General Motors announces key PR appointment for India

General Motors India today announced the appointment of Swati Bhattacharya as vice president of Communications and Pankaj Gupta as vice president of Government Relations and Public Policy. Both appointments are effective from September 10, 2015.

Swati Bhattacharya, who is based at GM India’s Gurgaon headquarters, is responsible for GM India Communications’ strategy, including the rebuilding of the reputation of the Chevrolet brand and partnering with GM India marketing team to grow brand awareness. 

She reports directly to GM India President and also to managing director Arvind Saxena and functionally to GM International vice president of Communications Lori Arpin.

Bhattacharya came to GM India from Ingersoll Rand India, where she had served as vice president of Corporate Relations, Public Affairs and Branding. She earlier was head of Corporate Relations at Agilent Technologies, head of Corporate Communications at Jindal Stainless Ltd., account director and consultant at Corporate Voice Shandwick.

Pankaj Gupta, who is also based at GM India’s Gurgaon headquarters, will be responsible for working with central and state government officials as well as with industry bodies on policies impacting GM and the Indian automotive industry.He reports directly to Saxena and to GM International vice president of Government Relations and Public Policy Matt Hobbs.

An auto expert, Gupta most recently served as chief general manager of External Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Volkswagen India. He earlier was general manager of the External Affairs and CSR Division at Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Arvind Saxena, president and managing Director, General Motors India said, “When we recently announced a new $1 billion investment strategy for the Indian market, we highlighted that new people will join General Motors to help us as we grow in India.  Adding Swati and Pankaj to the GM India team will help extend GM’s profile with important stakeholders such as the media and policy makers and develop the GM brand in this market.  I am very glad that they are coming on board at one of the most exciting times in GM’s history in India.”

P. (Bala) Balendran, who has served as GM India vice president of Corporate Affairs since joining GM India in 1998, will take on the new position of senior adviser to the company, effective October 31, 2015.