Introducing heart, mind and soul of Metro Brands Ltd.
Leadership Team
Mr Malik Tejani
Founder
Metro Brands started with a vision, a vision to create the best footwear destination in India. He started as a humble salesman in a store at Grant Road. When the owner emigrated at the time of the partition, he took a loan and bought the store. Eventually, he sold that store and bought one which was close to what is currently our flagship store in Colaba Causeway. Ever charismatic and the best salesman, he knew how to greet his customers in 32 languages. He never let anyone leave the store without a purchase and customers coming to the store remember him to this day. He was never too far from his customers and used to sit at the cash counter of the Colaba showroom well into his 70s.
Mr. Rafique A. Malik is the Chairman of Metro Brands Limited, a pivotal role he assumed on 19th January 1977. A distinguished alumnus of Harvard University, Mr. Malik’s indelible mark on the organization is synonymous with unwavering commitment and visionary leadership, steering Metro Brands Limited to unparalleled success.
Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in the retail industry, Mr. Malik has become a stalwart in Indian footwear retail. His tenacity and ambition have propelled a modest single-store operation into one of India’s largest and most profitable fashion footwear companies.
Under Mr. Malik’s astute guidance, Metro Brands has grown into a formidable house of brands, with over 800 stores located across India. The diverse and robust portfolio under the Metro Brands umbrella reflects his foresight and strategic acumen, encompassing iconic Indian names like Metro Shoes, Mochi, as well as international sensations such as Foot Locker, Crocs, FitFlop, and Fila.
Throughout this journey, Mr. Malik’s pillar of support has always been his life partner, Mrs. Aziza Malik.
Mr. Rafique Malik
Chairman
Farah Malik Bhanji
Managing Director
Ms. Farah Malik Bhanji is the Managing Director on the Board of Metro Brands Limited. She began her journey with the company in 2000, navigating through diverse roles and responsibilities to ascend to the position of MD. A distinguished alumna of the University of Texas at Austin, her commitment to continuous learning is evident through her participation in the Owner/President Program at the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Business.
With over two decades of invaluable experience in retail, Ms. Bhanji has emerged as a visionary force, reshaping Metro Brands Limited for the modern age.
Armed with formidable business acumen, an attention to detail, and a keen eye for fashion, Ms. Bhanji has spearheaded Metro Brands into the era of modern retailing. Her resolute focus on technological advancement, data-driven decision-making, and pioneering adoption of AI technologies is not just a strategy but a drive for excellence. Her strategic leadership has solidified relationships with Metro Brands’ extensive 250+ vendor base and has been instrumental in expanding the store network from 100 stores in 2010 to an impressive 800 stores across India. She has also fostered an environment conducive to the professional advancement of its employees.
Mr. Nissan Joseph has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Metro Brands Limited since 1st July 2021. He brings over 22 years of brand management expertise across 20 countries, including the US, Australia, South Korea, and India. Mr. Joseph has led various retail brands across the globe, including Foot Action, Payless Shoes, Crocs, and Planet Sports.
He holds an MBA in International Business from Western Sydney University. Mr. Joseph took on the role of CEO with a vision to build upon many years of financial discipline and operational rigor while expanding the magic of Metro. He is an energetic and passionate leader, eager to drive the business into its next stage of growth. He has also played a key role in launching, managing, and growing global brands.
Mr. Joseph’s vision for the company is to ‘Get Everyone on Their Feet.’ He lives and works by the motto, ‘Let’s get this show on the road.’
Mr. Nissan Joseph
Chief Executive Officer
Sohel Kamdar
Chief Operating Officer
Our Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Sohel Kamdar, has been a part of the Metro family for over 15 years. He has been associated with our organization since February 16, 2005. Before joining Metro Brands, he was working with Jamani Investments Limited.
Mr. Sohel simply abides by the quote, ‘The sky is the limit.’ His enthusiastic, influential, and positive attitude has always helped the organization achieve new heights. His determination has always been motivating to Metro and it will continue to do so. He has been a key in growing the store network across the country.
Ms. Alisha Rafique Malik
Whole-time Director and President
Ms. Alisha Rafique Malik has been a Whole-time Director on the Board of Metro Brands Limited, effective 1st September 2024.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Arts (Finance) from the University of Northumbria, conducted at the Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research. Ms. Malik has been associated with Metro Brands Limited since 2009, where she has been a key architect in introducing new ideas and strategies for the organization’s growth. She developed an outstanding business growth strategy focused on e-commerce, omnichannel, and new-age marketing. Ms. Malik is the driving force behind Metro’s growing digital presence and has led from the front as President, E-Commerce & Marketing. She has now taken on the challenge of steering the company into the sports and athleisure segment by overseeing the sports division, which includes brands such as Foot Locker, Fila, Proline, and New Era.
The journey has been unique and challenging, but under Ms. Malik’s leadership and supervision, Metro Brands has launched the e-commerce platforms for Metro, Mochi, and Walkway, while establishing a strong presence on India’s seven major e-commerce marketplaces. She abides by the motto, ‘The only thing constant is change.’
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Deepa Sood
Vice President (Legal)
Nandini Mehta has been serving as the passionate Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) of Metro Brands Limited since August 2021. With nearly two decades of experience in people management and engagement, she thrives in a culture where people strategies align with business and organizational goals.
Her vision for the company is to make Metro Brands Limited a great place to work. Over the last few months, Mrs. Mehta’s highly motivated team has been committed to onboarding great talent and delivering outstanding results.
