Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

South Asian food group Vibrant Foods appoints Damian Guha as new CEO, Nish Kankiwala as non-executive chair

Guha comes in as Umesh Parmer, the current CEO moves to the role of managing director and will oversee operations, supply chain, and procurement.

South Asian food group Vibrant Foods appoints Damian Guha as new CEO, Nish Kankiwala as non-executive chair

Vibrant Foods, Europe's biggest south Asian food group, has announced the appointment of Damian Guha as its new chief executive officer (CEO) and Nish Kankiwala as non-executive chair.

Guha will replace Umesh Parmer, the current CEO who moves to the role of managing director (MD) and will oversee operations, supply chain, and procurement.


Guha brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, having served recently as the MD of Upfield’s UK & Ireland team, the world’s leading plant-based food company and maker of household brands such as Flora, Elmlea, and Violife.

He also held in the past several senior positions within Mars and at Marks and Spencer, both in the UK and across Europe.

“To become CEO of a company with such distinctive brands and rich heritage is truly exciting. I would like to express my gratitude to Rohit for his outstanding work as Chair, and I look forward to working together to deliver on Vibrant Foods’ next phase of growth," Guha said.

Incoming non-executive chair Kankiwala currently serves as a non-executive director of John Lewis & Partners and, until recently, was the CEO and chair of Hovis.

It was also learnt that Vibrant Foods' executive chairman Rohit Samani will step aside from his current position and manage the role of a special adviser to the company's board. He held the position since November 2019 and led the acquisition of a number of popular Asian food brands -- TRS, East End Foods, Cofresh, Fudco, and Everest Dairies, to form Vibrant Foods.

It was under his leadership that Vibrant Foods recorded a 58 per cent revenue growth from its inception in 2019 to 2021.

Samani said, “It has been a privilege to serve as the chair of Vibrant Foods and to have led a team that achieved so much. With Damian and Nish at the helm we have two seasoned leaders who I have every faith will build on this momentum. I wish them all the best for the future.”

More For You

Jio Platforms

Jio Platforms includes India’s largest telecom operator, Reliance Jio Infocomm, with more than 500 million users. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Jio IPO planned for mid-2026, AI unit announced with Meta and Google

RELIANCE Industries plans to take its telecom and digital arm, Jio Platforms, public by mid-2026, chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Friday. The announcement sets a new timeline for the long-awaited IPO of a business analysts value at over $100 billion.

At its annual general meeting (AGM), Reliance also announced the launch of an artificial intelligence unit in partnership with Google and Meta.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asda tech overhaul

Asda sales fell 0.2 per cent in the three months to June 30, 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Asda boss hails tech overhaul as key to revival despite sales slump

THE chairman of Asda has admitted the supermarket chain still faces challenges after sales slipped again over the summer, but said the completion of a major IT overhaul was crucial for its recovery.

Allan Leighton told the Times that the long-delayed technology project, called Project Future, had finally been finished after years of setbacks and costs exceeding £1 billion. The work involved separating more than 2,500 systems inherited from former owner Walmart, following Asda’s 2021 takeover by TDR Capital.

Keep ReadingShow less
JLR-Getty

A logo is pictured outside a Jaguar Land Rover new car show room in Tonbridge, south east England. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

UK car exports to US rebound after trade deal

UK VEHICLE exports to the United States rose in July after a new trade deal between London and Washington reduced tariffs, industry data showed on Thursday.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), exports increased 6.8 per cent in July to nearly 10,000 units, following three consecutive months of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Relatives of jailed Briton appeal to UK minister in AgustaWestland row

Christian Michel

Relatives of jailed Briton appeal to UK minister in AgustaWestland row

THE family of Christian Michel, the British businessman accused of acting as a middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal, has appealed to the UK government to push for his release from Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

Michel’s relatives met Foreign Office minister Catherine West in London on Tuesday (26). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the minister listened to their concerns and updated them on ongoing steps being taken.

Keep ReadingShow less
Blackburn loses Issa empire as brothers move EG Group to US

Zuber and Mohsin Issa (Photo: LDRS)

Blackburn loses Issa empire as brothers move EG Group to US

ASIAN entrepreneurs Mohsin and Zuber Issa are moving the headquarters of their global forecourt company, EG Group, from Blackburn to the US in preparation for a major stock market listing in New York.

The firm confirmed that its main office will relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina, while a new base in Bolton, Greater Manchester, will handle its remaining UK operations, the Telegraph reported. The change brings an end to almost 25 years of the company being run from Blackburn.

Keep ReadingShow less