Tata Starbucks  announces new CEO designate, even as Navin Gurnaney, current CEO, Tata Starbucks has made the decision to pursue an opportunity outside of the company. A release shared this week stated that under Gurnaney’s leadership, the company has experienced accelerated growth, new city entries and store formats.

With this transition, Sushant Dash will join Tata Starbucks as CEO designate effective April 1, 2021 and take over as CEO on May 1, 2021.

Dash joins Tata Starbucks from Tata Consumer Products where he is currently president – packaged beverages business, India, Bangladesh, and Middle East. Over the last 20 years with the company, he has been instrumental in growing the branded tea business to its current leadership position.

Commenting on the announcement, Sunil D’Souza, MD & CEO, Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) said, “Navin has made significant contributions to the Tata Starbucks business in India, stepping up expansion and enhancing the customer experience. Navin has been a great asset to the company and we wish him success in his future endeavours. We remain committed to growing the Tata Starbucks business and brand and are happy to bring in Sushant, with his strong marketing, operational and leadership experience to spearhead the next phase of growth.”

Sara Trilling, president, Starbucks Asia Pacific, said, “We want to recognize Navin for the impact he has made on the company, growing our portfolio to 216 stores across 17 cities. We are pleased to welcome Sushant, a recognized leader in growing retail businesses and brands through locally-relevant initiatives. India is a strategic market for Starbucks, and we remain committed to the long-term in the country.”

In 2012, Dash was part of the core team that opened the first Tata Starbucks store in India and was directly responsible for the strategy and marketing of the Starbucks brand in the country.