In a strategic leadership update, Meta has announced the appointment of Arun Srinivas as the Managing Director and Head of Meta India, effective July 1, 2025. This key move comes shortly after Shivnath Thukral, the company’s Vice-President and Head of Public Policy for India, stepped down.

Arun Srinivas steps into this role during a period of significant expansion for Meta in the region. He will report directly to Sandhya Devanathan, who recently took on an expanded role overseeing Meta’s operations across both India and South East Asia, reinforcing the company’s commitment to deepening its presence in these vital markets.

Bringing Experience and Vision to the Fore

A post-graduate from the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata, Arun Srinivas brings nearly 30 years of rich experience in sales and marketing leadership across prominent brands like Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, Ola, and WestBridge Capital. Since joining Meta in 2020, Srinivas has been instrumental as the Director and Head of Meta’s Ads Business in India. His leadership has helped steer Meta’s engagement with some of the country’s largest advertisers and agency partners.

Srinivas’s expertise has been pivotal in advancing Meta’s core revenue priorities in India, including the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, the expansion of Reels, and enhancing Messaging services. These areas are central to Meta’s strategy to deliver innovative advertising solutions and create greater value for its partners.

Focus on Growth, Innovation, and Partnerships

In his new role, Arun Srinivas will focus on aligning Meta India’s business, innovation, and revenue priorities to serve its diverse partners and clients more effectively. The company underscored that he will continue to support Meta’s long-term growth plans and its strong commitment to India’s digital ecosystem.

Meta’s move to strengthen its leadership in India reflects the country’s importance as one of its largest and fastest-growing markets. With the rise of digital consumption and advertising, Srinivas’s appointment signals the company’s intent to deepen its engagement and innovate further in the Indian market.

Who is Arun Srinivas, New India Head of Meta?

Arun Srinivas joined Meta (formerly Facebook) in September 2020 and has built a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in sales, marketing, and business leadership.

He began his career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector with Reebok in 1996, where he held key roles including Product Manager, Regional Sales Manager for South India, and Marketing Manager. This early experience gave him a strong foundation in brand building and understanding regional markets.

In 2001, Srinivas joined Hindustan Unilever, where he spent more than 15 years in leadership roles. Rising through the ranks, he eventually became Category Vice President for Foods South Asia, managing operations across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. He also led key categories such as Skin Care & Makeup and Beverages, handling renowned brands like Fair & Lovely, Ponds, Vaseline, Lakmé, and Knorr.

After Unilever, he shifted to private equity as Operating Advisor with WestBridge Capital Partners, where he focused on consumer portfolio companies like Vini Cosmetics and Enrich Salons. In 2019, he transitioned to Ola as Chief Operating Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing all mobility categories in India and managing the company’s launch in London, where Ola quickly became the second-largest ride-hailing service.

At Meta, Srinivas initially led the Global Business Group for India, focusing on revenue from major advertisers and agencies. In 2022, he was promoted to Director and Head of the Ads Business in India, overseeing sales, solutions, measurement, and creative functions.

Arun Srinivas holds a PGDM in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and an undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Madras. He has also completed executive education in Strategic Customer Management at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Looking Ahead

With Arun Srinivas at the helm, Meta India is poised to navigate the evolving digital landscape with renewed vigor, capitalizing on emerging opportunities while fostering strong relationships with advertisers, developers, and users alike. His proven track record in scaling businesses and driving marketing innovation aligns well with Meta’s vision of building meaningful digital experiences in India.