A seasoned technology leader, the CTO at Chaayos brings over 18 years of experience in building scalable, high-performance systems that drive business growth. With deep expertise in backend technologies, he has successfully architected and delivered large-scale applications, including ad networks, ERP systems, and data warehouses tailored for the food and beverage industry. Proficient in Java, Python, and databases such as MySQL, Sybase IQ, and MongoDB, he excels at translating complex business requirements into efficient, practical solutions.

Known for his collaborative approach, he works closely with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and innovation. Passionate about emerging technologies, he continuously evolves his skillset to stay ahead in a rapidly changing digital landscape. His work reflects a strong commitment to creating seamless, user-centric experiences across web and mobile platforms.

Varun Bansal is the Head – Information & Technology at Bata India, where he leads the company’s technology strategy and enterprise-wide digital transformation. With nearly two decades of experience across retail, consumer durables and healthcare, Varun has built a strong track record of driving technology-led change that delivers measurable business impact. An MBA from IIM Lucknow, Varun brings a global perspective combined with a strong understanding of local market dynamics and is passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and operational excellence.

With over 17 years of experience, he is a seasoned IT leader known for driving large-scale digital transformation across the manufacturing, retail, and enterprise sectors. Currently serving as the IT Head at Siyaram Silk Mills Ltd., he plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s IT strategy, governance frameworks, and long-term technology roadmap.

He brings a strong track record in delivering impactful initiatives across cloud transformation, ERP implementation, robotic process automation (RPA), and data-driven decision-making, enabling enhanced operational efficiency and business agility. Prior to this, he held key leadership roles at prominent organizations including JK Lakshmi Cement and Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail, where he spearheaded IT modernization, network transformation, and enterprise-wide system integration projects.

Known for aligning technology with business objectives, he specializes in building scalable digital platforms and fostering innovation-led growth through automation, advanced analytics, and robust cybersecurity practices.

With over 25 years of experience in technology leadership, Pooran Jaiswal has spearheaded digital transformation initiatives across pharma, retail, finance, media, manufacturing, transportation, and education. His expertise lies in building scalable technology ecosystems spanning enterprise applications, omnichannel platforms, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and automation to address complex business challenges and drive measurable growth.

He has delivered end-to-end solutions across desktop, web, and mobile environments, and managed mission-critical infrastructure supporting high-traffic retail operations. His work includes modernising legacy systems, enhancing operational efficiency through automation, strengthening security and compliance, and enabling data-driven decision-making.

Having served in CIO, CTO, and CISO roles, he focuses on aligning technology strategy with business outcomes, driving innovation that improves workforce productivity and elevates customer experience. Pooran Jaiswal is passionate about shaping the future of technology-led retail in India through cloud adoption, AI-driven insights, cybersecurity maturity, and seamless omnichannel integration.

Anil Menon is a results-driven Chief Information Officer with over 20 years of experience leveraging technology to drive business growth and innovation across IT, retail, e-commerce, real estate, logistics, and hospitality sectors. He has a strong track record of leading large IT functions, executing digital transformation programs, and maximising ROI through strategic use of technology.

Currently serving as CIO at Lulu Group India, he brings deep expertise from prior leadership roles, including General Manager – IT Innovation at Tata Starbucks and Head of IT at Trent Hypermarket Pvt. Ltd., where he led initiatives in cloud and mobility platforms, retail analytics, enterprise systems, and information security.

Earlier, he worked as a Solution Architect at Cybage Software and held key roles at Future Group, Wadhwan Retail, and Zensar Technologies. He believes in empowering through technology, inspiring through innovation, and leading with purpose

Kunal Sammi is a seasoned Digital Business Head with close to 18 years of experience spanning both offline and online retail. Having started his journey as a management trainee with Max Fashion India, he has grown alongside the organization, playing a pivotal role in building and scaling its digital business from the ground up. Kunal has been instrumental in shaping Max Fashion India’s omnichannel strategy, bringing a strong blend of operational expertise and digital acumen. His experience spans retail operations, franchisee management, buying and merchandising, category management, supply chain operations, digital marketing, and end-to-end P&L ownership. Known for his collaborative and adaptive leadership style, Kunal excels at driving cross-functional alignment and navigating dynamic business environments. He combines strategic thinking with a sharp execution focus, enabling sustainable growth and enhanced customer experiences across channels. Passionate about innovation and data-driven decision-making, Kunal continues to focus on building scalable, future-ready retail ecosystems in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Kunal Mehta is a digital transformation leader and technology evangelist with over 25 years of experience across global consumer, retail, manufacturing, and technology organizations. He has a strong track record of driving innovation-led digital strategies that enable business growth and future readiness. His expertise spans enterprise systems, retail strategy, business analytics, CRM, and large-scale IT operations.

Kunal has worked with leading organizations such as TCS, Tesco, Raymond, and Fabindia, where he has led strategic IT initiatives, built analytics and retail consulting practices, and delivered high-impact transformation programs. As a former CIO, he has managed end-to-end IT functions including budgeting, infrastructure, vendor management, and risk mitigation.

Passionate about innovation and startups, he actively collaborates with corporates and industry bodies like NASSCOM and RAI. A recognized thought leader and speaker, Kunal frequently shares insights on digital, cloud, AI, and omnichannel transformation.

Kiran Komatla, currently serving as the Group CTO at Restaurant Brands Asia, is a distinguished technology professional with over two decades of experience spanning various domains. Mr. Komatla’s impressive list of accolades includes the Retail Icon Award 2025, multiple Best CIO of the Year titles, and IT Genius Awards for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence. With a background in QSR, Retail Business, Information Technology, and Digital Technologies, Mr. Komatla possesses extensive expertise in areas such as customer experience innovations, digital transformation, business intelligence, and supply chain management. His career is defined by successful project management, team leadership, and the ability to engage stakeholders in leveraging technology for sustainable business growth and achieving organizational KPIs.

