Forbes Group and HDFC set up Next Gen Publishing; Hoshang Billimoria is CEO

The Forbes Group, owned by Shapoorji Pallonji, and HDFC Limited have joined hands to start a new company, Next Gen Publishing Limited (NGPL). The company claims to offer the best in the field of print publishing through niche and special interest magazines. NGPL plans to become a leading content generation company.

The Board of Directors of NGPL includes Nawshir Khurody (former Chairman Tata Infomedia Limited and former Managing Director, Voltas Ltd. & Chairman NGPL), K C Mehra, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Forbes Gokak Limited, Keki Mistry, Managing Director, HDFC Limited and R N Jha, former Director LIC.

Hoshang Billimoria, former Vice Chairman and Managing Director Tata Infomedia, is the CEO of the new venture. Billimoria was responsible for starting the directory and magazine publishing business at Tata Infomedia Limited, where he was instrumental in the company's turnaround from a loss making printing company to a successful publishing company. During his tenure, several special interest magazines in the B2B and B2C space were launched, including the Yellow Pages directories that were introduced in twelve cities.

Announcing the formation of NGPL, K C Mehra, Dy. Chairman Forbes Gokak Ltd. said, "The Forbes Group is delighted to partner with HDFC Limited in the formation of NGPL. We see huge growth potential in both publishing and content generation. With a highly capable team headed by Hoshang Billimoria, we expect very positive results and growth."

On the future of Next Gen, Billimoria, said, "Next Gen plans to enter into specialised areas, with high quality product offerings, meeting the needs of discerning readers and users. Our team has rich experience in launching well researched, innovative products, and marketing them successfully." NGPL is expected to launch this magazine shortly.