Britannia Appoints Puneet Das as CMO

Britannia Industries has announced key leadership changes within its marketing function, appointing Puneet Das as Chief Marketing Officer while elevating Siddharth Gupta to the role of Vice President, Marketing. The move signals a strategic refresh of the company’s marketing leadership as it navigates evolving consumer behaviour, competitive pressures and the growing influence of digital channels.

Puneet Das joins Britannia with extensive experience across consumer marketing, brand strategy and business leadership. In his new role as CMO, Das will be responsible for overseeing the company’s overall marketing agenda, including brand building, innovation support, media strategy and consumer engagement across its product portfolio. His appointment comes at a time when packaged food companies are increasingly focusing on differentiation, value positioning and digital reach.

Das has previously held senior marketing and leadership roles across prominent consumer brands, where he worked on large scale brand transformations, portfolio expansion and integrated marketing initiatives. His background spans traditional mass media as well as emerging digital platforms, an area of growing importance for Britannia as it engages with younger and more digitally connected consumers.

Alongside Das’s appointment, Britannia has promoted Siddharth Gupta to Vice President, Marketing. Gupta has been associated with the company for several years and has played a key role in driving brand and category growth across multiple segments. In his expanded role, Gupta is expected to take on greater responsibility for execution, innovation pipelines and category level marketing strategies.

The leadership changes reflect Britannia’s emphasis on strengthening internal capabilities while also bringing in external perspectives. By combining Das’s experience with Gupta’s institutional knowledge, the company appears to be aiming for continuity alongside fresh thinking. This balance is often critical in large consumer goods organisations where brand equity and operational scale go hand in hand.

Britannia operates in a highly competitive food and bakery market, where consumer preferences are shifting toward health, convenience and value. Marketing leaders in this sector face the challenge of sustaining legacy brands while adapting to new consumption trends and media habits. The company’s leadership refresh comes as brands across categories rework their messaging to stay relevant in a crowded marketplace.

Industry observers note that the role of a CMO has evolved significantly in recent years. Beyond traditional advertising, marketing leaders are now expected to influence product development, pricing strategies and customer experience. Data driven decision making and digital engagement have become central to marketing effectiveness, particularly as brands compete for attention across fragmented media environments.

Britannia has been investing in innovation and portfolio diversification, with a focus on premium offerings, health oriented products and regional relevance. Marketing leadership plays a key role in shaping how these initiatives are communicated to consumers and translated into brand growth. The appointment of a new CMO may support sharper alignment between product strategy and consumer communication.

Siddharth Gupta’s elevation also highlights the company’s commitment to developing talent internally. Over the years, Gupta has worked across multiple categories and brands within Britannia, gaining exposure to both mass and niche segments. His familiarity with the company’s operating model and market dynamics positions him to support execution under the new leadership structure.

The changes come at a time when consumer packaged goods companies are reassessing their marketing investments. Rising media costs, increased competition from direct to consumer brands and changing consumption patterns are prompting marketers to focus on efficiency and effectiveness. Leadership with experience across both traditional and digital ecosystems is increasingly seen as valuable.

Britannia’s decision to announce both moves together suggests a coordinated transition rather than a standalone appointment. This approach can help ensure stability during leadership changes and provide clarity to internal teams and external partners. Marketing agencies, media partners and innovation collaborators often look for consistency in leadership as they plan long term engagements.

The company has not indicated any immediate changes to its brand architecture or marketing priorities following the appointments. However, leadership transitions often lead to reviews of brand positioning, communication strategy and media mix. Any such changes are typically phased and informed by market performance and consumer insights.

For the broader marketing industry, the appointments underscore the continued importance of experienced leadership in navigating transformation. As marketing functions become more integrated with business strategy, the CMO role is gaining prominence within organisational leadership teams. Appointments at large consumer companies are often closely watched as indicators of broader industry direction.

Britannia has a strong presence across urban and rural markets, catering to a wide range of price points and consumer needs. Managing this diversity requires marketing strategies that are both scalable and locally relevant. Leadership that understands the nuances of India’s consumption landscape is critical to sustaining growth.

The elevation of Siddharth Gupta also provides continuity in institutional memory, which can be valuable during periods of change. His role is expected to complement the CMO’s strategic oversight with on ground execution and category specific focus.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, marketing teams are being challenged to deliver consistency while experimenting with new formats and platforms. The leadership changes at Britannia suggest an intent to strengthen its marketing organisation to meet these demands.

The company has not shared additional details on reporting structures or specific portfolio responsibilities following the announcement. Such details are often clarified internally as leadership transitions settle and priorities are defined.

Overall, the appointments mark an important moment for Britannia’s marketing function. By bringing in a seasoned marketing leader and promoting internal talent, the company appears to be positioning itself to navigate both current market challenges and long term brand building opportunities in an increasingly dynamic consumer landscape.