Bhuman Dani is a serial entrepreneur and the visionary founder of WickedGud, a CPG brand on a mission to un-junk India, one kitchen at a time. They’re solving the nutrition problem in every household by disrupting the pasta, noodles and chips categories, promising Wicked Taste and Güd Ingredients, thereby establishing a win-win situation at home between kids and mothers.
Before founding WickedGud, Bhuman co-founded successful D2C brand, TGL Co., which he exited to Ness Wadia from the Wadia Group. His professional journey includes rich management consulting experience with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in its London office, where he was involved in its consumer goods practice.
A mechanical engineer from BITS-Pilani, Dubai and an MBA from INSEAD, Bhuman has been featured in Entrepreneur India's 35 Under 35 list. A proud Indian, Bhuman Dani continues to innovate and lead in the consumer goods space, driven by his passion for creating impactful and meaningful brands.
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhuman-dani/?originalSubdomain=in
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bhumandani/?hl=en
Yash Agarwal is an Executive Director of Ratnadeep Retail and the Founder and brains behind National Mart(India Ka Supermarket). Yash joined the board of Ratnadeep in April 2019 with his first task being the rebranding of the then 30- year-old organization and giving it a bold new look! Mr Agarwal is driven by his own vision of making quality groceries and essentials, affordable and accessible to the whole of India! He is very committed to this vision and makes sure that any steps he takes for both Ratnadeep and National Mart are in line with the goals of the organization. His leadership and strategic planning has been instrumental in the exponential growth that Ratnadeep has experienced since the time he joined the organization. With a far-sighted vision and the skills to turn his vision into reality, it's evident that Yash Agarwal will take both Ratnadeep and National Mart to new heights!
“Dr. A.K. Tyagi is heading Haldiram Group of Companies as Executive Director since March 2014 and as Executive President since July 2006. He is responsible for all matters of the Company including Production, Sales & Marketing, R&D, Product Innovation, Finance, Diversification, and expansion. He has directed the company's global strategy for more than a decade and helped the Group to increase its market share through expansion / putting various green field projects, development of new innovative products and expanding network. Under Dr. Tyagi’s leadership, the Company has grown 30 times over the past 17 years and established itself as a market leader in Salty Snacks with 46% market share and in Traditional Snacks with 60% Market Share and a leading brand within FMCG Sector inspite of stiff competition from Multinational and Indian Companies.
He started his career in 1984 with Multinational Company Wimpy International (A Div. of United Biscuit Empire, UK). Later, he was associated with Uncle Chipps Company Ltd from 1988 to 2000 in different capacities including CEO and President of the Company. In the year 2000, Dr. Tyagi joined Amrit Banaspati Company Ltd. as CEO. Dr. Tyagi has received various Awards on behalf of the Company as well as at individual capacity in Uncle Chipps and Haldiram. Recently, he has received Food Industry Icon Award, Lifetime Achievement Award in India Food Forum, Business Leader of the Year Award from ET NOW and CEO – Food Company of the Year Award from India Food Safety Summit & Awards by Synnex Group etc. Dr. Tyagi’s Interview was published in prestigious “The CEO Magazine” of Singapore multiple times viz. in May 2019, January 2022, and June 2023 (Editorial).
K Radhakrishnan (‘Radha’), CEO, Starquik, has been a corporate citizen for four decades, of which for 25 years he has been a Grocery Retailer.He began his career as a tea taster, a tea retailer, an aquaculture farmer, and the one who started the now famous CupNoodles and TopRamen in India. He was part of the team that launched the first grocery modern trade store in the form of Foodworld Supermarkets in 1996 in Chennai, and has mentored several young people who are today all over the world and owe their deep understanding of retailing templates for grocery to him. He was also the first CEO of Reliance Retail Start-Up and launched the Fresh and Hyper Format in Hyderabad 2006, being involved from day one to taking it to over 1000 stores. Radha is a postgrad in mathematical economics, a Trustee in Sankalp Special school for Autistic and Learning disabled children for the last 20 years, has been a Karate National Champion, and a State level Hockey player.
He is a well know leader in the FMCG Food & Beverage industry with expertise across a spectrum of areas, roles and brands. He is a regular in the industry meets as well as a speaker in expert panels across the spectrum of food and consumer start-ups in India and abroad.
He is presently the CEO of WoW Sales Pvt Limited, Makers of WoW Momo brand which has FMCG and QSR verticals. WoW Momos, wow China , wow chicken and wow kulfi are the brands that belong to the group.
He is regarded among the top FMCG start up leaders who has built companies like ID Foods, Sumeru and now WoW FMCG business. He has worked with top MNC and Indian brands like Nestle, Britannia, UB Spirits , ID foods and Sumeru in leadership roles.
Mithun has published several articles and insights in top publications like entrepreneur Asia , F&b insights , Middle east journals , CEO insights , Economic times etc. He has also been featured on CNBC, CNN IBN , yourstory.com and several podcasts and features. He has also won awards like topper in marketing awards at IFIM business school, Sales awards in Nestle, Innovation award at UB group, CEO /MD award at Britannia, Emerging leader award, top 50 leaders, ASL Luminaire award as the Game changer CEO -2024 awards to name a few.
Mithun is also in the international panel of judges for the Gama innovation awards for the last 5 years which is held in Manchester UK every year on branding, packaging, positioning and products across the globe.
