Byju's owned Aakash appoints former Pearson India MD Deepak Mehrotra as new CEO

Troubled edtech giant Byju's-owned Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) has appointed Deepak Mehrotra as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mehrotra, who has over three decades of experience across sectors including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), telecom, and education, has previously served as the Managing Director of Pearson India and Ashirvad Pipes.

Who is Deepak Mehrotra?

Mehrotra is an alumnus of IIT Roorkee and Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS). He further studied at The Wharton School in Philadelphia.

Deepak began his professional career in 1988 as the regional sales manager with Asian Paints. A decade later, he joined Coca-Cola India as the Regional Vice President, where he was responsible for bottling operations in the South Region and the Maldives. He also held senior leadership roles at Bharti Airtel, Micromax Informatics, and Aliaxis.

According to Byju's CEO, Byju Raveendran, Mehrotra will be responsible for delivering on its aggressive growth plan and building on the significant momentum the company is currently experiencing.

"His business acumen and stellar record as the managing director for Pearson India will be pivotal in leading Aakash Byju's into its next phase of growth and impact,” Raveendran said.

Navigating the ongoing challenges

Mehrotra steps into a role that has been vacant for about seven months, following the departures of the previous CEO and CFO amid a challenging period for Byju’s.

The edtech giant has faced financial hurdles marked by liquidity crunches and stakeholder disputes. Mehrotra’s appointment is part of a broader strategic initiative to stabilize operations and propel AESL forward.

Leveraging Aakash’s legacy

Aakash Educational Services, which was acquired by Byju’s in a significant deal in April 2021, is recognized for its comprehensive coaching solutions, which target students preparing for competitive exams in medical and engineering fields, among other fields.

With over 310 centres and a robust student base, AESL aims to expand its reach and fortify its educational offerings under Mehrotra’s leadership.

Future directions

The appointment signals Byju’s commitment to overcoming its current challenges and reinforcing its position in the educational sector. Mehrotra’s leadership is seen as critical to driving AESL’s aggressive growth plans and building on its current momentum.

The transition comes as Byju navigates complex negotiations and legal proceedings, underscoring the importance of strong leadership in guiding Aakash’s journey ahead.

ET had earlier reported that the coaching firm had dropped plans for any potential return of Aakash Chaudhry—the promoter of the coaching business unit—at the helm of affairs.