The intellectual roots of Shiv Shivakumar trace back to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, where he graduated in 1982 with a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering. The analytical precision of engineering shaped his structured approach to problem-solving, while his curiosity about people and markets eventually drew him toward management.
He went on to pursue his Post Graduate Diploma in Management (MBA) from IIM Calcutta, an institution known for producing some of India’s most formidable business minds. Shiv later became one of the very few professionals to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from both an IIT and an IIM, a distinction that underscores his extraordinary contributions to industry and leadership.
Early Career of Shiv Shivakumar: Learning the Consumer from the Ground Up
Shiv Shivakumar began his professional life as a management trainee at Hindustan Ciba-Geigy, before moving to Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)—a company that would shape his understanding of brands, consumers, and execution excellence.
Over 19 years at HUL, he held multiple leadership roles across sales, marketing, and general management, gaining firsthand exposure to India’s diverse consumer landscape. This period taught him the discipline of scale, the power of distribution, and the importance of affordability—insights that would later influence some of India’s most transformative consumer innovations.
Philips India: Creating New Markets
In 2003, Shiv Shivakumar joined Philips Electronics India as CEO of its Consumer Electronics division. At Philips, he played a pivotal role in creating entirely new product categories, including the DVD and home theatre markets in India.
His leadership during this phase reflected a recurring theme in his career: not competing in existing markets, but building new ones.
Shiv Shivakumar: Architect of India’s Mobile Revolution
Shiv’s most iconic corporate chapter began in 2006, when he joined Nokia as Managing Director, India. Under his leadership, Nokia did more than sell mobile phones—it became a cultural phenomenon.
Transformational Impact at Nokia
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Drove Nokia’s brand ranking in India from No. 71 to No. 1
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Built the entire services ecosystem, including Nokia Life Tools
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Led the push for low-cost mobile devices, expanding access across rural India
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Helped Nokia become one of India’s most trusted brands
Between 2007 and 2010, Shiv Shivakumar was a central figure in India’s telecom revolution, during which mobile subscriptions grew from 60 million to over 900 million.
In 2011, he was elevated to Senior Vice President for Emerging Markets (India, Middle East, and Africa)—a region accounting for 40% of Nokia’s global business across nearly 90 countries. His work during this period became case studies at Harvard University, ISB, and other global institutions, cementing his reputation as a global business strategist.
PepsiCo India: Reimagining Growth Through Nutrition
In December 2013, Shiv Shivakumar was appointed Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo India, a role he held until December 2017. His tenure marked a strategic inflection point for the company.
Key Achievements at PepsiCo
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Brought nutrition and wellness to the centre of PepsiCo’s portfolio
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Led successful launches under Quaker and Tropicana
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Deepened consumer engagement across beverages and snacks
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Managed PepsiCo’s franchise operations across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives
Shiv was widely recognised for steering PepsiCo India through portfolio transformation, aligning global strategy with Indian consumer realities.
Aditya Birla Group: Strategy at Scale
In January 2018, Shiv joined the Aditya Birla Group as Group Executive President – Corporate Strategy and Business Development. The role placed him at the strategic nerve centre of one of India’s largest multinational conglomerates, with operations in 36 countries across sectors ranging from cement and chemicals to telecom, retail, and financial services.
During his tenure (2018–2022), Shiv focused on long-term value creation, strategic investments, and future-ready business models.
Advent International: Leadership in Private Equity
As of April 2023, Shiv Shivakumar serves as an Operating Partner at Advent International, one of the world’s leading private equity firms. Based in Gurgaon, he works closely with portfolio companies on strategy, leadership development, and transformational growth.
Advent International’s recognition as a global leader in diversity and inclusion aligns closely with Shiv’s own leadership philosophy—one that places people, purpose, and performance on equal footing.
Author, Thinker and Teacher
In 2025, Shiv Shivakumar added another dimension to his legacy with the release of his book, The CEO Mindset, a deeply reflective work on leadership, decision-making, and organisational culture in uncertain times.
He is also:
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A regular columnist on leadership, branding, and emerging markets
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A guest faculty at leading business schools worldwide
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A respected voice in India’s management and leadership discourse
Shiv Shivakumar: Board Roles and Industry Leadership
Shiv Shivakumar’s influence extends beyond executive roles into governance and institution-building.
Current & Notable Positions
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Operating Partner, Advent International
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Chairman, Vadilal Industries (since mid-2025)
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Non-Executive Chairman, Burger King India
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Governing Council Member, SPJIMR (since January 2024)
Past Leadership Roles
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President, All India Management Association (AIMA)
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Chairman, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)