He has been in the boards of companies and an advisor to consumer brand start-ups. Today he wears the hat of an angle investor with Mumbai angel network as well a few other.
Mithun in most of his roles has displayed an ability to turnaround and rapidly accelerate business coupled by optimising process and systems thereby extracting positives across the value chain. He has been instrumental in creating innovative business ideas, building sharp strategies , new investment opportunities entering into new categories and execution specializations in various roles that he has handled.
He has managed various businesses from start-ups to large firms driving positive change and growth. He is also a mentor to budding business management professionals as well as a key influencer to various emerging start-ups. He was also an advisory member to start ups at the Wadhwani foundation and part of the board of studies panel for IFIM business school. Possess strong investor relations as well as industry connects.
Sameer holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and is a serial entrepreneur with profitable ventures in multiple geographies in the US, Central Asia & India in diverse businesses such as commodities trading, oil & gas service & real estate.
Dr. Nitin Nagrale has over 30 years of experience in the Indian Hospitality Industry, managing supply chain procedures. He has received multiple prestigious awards for his contributions to hospitality standards. He is the first global recipient of the Certified Hotel Purchase Manager (CHPM) certification from AHLEI and has authored numerous articles on materials and supply chain management.
In 2010, Nitin founded the Hospitality Purchasing Managers’ Forum (HPMF), India’s first platform for hospitality procurement professionals, now with over 6,000 members across several countries. He also established the LinkedIn group “Materials Management,” with over 48,000 global members.
Nitin is actively involved with FSSAI as a FOSTAC Trainer and Advisor, and was recently appointed National President – Policy Development and Research Cell by the Human Rights & Social Justice Committee, New Delhi. In October 2019, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Supply Chain Management from National American University.
Chef Suresh Shetty’s illustrious career spans over four decades, during which he has honed his craft in some of India’s most prestigious five-star hotels, international cruise lines, and flight catering operations. His journey culminated with his current role as the Executive Chef at the renowned Mumbai Cricket Association, where he spearheaded the launch of the esteemed ‘MCA’s very own Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana.’ Prior to his tenure at MCA, Chef Shetty’s experience includes leading four pre-opening teams of major hospitality ventures, such as:
• The Regent Mumbai (now Taj Land’s End) – Pre-opening
• Grand Hyatt Mumbai – Pre-opening
• Four Points by Sheraton (Starwood Hotels and Resorts) – Pre-opening
• Saudi Catering, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• Carnival Cruise Lines Inc., USA
• Ramee Group of Hotels
• The Ambassador Group of Hotels (Ambassador Sky Chef, Mumbai & Delhi)
Beyond these significant contributions, Chef Shetty has had the privilege of catering to an elite clientele, including prominent figures from Hollywood and Indian Film Industry, business magnates, world class athletes, entrepreneurs, and even royal dignitaries.
As a culinary virtuoso, Chef Shetty is more of a guiding force than a physical presence in MCA’s kitchens, overseeing nine diverse F&B outlets and orchestrating seamless banquet operations for up to 1,700 guests. Under his expert leadership, a team of talented chefs brings to life an array of fascinating global cuisines, incorporating locally sourced ingredients and modernist cooking techniques. Every dish, though seemingly simple on the plate, is a masterful creation, showcasing the precision and craftsmanship of contemporary gastronomy, meticulously executed by his team across four kitchens.
Chef Shetty’s repertoire extends far beyond the kitchen; he is a consummate hotelier, known for his exceptional culinary artistry. His skills in ice carving, fruit and vegetable carving, and elaborate buffet displays are legendary, alongside his expertise in preparing exquisite pre-plated hors d’oeuvres in both hot and cold western cuisine. His ability to blend artistry with culinary precision has earned him a distinguished reputation within the hospitality industry.
A charismatic leader, Chef Shetty is revered for his dynamic nature and his fervent commitment to culinary education. His approachable demeanour and wealth of experience have made him a popular figure among hotel and catering professionals. He frequently participates in culinary events as a judge, imparting his extensive knowledge and experience to aspiring chefs and students from culinary institutes.
It would be fitting to regard Chef Shetty as a celebrity chef, as he has appeared on the OTT food show “Khane Ke Deewane” on the Gemplex platform, further cementing his status within the gastronomic community. He is also highly active on social media, where he shares his culinary insights and engages with a wider audience through Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
A family-oriented man, Chef Shetty relishes the time he spends in the kitchen with his exceptional team, continuously crafting innovative seasonal dishes and designing new menus. He is also actively involved in conducting weekly training workshops for cooking enthusiasts, passing on his passion for culinary excellence. Outside the kitchen, Chef Shetty enjoys quality time with his family, often introducing new culinary experiences to his wife Rashmi. He balances his life with fitness routines at the gym, a love for golden classic music, indulging in culinary literature, watching superhero and sci-fi movies, and following his favourite sport, cricket, with his son Sahas.
Harshad Joshi has over 30 plus years of experience in rural & retail operations. Harshad started his career with Amul and spent 17 years in Rural distribution. He was part of the initial 5 member team of Walmart that started up operations in India and spent 8yrs in Walmart’s India Headquarters. More recently he was CEO of Maahi Milk, COO of Parag Milk Foods & was instrumental in turning around Metro Cash & Carry’s Western region as its Regional Head. He has an MBA from IRMA & an alumnus of ISB & Walton Institute in the USA.
