Madhu Kannan joins Uber as India business head

Moneycontrol BureauMadhu Kannan, a former top official at Tata Sons, has joined Uber, the world’s largest taxi aggregator, as its Chief Business Officer for India and Emerging Markets.

The 42-year-old Kannan, who was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Bombay Stock Exchange, was believed to be a contender for the vacant Chairman’s post at the National Stock Exchange. At Uber, he will be tasked with strengthening Uber's presence in its second largest market in terms of number of trips taken."As a key member of Uber's regional leadership team, Madhu will be responsible for growing Ubers business in India as well as across new emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region, through strategic partnerships and investment opportunities," Uber said in a blogpost. 

He had been the Group Head of Business Development and Public Affairs at Tata Sons since 2012, but quit soon after Cyrus Mistry was ousted as the Chairman in October last year.

“With his background and experience in India and Asian emerging markets, his appointment reinforces our commitment to continue to invest and grow our presence and unlock the full potential of ridesharing in the region," Uber President Business (Asia Pacific) Eric Alexander said. 

Kannan, an electronics engineer-cum-MBA graduate, was earlier with Bank of America-Merrill Lynch as MD-corporate strategy and business development and NYSE Euronext as senior vice-president.