareness-led property known for its consumer education approach. She also worked on PayZapp, the bank’s digital payments platform, and Pixel, helping shape communication strategies aimed at digitally savvy consumers.

Her appointment comes at a time when competition in the credit card segment is intensifying, with lenders focusing on customer acquisition, rewards ecosystems and digital engagement to strengthen market share. Against this backdrop, marketers with expertise in content, customer engagement and digital-first storytelling are becoming increasingly valuable to financial services brands.

Over the course of her career, Dholi has built a diverse professional portfolio across both client-side and agency roles. Before her stint at Qure.ai, she held positions at several well-known organisations, giving her exposure to a wide range of industries and marketing disciplines.

Her experience includes working with Wunderman Thompson South Asia, where she was associated with integrated marketing and creative strategy. She also spent time at Koo India, one of the country’s social media platforms, adding to her understanding of digital communities and emerging consumer behaviour trends.

Earlier in her career, Dholi held roles at leading advertising and consulting firms including Ogilvy, Capgemini, Lowe Lintas and Partners, and McCann Worldgroup. These assignments enabled her to develop expertise across brand building, communications strategy, content marketing and customer engagement, skills that are increasingly important in a fast-evolving financial services landscape.

Industry observers note that marketing leadership in banking has shifted considerably in recent years, with a greater emphasis on personalisation, digital experiences and data-led campaigns. Professionals who have worked across multiple sectors often bring a broader perspective to customer acquisition and retention strategies, particularly in highly competitive categories such as credit cards.

At Kotak Mahindra Bank, Dholi is expected to oversee marketing initiatives for the credit cards portfolio, drawing on her experience across banking, fintech, technology and advertising. Her appointment underscores the bank’s continued focus on strengthening its consumer-facing businesses through specialised marketing leadership and deeper customer engagement strategies.

With a career that bridges traditional advertising, digital innovation and financial services, Dholi’s latest move adds another chapter to a journey defined by cross-industry expertise and a strong track record in modern marketing.