Dr. A. K. Tyagi, also known as Ashok Kumar Tyagi, is the Executive Director of Haldiram Snacks Pvt. Ltd. and a veteran leader in India’s food and snack industry. He has been associated with the Haldiram Group since 2006, serving as Executive President before taking on the role of Executive Director in March 2014. In this capacity, he has been responsible for a broad spectrum of the business, including production, sales and marketing, R&D, product innovation, finance, diversification and expansion.
Dr. Tyagi began his career in 1984 with Wimpy International, a division of United Biscuits, and subsequently spent more than a decade with Uncle Chipps Company, where he held senior positions including CEO and President. In 2000, he joined Amrit Banaspati Company as CEO before moving to Haldiram.
At Haldiram, Dr. Tyagi has played a significant role in shaping the company’s growth strategy, overseeing greenfield projects, expanding the distribution network and driving product innovation. His leadership has helped strengthen Haldiram’s position in India’s highly competitive snacks and packaged-food market.
A strong advocate of consumer-centric innovation, food safety and quality, Tyagi has emphasised the importance of understanding changing consumer preferences while maintaining affordability. He has also spoken extensively on food processing, innovation and the future of India’s food industry.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Tyagi has received several industry honours, including the Food Industry Icon Award, Lifetime Achievement Award at the India Food Forum, Business Leader of the Year by ET NOW, and CEO – Food Company of the Year at the India Food Safety Summit & Awards.