Nandini Mehta
Chief Human Resource Officer
Kaushal Parekh
Chief Financial Officer
Kaushal Parekh joined Metro Brands Limited in March 2012 and has been serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the company since May 2020. He brings over two decades of experience in diverse fields of finance, accounting, auditing, taxation, mergers & acquisitions, and more.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Financial Accounting and Auditing and is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Prior to joining Metro Brands Limited, he worked in the consulting space with reputable firms like PwC, Ernst & Young, and N. M. Raiji.
Mr. Parekh took on the role with a vision to establish and maintain high standards of financial discipline and strong controls within the organization. He is a young, energetic, and passionate leader who thrives on taking on challenges and delivering in demanding environments.
Mr. Parekh’s vision is to leverage financial data to influence strategic decision-making and create greater value for the company.
Rajgopal Nayak is a seasoned and accomplished IT professional with over 20 years of diverse experience in business analysis, strategic planning, IT governance, and system development. He began working with Metro Brands Limited in May 2020, taking on the responsibility of overseeing the development and implementation of technology to enhance and grow Metro Brands’ business.
Mr. Nayak’s vision for the organization is to transform Metro Brands Limited into a technology-driven company. Under his leadership, his team is highly motivated to drive change by adopting new strategies. He is enthusiastic about leading this transformation with a clear vision of what needs to be achieved.
Rajgopal Narasimha Nayak
Chief Technology Officer
Amit Kumar
Senior Vice President – Buying & Merchandising (Metro and Mochi)
Amit Kumar, our Senior Vice President – Buying & Merchandising (Metro and Mochi), joined Metro Brands in October 2023. With 27 years of diverse experience, Amit brings expertise in merchandising, buying, brand management, operations, and strategic business development. He has made significant contributions to several top-tier enterprises, including Arvind Brands Limited, Levi Strauss, and Future Group.
A NIFT graduate and accomplished leader in the retail and fashion industry, with a key focus on fashion apparel, footwear, and accessories, Amit has contributed to both offline and online retail. He has managed international and national brands and played a pivotal role in creating private labels for fast-fashion retailers. Amit has successfully navigated large-scale operations and periods of hyper-growth in Indian retail. A true team player, he believes in a highly collaborative approach to formulating and executing strategic plans that drive growth.
As we prepare for the next level of growth, Amit is nurturing our rich heritage, tacit product knowledge, and building scalable processes around them. “Crafting excellence, driving efficiency, and setting trends” — this is Amit’s vision to propel Metro Brands to unprecedented heights of success.
Aashish Mashruwala joined Metro Brands Limited in November 2011, where he successfully managed projects for almost three years before serving as Business Head (Crocs) for another three years. He retired in January 2019, having contributed across various functions, including business development and retail supply chain management. After a stint at ECCO Shoes, Aashish rejoined MBL as the Brand Head for Metro Brands Limited in October 2020.
Aashish’s vision for Metro Shoes is to preserve the brand’s legacy while transforming it into a future-ready entity. He is passionately working towards establishing Metro Shoes as a leading brand for the next generation. Aashish leads a team of experienced, passionate, and hard-working professionals, fostering an open and encouraging environment where two-way feedback is key.
An enthusiastic leader, Aashish is always excited to tackle new challenges. In the retail business, each day brings new opportunities, and that’s what makes it exciting for him.
Aashish Mashruwala
Chief Transformation Officer
Business Heads
Amir Hamid is currently the Brand Head of Mochi at Metro Brands Limited. He began his journey with Metro Brands in 1992, completing 29 years of managerial expertise within the organization. Having grown from a store salesman to the Brand Head of one of our fastest-growing brands, Amir truly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of Metro Brands Ltd. He is a testament to the belief that, with passion and vision, anything is possible.
Amir began leading Mochi with the goal of making it a youth-centric brand that, given its quality, customer service, and range, will soon be perceived as an international brand. Amir firmly believes that a company succeeds by helping others succeed. He also adheres to the principle that teamwork begins by building trust.
Amir Hamid
Business Head of Mochi Shoes
Manoj Singh
Business Head of Walkway Shoes
Manoj Singh has headed the Walkway business since 2017. He brings nearly 26 years of experience in devising and executing business strategies aimed at increasing revenue.
He took on the leadership of the brand with a vision to dominate the mass and economic segments by providing quality fashion footwear at an affordable price. Throughout his career, Manoj has worn many hats. He has streamlined the business plan as a key strategist and planner, expanded the retail and franchise network, and nurtured his vendor base, ensuring a robust supply chain.
Manoj describes his team as energetic, focused, and result-oriented. He fosters an environment of open communication, encouraging frequent and clear interactions. Manoj Singh believes in learning something new every day.
Mr. Maulik Desai has been an integral part of the organization since 2019, currently serving as Senior Vice President – Strategic Brands. In this role, he manages the business of renowned brands like Crocs, Fitflop, Biofoot, and several external brands within Metro and Mochi stores.
With 27 years of diverse experience, Maulik brings expertise in Strategic business management, Sales & Operations & Business Development. He has played pivotal roles with leading brands like Crossword Bookstores, FBB, Holii, Etam & Pantaloon. He started his career in the FMCG industry with Godrej, where he laid the foundation for his impressive career trajectory.
Known for his result-oriented approach, Maulik is a dynamic and proactive professional, always driving towards achieving business goals. His go-getter attitude and strong people skills have made him a respected leader. Maulik’s ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution has played a key role in his achievements in the organization.
Maulik Desai
Senior Vice President – Strategic Brands