Zomato Faces Leadership Shake-Up as Co-Founder Akriti Chopra Resigns

Zomato co-founder and Chief People Officer Akriti Chopra has resigned from her role with immediate effect after a remarkable 13-year journey at the company.

The Deepinder Goyal-led food delivery giant officially confirmed her departure through a stock exchange filing on September 27, 2024, saying, "Pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations, we would like to inform that Ms. Akriti Chopra...has tendered her resignation w.e.f. September 27, 2024."

Emotional Farewell After Long Tenure

In a heartfelt farewell message to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, Chopra reflected on her time at the company. "Deepi, as discussed, formally sending in my resignation effective today, September 27, 2024. It's been an incredibly enriching journey over the past 13 years. Thank you for everything. I'm always a call away. Wishing you and Eternal, the very best," Chopra wrote in her exit email, which was publicly shared.

Chopra’s departure comes as a significant moment for the company, given her long-standing influence and leadership at Zomato, where she was considered a core member of the team. Additionally, Chopra is married to Albinder Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit, another prominent player in the food-tech space, making her exit noteworthy across the ecosystem.

Part of Broader Executive Exodus

Chopra’s resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from Zomato in recent years. Earlier departures include former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Gunjan Patidar, who left the company in January 2023, just weeks after co-founder Mohit Gupta resigned in late 2022. Rahul Ganjoo, the head of Zomato’s new initiatives, and Siddharth Jhawar, who led the Intercity Legends service, also parted ways with the company around the same time.

In total, Chopra is the fifth co-founder to leave the company in just two years, joining the ranks of Pankaj Chaddah, who left in 2018, Gaurav Gupta, who exited in 2021, and Mohit Gupta. Despite these significant departures, Zomato has continued to adapt, recently bringing back key executives such as Rahul Ganjoo and Pradyot Ghate to revitalize its going-out business.

Chopra's Journey: From Finance to People Leadership

Akriti Chopra’s journey at Zomato began in November 2011, when she joined as a senior manager in the finance and operations department. Over the years, she climbed the corporate ladder, taking on increasingly pivotal roles. She served as Vice President of Finance and Operations and later became the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

In October 2020, Chopra transitioned to lead Zomato's People Development, a move that underscored her growing focus on shaping company culture. By June 2021, she had risen to the role of Chief People Officer (CPO), a position that allowed her to influence the company's direction in terms of talent acquisition and organizational development.

Prior to her time at Zomato, Chopra worked with PwC in its tax and regulatory practice for three years, equipping her with a strong foundation in financial management.

What's Next for Akriti Chopra?

Although the company did not elaborate on Chopra’s future plans, the filing suggested that she had resigned to explore opportunities outside of Zomato. In her final note, she expressed gratitude to the leadership team, writing, “It's been an incredibly enriching journey over the past 13 years. Thank you for everything. I'm always a call away.”

Changes at Zomato Continue

Chopra’s exit marks another chapter of change for Zomato as it continues to navigate a competitive and evolving market. While the departure of senior leaders can signal uncertainty, Zomato has demonstrated resilience by filling key roles and pursuing growth strategies across its various business segments.

As the company looks ahead, it remains to be seen how Zomato will manage its leadership transitions and what new directions Chopra will pursue in her post-Zomato career.

Join Our Thriving Entrepreneurial Community

Follow TICE News on Social Media and create a strong community of Talent, Ideas, Capital, and Entrepreneurship. YouTube  | Linkedin | X (Twitter) | Facebook | News Letters