Info Edge (India) Ltd., the parent company of Naukri.com, has appointed veteran finance professional Himanshu Agarwal as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Whole-Time Director. The appointment marks an important leadership change for one of India's prominent internet and technology companies as it continues to expand its digital businesses and investment portfolio.

Himanshu Agarwal is scheduled to assume the role of CFO on September 17, 2026. His appointment as Whole-Time Director will run for five consecutive years, from September 17, 2026, to September 16, 2031, subject to shareholder and other applicable statutory approvals.

The appointment brings an experienced finance executive into Info Edge's senior leadership at a time when the company is managing a diversified portfolio spanning online recruitment, real estate, matrimony, education and technology investments.

Himanshu Agarwal Brings More Than Three Decades of Experience

Himanshu Agarwal brings extensive experience in finance leadership, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and business transformation. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary and Cost and Management Accountant, giving him expertise across several areas of corporate finance and governance.

Before joining Info Edge, Agarwal served as Whole-Time Director and Chief Financial Officer at Cohance Lifesciences. His career has also included senior finance positions at several major organisations, including Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (Times Group), Huhtamaki Oyj, AkzoNobel India, AstraZeneca Pharma India and ICI India.

His professional journey covers several industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, packaging, media and coatings. This broad exposure could be particularly valuable at Info Edge, whose businesses and investments operate across different segments of India's digital economy.

According to the company's regulatory disclosure, Agarwal has also received recognition for his contribution to the finance profession, including the Best CFO Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and recognition among the Top 100 India CFOs by the CFO Institute.

Appointment Effective September 17, 2026

The Info Edge Board approved Agarwal's appointment on June 26, 2026. He was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel, along with being appointed as an Additional Director to be designated as Whole-Time Director and CFO.

His Whole-Time Director position is for five years, beginning September 17, 2026, and ending September 16, 2031, subject to the necessary approvals.

The appointment is significant because Agarwal will not only oversee Info Edge's finance function but will also participate at the board level as an executive director. This gives the new CFO a wider role in the company's strategic and financial decision-making.

Info Edge Gets a New Finance Leader After CFO Transition

The appointment also follows a period of transition in Info Edge's finance leadership.

Former Whole-Time Director and CFO Chintan Thakkar announced his resignation in August 2025 after nearly 12 years with the company. Info Edge subsequently appointed Ambarish Raghuvanshi as interim CFO. Raghuvanshi continued to oversee the finance function until the appointment of a permanent CFO.

With Agarwal taking charge, Info Edge is moving from interim financial leadership to a long-term CFO arrangement.

The transition comes at an important stage for the company as its business has become increasingly diversified and its technology investment portfolio has expanded. A permanent CFO with extensive experience in corporate finance and M&A could help strengthen the company's approach to capital allocation, financial planning and governance.

Why the CFO Appointment Matters for Info Edge

The role of a CFO at a technology and internet company extends well beyond traditional accounting and financial reporting. At Info Edge, the finance function is closely connected with investment decisions, acquisitions, corporate governance, investor relations, risk management and capital allocation.

Info Edge has interests across several digital businesses and has also invested in technology-driven companies. Managing such a portfolio requires careful evaluation of investments and a strong understanding of long-term financial value.

Agarwal's experience in mergers and acquisitions, business transformation and corporate governance could therefore become an important asset for Info Edge as it evaluates new opportunities and manages its existing businesses.

His experience working with large listed organisations could also help Info Edge maintain strong financial controls while continuing to pursue growth.

Info Edge's Diverse Business Portfolio

Info Edge is best known for Naukri.com, one of India's leading online recruitment platforms. However, the company's operations extend beyond the recruitment sector.

The company has businesses and interests covering recruitment, matrimony, real estate, education and related digital services. It also has a significant presence as an investor in India's technology and startup ecosystem.

This diversified structure creates both opportunities and challenges for the company's finance leadership.

While different businesses can provide multiple sources of growth, they also require disciplined financial management. The CFO must evaluate performance across businesses, assess investment opportunities, manage risks and ensure that the company's financial resources are being allocated effectively.

Strong Financial Performance Provides Positive Backdrop

Agarwal's appointment comes against the backdrop of strong financial performance for Info Edge.

For the fourth quarter of FY26, the company's standalone net profit increased 21.2% year-on-year to ₹309.13 crore. Revenue from operations rose 17.17% to ₹805.09 crore, compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

The numbers highlight the scale of the financial operations that Agarwal will oversee once he assumes the CFO position.

For Info Edge, maintaining growth while ensuring efficient capital allocation will remain important as the company continues to operate established digital platforms and participate in the broader technology ecosystem.

Focus on Financial Discipline and Capital Allocation

One of the major responsibilities for the new CFO will be ensuring that Info Edge maintains financial discipline while identifying opportunities for future growth.

