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Arun Srinivas - Managing Director and Head of Meta India
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge." — Simon Sinek.
Arun Srinivas’s journey reflects this idea perfectly. From his early days working in sales roles at Reebok to becoming the face of Meta in India, he has built a career based on learning, leading, and adapting. He did not start in tech, but over nearly 30 years, he moved through FMCG giants, investment firms, and mobility platforms, always bringing a deep understanding of people, brands, and business.
Now, as he prepares to step into the role of Managing Director and Head of Meta India from 1 July 2025, Arun is ready to shape the future of one of the world’s biggest tech companies in one of its fastest-growing markets. This is the story of his path, from classrooms in Chennai to boardrooms at Meta.
Arun Srinivas - Biography
| NAME | ARUN SRINIVAS |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Managing Director and Head of Meta India (1 July 2025) |
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Physics, University of Madras; Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, IIM Calcutta; Strategic Customer Management, Northwestern University |
Arun Srinivas - Education
Arun Srinivas completed his schooling at Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram in Chennai. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Madras, graduating in 1993. His passion for marketing led him to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, where he completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing in 1996. Furthering his education, he attended the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 2007, undertaking an executive programme in Strategic Customer Management.
Arun Srinivas - Career
Arun Srinivas began his professional journey with Reebok in 1996, where he held multiple roles including Product Manager, Regional Sales Manager (South India), and Marketing Manager. This early experience helped him build a foundation in brand and market strategy.
In 2001, he joined Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), one of India’s most respected consumer goods companies. Over his 16-year tenure, he served in various leadership positions, ultimately becoming Category Vice President for Foods across South Asia. At HUL, he managed a broad portfolio including skin care, beverages, and food products, overseeing household brands like Fair & Lovely, Lakmé, Vaseline, and Knorr. His work spanned India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, giving him exposure to diverse consumer markets.
In 2017, Srinivas moved to the investment sector, taking on the role of Operating Advisor at WestBridge Capital. There, he led the consumer vertical and supported investments in high-growth companies such as Vini Cosmetics and Enrich Salons.
In 2019, he joined mobility company Ola (ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) as Chief Operating Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer. He managed the India P&L and was responsible for revenue, marketing, user experience, and category development. Notably, he spearheaded Ola’s international expansion into the UK, where the platform quickly became the second-largest ride-hailing service in London within weeks of its launch.
Srinivas entered the tech sector in 2020, joining Meta (formerly Facebook) as Director and Head of the Global Business Group in India. In this role, he worked closely with large advertisers and agencies, helping scale Meta’s platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, across India. In 2022, he was promoted to lead the Ads Business for Meta India, where he focused on strategy and execution around AI, short-form video (Reels), and business messaging.
Arun Srinivas and Meta India
Starting 1 July 2025, Arun Srinivas officially takes over as Managing Director and Head of Meta India. He will report directly to Sandhya Devanathan, who now oversees operations for both India and Southeast Asia.
In this role, Srinivas will be responsible for aligning Meta’s business, innovation, and revenue goals in India while strengthening partnerships with key brands, developers, and advertisers. His leadership comes during a pivotal time for Meta, as the company expands its investments in artificial intelligence, creator tools, and messaging-based commerce.
Under his supervision, Meta is expected to enhance its focus on AI-powered advertising, scale Reels monetisation for creators, and further drive WhatsApp business integrations across sectors like retail, travel, and services.
His leadership will also be key in navigating regulatory issues. In late 2024, Meta faced scrutiny from the Competition Commission of India over WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices. Though the order was suspended in early 2025, the episode highlights the regulatory complexities Srinivas must address moving forward.
What Does Arun Srinivas Bring to the Table at Meta?
Srinivas’s deep knowledge of Indian consumers and his adaptability across sectors from FMCG to ride-hailing to digital platforms make him a uniquely positioned leader. During his time at Meta, the company’s India ad revenue saw notable growth. In FY24 alone, Meta India’s gross advertising revenue rose by approximately 24% to INR 22,730 crore, with net profits reaching INR 505 crore. His strategic focus on AI integration and business messaging has led to early collaborations with brands such as Dream11 and Zomato, who are now using Meta’s LLaMA AI models.
Moreover, Srinivas’s diverse background makes him a great leader to lead through complexity. His experience in launching new markets (as seen at Ola), overseeing brand portfolios (at HUL), and managing investor relationships (at WestBridge Capital) shows a clear pattern of high-impact execution.
Conclusion
Arun Srinivas’s story is not just about titles or companies, it’s about growth, learning, and staying curious through every step of the journey. From managing food and skincare brands at HUL to launching Ola in a global market, and now leading Meta India, his career shows how one can evolve with time while staying grounded in strong values and clear thinking.
As he takes on this new role at Meta, Arun brings with him decades of experience and a deep understanding of both people and business. With India playing a key role in Meta’s global strategy, his leadership will help shape how millions of Indians connect, communicate, and grow in the digital world.
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