NEW DELHI — H+K Strategies has named Abhishek Gulyani as the firm's new CEO in India, filling a role that had remained vacant since the departure of Kavitha Rao one year ago.

Gulyani arrives from AvianWE, where he spent three years, most recently as technology lead. He becomes H+K's third Indian market leader in just over two years, following the short-lived tenures of Rao and her predecessor Chetan Mahajan. 

Since Rao's departure, H+K's Indian office has been overseen by Middle East, Turkey, India and Africa CEO Bashar AlKadhi, to whom Gulyani reports.

"India is one of H+K’s high growth potential markets with clients across many sectors," said AlKadhi. "With his track record of driving business and vision for collective success, Abhishek’s appointment as CEO is not only exciting for our colleagues in India, but for H+K’s leadership across the wider region."

H+K has been present in India since it absorbed local firm IPAN 2009, working with such clients as LG, Morgan Stanley and Wipro. Gulyani will focus on strategic counsel for clients while building H+K India’s client base and introduce new offerings from the global network including behavioral science communications model, Smarter, and communications training academy, Knowledge+.

In addition to Avian, Gulyani’s experience includes running his own agency, Facio Communications, and working as senior counsel at Genesis BCW.

"In this global time of uncertainty, I have never been more certain of the relevance of our industry," said Gulyani. "Businesses will look to communications experts to ensure they remain at the heart of the conversation as they seek to build brand purpose and showcase impact."