Technology companies often need to make decisions involving significant investments in product development, technology, acquisitions and new businesses. For a diversified company like Info Edge, these decisions can have a direct impact on long-term shareholder value.

Agarwal's background in M&A and finance transformation could be particularly relevant in this area.

His experience could help Info Edge assess potential acquisitions and investments, evaluate financial returns and manage integration challenges when pursuing strategic opportunities.

Corporate Governance Could Become Another Key Focus

Corporate governance is another area where Agarwal's experience could benefit Info Edge.

As a listed company with a diversified business and investment portfolio, maintaining transparency and strong governance practices is critical. The CFO plays an important role in financial disclosures, regulatory compliance, risk management and communication with investors.

Agarwal's background across listed organisations and his experience in corporate governance provide a strong foundation for taking on these responsibilities.

His appointment as Whole-Time Director also means that financial considerations will have representation at the board level.

What His Experience at Cohance Lifesciences Adds

Before joining Info Edge, Agarwal was serving as Whole-Time Director and CFO at Cohance Lifesciences.

His experience there adds another layer to his profile because the role involved senior-level financial and organisational responsibilities. Prior to Cohance, he had worked with major organisations across different industries, giving him exposure to complex business structures and corporate environments.

This cross-industry experience could help him approach Info Edge's businesses from a broader strategic perspective rather than focusing exclusively on traditional financial management.

A Strategic Appointment for India's Digital Economy

Info Edge operates in sectors that are closely connected to India's rapidly growing digital economy. Recruitment, property discovery, education and online services have all undergone major changes as consumers increasingly rely on digital platforms.

At the same time, competition among technology businesses has increased, making profitability, efficiency and sustainable growth more important.

Against this backdrop, the appointment of an experienced finance leader could help Info Edge balance its growth ambitions with financial discipline.

A CFO with experience across large corporations can play a critical role in ensuring that expansion does not come at the expense of financial sustainability.

The Role of the CFO Is Becoming More Strategic

The modern CFO is increasingly involved in business strategy rather than simply managing financial statements.

For companies such as Info Edge, the CFO may be involved in areas such as:

• Capital allocation
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Investment strategy
• Financial planning
• Risk management
• Corporate governance
• Investor relations
• Business transformation
• Cost and operational efficiency

Agarwal's professional background covers several of these areas, making his appointment relevant beyond the company's accounting and reporting functions.

What Investors Will Watch Going Forward

Following the appointment, investors are likely to watch how Info Edge approaches capital allocation, investment activity and financial performance under the new CFO.

The company has a combination of established digital businesses and investments in emerging technology companies. This makes financial strategy particularly important.

Investors may also look at whether the company continues to maintain healthy profitability while investing in future growth opportunities.

However, the CFO appointment itself does not automatically indicate a change in Info Edge's broader business strategy. Instead, it represents a strengthening of the company's senior financial leadership as it enters its next phase.

Leadership Strengthening Comes at an Important Time

The appointment of Himanshu Agarwal comes as Info Edge continues to strengthen its leadership structure.

The company has been expanding beyond its traditional recruitment business and has developed a broader presence in India's internet and startup ecosystem. This evolution has increased the importance of financial oversight and strategic capital management.

By combining the CFO and Whole-Time Director responsibilities, Info Edge is placing its finance leadership closer to the company's board-level decision-making process.

What to Expect After September 17

Himanshu Agarwal is expected to formally assume the CFO role on September 17, 2026.

Once he takes charge, his immediate priorities are likely to include understanding Info Edge's diversified business portfolio, overseeing financial reporting, working with investors and management, and supporting the company's capital allocation and strategic initiatives.

While it is too early to predict specific changes to Info Edge's strategy, his background suggests that financial discipline, governance and long-term value creation could remain important areas of focus.

Conclusion

Info Edge's appointment of Himanshu Agarwal as Chief Financial Officer and Whole-Time Director marks a significant addition to the company's senior leadership team.

With more than three decades of experience in finance leadership, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and business transformation, Agarwal brings a broad corporate background to the role. His previous positions at organisations including ICI India, AstraZeneca Pharma India, AkzoNobel India, Huhtamaki and the Times Group, along with his most recent role at Cohance Lifesciences, have given him experience across multiple industries.

For Info Edge, the appointment comes at a time when the company is managing a diversified digital business portfolio and technology investments while maintaining strong financial performance.

As Agarwal takes charge on September 17, the focus will now shift toward how his financial expertise contributes to capital allocation, governance, investment decisions and sustainable growth at Info Edge.

The appointment is therefore not simply a change in the company's CFO position. It represents an opportunity for Info Edge to strengthen its financial leadership as it continues to navigate India's rapidly evolving digital and technology landscape.

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