A seasoned technology and business leader with over 20 years of experience, he specializes in driving large-scale business transformation through digital innovation. Currently associated with Forever New, a Melbourne-based global women’s fashion brand, he focuses on leveraging technology to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and enable scalable business models.

He has led several industry-first initiatives in the retail sector and brings extensive cross-industry experience spanning Retail, QSR, FMCG, and hospitality. His core expertise includes IT and business strategy, policy formulation, process design, and technology-led transformation.

Recognized for his impact, he has received prestigious accolades including the ‘Tech Icon of the Year’ award for two consecutive years, and has been featured in leading fashion and technology publications. He is also an expert-level ITIL Certified Practitioner and a Microsoft Certified Professional.

Vikash Kumar, CIO, Baazar Style Retail Limited, is a seasoned Retail IT leader with 20+ years of experience across IT operations, vendor management, and large-scale retail technology ecosystems. His expertise spans POS, Cx Technologies, Supply chain Automations, E-commerce, inventory systems, RFID and Complex IT infrastructure, with a strong track record of delivering business-led technology solutions. Kumar is well known for data-driven decision-making, strategic execution, and building high-performing teams.

A seasoned digital transformation leader, he brings extensive experience in driving large-scale technology-led initiatives across India’s leading retail groups and global organizations. With deep expertise spanning retail, eCommerce, and supply chain domains, he has successfully led omnichannel strategies, fulfilment automation, and enterprise-wide transformation programs.

He is known for combining strategic vision with execution excellence, enabling organizations to scale efficiently while enhancing customer experience. His strengths include change management, business process optimization, and leveraging data-driven investments to deliver measurable outcomes. He has also led global outsourcing initiatives, managing complex vendor ecosystems across the US and India.

A strong advocate of team building and operational simplicity, he has worked across industries including retail, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, home-building, and aviation. Beyond his professional work, he is an active speaker, sustainability advocate, and member of multiple global associations.

Rajesh Verma is a seasoned CIO and Head of IT with over 22 years of experience driving digital transformation across diverse retail sectors. Known for identifying operational gaps, he has successfully implemented cutting-edge solutions across industries ranging from quick-service restaurants to fashion brands. His expertise spans AI/ML, IoT, and cloud computing, enabling seamless and enhanced customer experiences across in-store, online, and internal platforms.

Rajesh has consistently delivered measurable impact through strategic technology initiatives. He has led the deployment of AI-powered applications, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and large-scale infrastructure modernization. These initiatives have significantly improved customer engagement, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.

Currently serving as CTO, CIO, and Digital Head at Indian Terrain Fashions Ltd. and Celebrity Fashions Ltd., he continues to lead innovation at the intersection of retail and manufacturing. With a strong focus on automation and process excellence, Rajesh plays a key role in driving sustainable growth. His guiding mantra—“Empower, Enhance, Engage”—reflects his commitment to building future-ready organizations.

Suyash Motarwar is a seasoned technology and product leader with over two decades of experience building scalable digital ecosystems. As Co-Founder & CTPO at QWEEN, he is pioneering the intersection of luxury, retail, and AI-driven commerce. His work focuses on reimagining how modern consumers discover and experience jewellery through immersive, tech-enabled journeys that combine design, data, and storytelling. At QWEEN, Suyash is building a new-age jewellery brand that challenges the conventions of traditional retail. Instead of transactional, high-pressure environments, QWEEN is designed to be experiential and invitational where customers explore, engage, and discover at their own pace. By integrating AI-led personalisation, digitally augmented retail spaces, and a vertically integrated supply chain, he is transforming jewellery buying into a deeply personal and intuitive experience. His approach blends first-principles thinking with a strong product mindset, enabling the creation of systems that are both scalable and consumer-centric. Suyash believes the future of luxury lies in seamlessly merging physical and digital worlds, where technology enhances emotion, trust, and self-expression rather than replacing it.

A seasoned IT leader with over two decades of experience, he brings a strong track record in strategic leadership, digital transformation, and operational excellence. Throughout his career, he has consistently leveraged technology to drive business growth, enhance revenue streams, and improve profitability across diverse industries.

He has successfully led cross-functional teams in designing and implementing scalable technology solutions, with a focus on data security, process optimization, and innovation. His expertise lies in aligning IT initiatives with broader business objectives, enabling organizations to respond effectively to evolving market demands and digital disruption.

Known for his visionary approach, he partners closely with C-suite stakeholders to shape and execute technology-driven strategies that support long-term growth. He is passionate about adopting emerging technologies and building programs that not only enhance performance but also expand customer reach and engagement.

Currently contributing to the dynamic retail sector at Anita Dongre House, he continues to play a pivotal role in driving digital innovation and strengthening the organization’s competitive edge in an increasingly technology-driven landscape.

An experienced technology leader with over 20 years of global experience, he has a strong track record in leading technology-enabled business transformation initiatives across India and the US. He currently heads the Technology function at Apparel Group India.

He has held leadership roles driving digital transformation for leading retail organizations, including Kaya Skin Clinic (Marico), Reliance Brands (Reliance Retail), and Future Group. His expertise spans infrastructure design, information security, SAP, POS systems, e-commerce platforms, analytics, RPA, and HR systems, along with building offshore technology teams and executing customer engagement and loyalty programs.

He holds a Master’s in Information Systems from Drexel University and an MBA from Pune University. He is also a member of the Retailers Association of India’s Technology Committee and a mentor at CIBA Mumbai.