NEW DELHI — Nikhil Dey is leaving Genesis B-M after almost 15 years to move to rival agency Weber Shandwick, the Holmes Report has learned.

Dey, who spent the past eight years as GBM's president, becomes India vice chair for Weber Shandwick. Valerie Pinto, Weber Shandwick's India CEO, confirmed the hire, noting that Dey will join as her "partner" early next year "to help take our growing India business to the next level."  

Dey joined GBM as managing partner in 2004, before being appointed president of its key public relations division in 2011. In 2015, he added leadership of the firm's public affairs unit.

Genesis B-M CEO and founder Prema Sagar told the Holmes Report that Dey had "been an integral part of GBM, and clients have always appreciated his counsel and support."

In response, added Sagar, GBM is to elevate Deepshikha Dharmaraj to managing director, overseeing the firm alongside Sagar. Dhamaraj has spent 24 years with GBM and, in her most recent role of chief business growth officer, was responsible for growing clients, talent and partnerships along with developing new integrated services.