Amit Dakshini, Alvarez and Marsal

Alvarez and Marsal has appointed senior industry leader Amit Dakshini to strengthen its automotive sector capabilities in India, marking a strategic expansion of the firm’s consulting practice in one of the country’s fastest transforming industries. The appointment reflects the company’s focus on deepening its sector led expertise at a time when India’s automotive and industrial ecosystem is undergoing significant shifts driven by new technologies, electrification, supply chain restructuring and increased global interest in manufacturing.

Dakshini joins the company with more than two decades of experience across strategy, transformation and operational management in the automotive and industrial sectors. His background includes leading roles in business model development, market expansion, supply chain modernisation and cost restructuring, areas that have become critical for companies navigating the changing regulatory and competitive environment in the country. Industry watchers noted that his move signals the firm’s intent to strengthen its on ground capabilities as manufacturers look to accelerate growth and adopt modernisation programmes.

According to the announcement, Dakshini will work closely with the firm’s leadership to expand its automotive practice and support clients in areas such as growth planning, performance improvement, portfolio restructuring and technology readiness. His experience spans work with global and domestic automotive brands, component suppliers and large industrial groups. Analysts said the appointment comes at a time when automotive and industrial companies are seeking specialised advisory support to adapt to emerging technologies and evolving consumer expectations.

The automotive sector in India has been experiencing steady recovery and transformation following the disruption caused by the pandemic and supply chain shortages. Companies are investing in electric and hybrid technologies, mobility solutions, digital platforms and connected vehicle ecosystems. At the same time, manufacturers are grappling with rising input costs, inventory cycles, global market volatility and the need to expand export capabilities. Market observers said that consulting firms with industry specialised talent are increasingly being sought after to support strategic restructuring and operational efficiency initiatives.

Alvarez and Marsal has been focusing on strengthening its sector specific expertise across its India practice. The company has expanded its work in turnaround management, performance improvement, digital transformation and operational restructuring across industries. With the addition of Dakshini, the firm aims to broaden its automotive and industrial advisory portfolio to help companies navigate market changes more efficiently. Senior executives at the firm said the appointment reinforces their commitment to supporting clients with practical and execution led solutions.

Industry experts said that leadership appointments in consulting firms often reflect broader market trends. As automotive and industrial companies shift towards more technology infused business models, advisory services that combine operational understanding with strategic foresight have become essential. Companies are particularly seeking support in areas such as digital manufacturing, supply chain resilience, go to market planning and revenue diversification. The sector’s rapid evolution has created demand for leaders with hands on industry experience who can guide clients through complex transformation programmes.

Reports noted that Dakshini has previously worked with multiple multinational and domestic players in roles involving operational restructuring, market entry, product lifecycle planning and cost optimisation. His experience aligns with the current priorities of the sector, including the focus on electric mobility, localisation strategies, component exports and the adoption of smart factory technologies. Analysts said these capabilities will be valuable for clients looking to design long term growth strategies.

The automotive sector’s performance has been mixed across categories. Passenger vehicle sales have shown improvement, supported by demand for SUVs and compact models, while two wheelers have seen gradual recovery. Commercial vehicles have reported cyclical variations due to changes in freight movement and infrastructure activity. With companies increasing their investments in new platform development and R and D, advisory support has become important for evaluating market risks and investment decisions.

Consulting firms in India are also seeing increased activity due to shifting market expectations and the need for performance improvements across industries. Alvarez and Marsal has been involved in several turnaround and transformation projects globally, and its India practice has been expanding its team to cater to rising demand. Analysts said the latest appointment adds to the company’s pool of industry specific leadership, allowing it to strengthen its engagements in the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

In recent years, global consulting firms have been building stronger sector led teams to address the complexity of modern industrial markets. The automotive industry, in particular, has been undergoing an accelerated transformation due to regulatory reforms, incentives for electric vehicles, sustainability commitments and pressure to modernise manufacturing. Companies are increasingly focusing on cost rationalisation, capital efficiency and new revenue models, creating demand for domain specific advisory solutions.

The appointment of a senior automotive leader within Alvarez and Marsal also reflects the broader trend of consulting firms investing in leadership talent to meet the evolving needs of Indian companies. Sector expertise is becoming central to advisory engagements as companies require deeper insights to navigate competitive markets and adopt new technologies.

As the industry continues to evolve, analysts expect consulting firms to play a larger role in supporting automotive manufacturers, suppliers and industrial companies across areas such as growth strategy, performance transformation, financial restructuring and digital enablement. With India positioned as one of the world’s key automotive growth markets, leadership expansion within consulting practices is expected to continue.

The addition of Amit Dakshini marks another step in Alvarez and Marsal’s plan to strengthen its India presence, sector focus and execution capabilities. Market observers believe this move signals a continued emphasis on building specialised teams that can help clients respond to changing dynamics in the automotive and industrial sectors.