Right Man, Right Market: The story of Kartik Mohindra

For over two decades, India’s premium spirits landscape has changed dramatically and Kartik Mohindra, the new MD of William Grant & Sons India, has had a front-row seat to it. With a clearest voice and defined intent, he navigated changing tastes, rising expectations and regulatory grey zones repositioning global whisky brands for Indian consumers, resonating them with India’s evolving identity. 

Serving as a Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Global Business Development at Pernod Ricard, Mohindra was instrumental in changing the way premium alcohol is engaged with Indian audiences. He has continuously remained ahead of the curve, from establishing local relevance for international brands like Chivas Regal, Jameson, and Absolut to foreseeing the emergence of Indian single malts.

During his tenure, he followed the approach of telling better stories, tapping into national pride, and comprehending the local palate. His strategy combined data-driven thinking with cultural understanding to create advertising campaigns that resonated emotionally with India's broad consumer base in addition to selling whisky. The end product was a marketing strategy based on long-term brand equity, relevance, and authenticity. 

Mohindra's strengths, however, extend beyond marketing. He assumed complete P&L management, as Profit Center Head-North Zone, delivering profitability with an emphasis on market expansion, smart pricing, and operational discipline. Furthermore, as Business Head-International Brands for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and India, he managed ₹600 crore in net sales and generated ₹120 crore in profits, demonstrating his capacity for cross-border expansion. 

What sets Kartik apart is not just his strategic acumen but his ability to simplify complexity and lead with purpose. Clear-eyed thinking, unrelenting execution, and a leadership style that emphasizes accountability without sacrificing empathy have proven to be foundations of his success. His analytical instinct, developed over two decades in the FMCG, alcohol, and beverage industries, has enabled him to repeatedly transform obstacles into targeted, goal-oriented action. His work has always reflected his understanding of when to step back and when to zoom in, and how to keep teams focused on the important things.

Kartik Mohindra is a symbol of stability and innovation in a sector where high-end Indian whiskies are rewriting global standards and customer preferences are changing quickly. His work thus far made one thing clear: he not only follows but also creates industry trends.

If his past performance at Pernod Ricard is a guide, his next chapter at William Grant & Sons as a Managing Director will be one worth watching.