Ex-Poco head Himanshu Tandon to lead Nothing’s CMF unit as VP, to help with expansion strategy

Nothing vice president Himanshu Tandon with Nothing CEO Carl Pei (right)

Himanshu Tandon, the executive who helmed Xiaomi’s sub-brand POCO in India, has formally joined London-based smartphone maker Nothing to lead its sub-brand CMF as vice president of business. In this role, he will oversee global strategy, growth, and go-to-market execution, with India positioned as a hub for global expansion.

Moneycontrol first reported his exit from Xiaomi’s POCO and his planned move to Nothing on July 25.

CMF by Nothing, which operates in the value-design segment with earbuds, phones, and accessories, is betting on India’s scale and speed for product rollouts and campaign execution. Nothing recently shifted its global marketing operations to India, underlining the country’s role as a strategic launchpad for the brand.

Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, said: “We created CMF to address a gap in the mass-market consumer tech segment, which had become predictable and uninspiring. Himanshu’s proven success makes him the ideal leader to shape CMF’s next phase of growth.”

Tandon said his goal is to build CMF into a cultural keystone for Gen Z and young consumers globally. “Nothing has been one of the most exciting and disruptive forces in tech. What excites me most about CMF is how it speaks the language of today’s youth. I’m thrilled to begin this next chapter.”

Tandon’s exit marks the second high-profile departure from Xiaomi India in less than a year, following the resignation of president Muralikrishnan B in November 2024. A founding member of POCO, Tandon was tasked with leading the sub-brand’s India operations in 2022, reporting to Sandeep Singh Arora, Xiaomi India’s chief business officer. His departure last month came as Xiaomi grappled with falling shipments and eroding market share, even as POCO remained one of its few growth drivers.