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)
Ms. Nandini Mehta is the Chief Human Resource Officer of Metro Brands Limited and joined the organization in August 2021. She is an accomplished HR leader with over two decades of experience in Indian and international retail, with particular depth in business HR, talent, and culture-building for large, multi-format organizations.
Most recently, she was with the Landmark Group, where she headed Business HR for Max Div for 11 years and, in the last year and half, led HR for Lifestyle and Group Functions, while driving key DEI initiatives across the portfolio. In these roles, she has worked closely with CXOs and business leaders on organization restructuring, manpower planning, performance and rewards, and leadership development, ensuring HR remains tightly aligned to commercial priorities.
She is known for her strategic yet practical approach, adept in setting up HR processes and policies, and her ability to translate culture and DEI aspirations into simple, implementable practices on the ground.
Ms. 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.
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
Mr. Mohit Dhanjal
Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Mohit Dhanjal is the Chief Operating Officer of Metro Brands Limited and joined the organization on 1st August 2024. He brings over three decades of extensive experience in the fashion and lifestyle retail industry, with a strong track record of driving business growth and operational excellence. Mr. Dhanjal has held key leadership roles across leading organizations and has been instrumental in building and scaling retail businesses across diverse formats.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Retail, where he played a pivotal role in building and scaling Tira Beauty in the premium segment. Over the course of his career, he has worked with reputed organizations such as Sephora (Arvind Fashions), Raymond Limited, and Hindustan Unilever, contributing significantly to business transformation and growth.
Mr. Dhanjal is known for his strong focus on operational rigor, customer-centricity, and building high-performance teams. In his current role, he is focused on strengthening execution capabilities and driving the next phase of growth for Metro Brands.
Mr. Jitendra Mangave is the Chief Information and Technology Officer at Metro Brands Limited, having joined the organization on 10 April 2025. He brings over 28 years of experience in IT strategy, digital transformation, and enterprise technology leadership.
Prior to Metro Brands, he held senior leadership roles at Landmark Group, Future Group, SAP, Bajaj Auto, and Raymond, bringing cross-industry experience across retail, automotive, and manufacturing. He has led large-scale transformation programs, including SAP implementations, cloud adoption, and the deployment of enterprise solutions across retail and manufacturing environments, covering POS, WMS, CRM, e-commerce, and analytics platforms.
At Metro Brands, he is responsible for driving the company’s technology agenda, with a focus on enhancing customer experience across channels, building agile and future-ready platforms, and enabling data-driven growth. He plays a key role in advancing Metro Brands’ omnichannel capabilities and strengthening its position as a digitally enabled retail leader.
He advocates agility, ownership, and continuous improvement in building high-performing technology organizations.
Mr. Jitendra Mangave
Chief Information and Technology Officer
Mr. Harshvardhan Chauhan
Chief Marketing Officer
Mr. Harshvardhan Chauhan is the Chief Marketing Officer of Metro Brands Limited and joined the organization on 23rd February 2026. He brings over 18 years of experience across Retail, FMCG, Fashion, Lifestyle, eCommerce, and D2C, with a strong track record of building and scaling consumer businesses through brand-led and digital-first strategies.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, Mr. Chauhan has held leadership roles at organizations including RPSG Group, Trident Group, DLF Shopping Malls, ShopClues, Godrej Group, ITC, and Accenture. He has led large consumer businesses and driven digital transformation initiatives, combining brand strategy with performance marketing and omnichannel execution.
He has successfully revitalized legacy brands, scaled D2C businesses to ₹500 Cr+ ARR, and driven strong omnichannel growth through data-led marketing and performance excellence. His experience spans building full-funnel marketing ecosystems, enhancing customer engagement, and delivering measurable business outcomes.
In his current role, Mr. Chauhan is responsible for leading all marketing initiatives across Metro, Mochi, Walkway, and digital platforms including CRM, PR, and visual merchandising. He is focused on strengthening brand salience, deepening consumer engagement, and driving the next phase of growth for Metro Brands.
Mr. Chauhan is an alumnus of prestigious institutions including Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (OAMLP.) He also holds an MBA and a B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering.
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
Mr. Ariff Bham
Business Head, Sports Division
Mr. Ariff Bham is the Business Head, Sports Division at Metro Brands Limited, having joined the organization on 4 November 2025. He brings over a decade of experience in premium and luxury retail, with a strong track record of building and scaling global brands in India across the lifestyle, fashion, and home segments.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, Mr. Bham spent more than 12 years with Reliance Brands Limited, where he held a range of leadership roles and played a key part in launching and growing international brands such as Brooks Brothers, Salvatore Ferragamo, West Elm, and Pottery Barn. He began his career on the shop floor at Diesel, giving him a strong grounding in retail operations and a deep understanding of consumer behaviour.
In his current role, Mr. Bham leads key growth businesses within the Sports Division at Metro Brands. He is focused on driving strategic expansion, strengthening brand partnerships, and building a differentiated customer experience across channels, while helping shape the company’s presence in the fast-growing sports and athleisure segment.
Mr. Sukhminder Singh Lamba is the Business Head – FitFlop at Metro Brands Limited and joined the organization on 2nd March 2020. He brings over 14 years of experience in e-commerce, retail, business management, and strategic planning, with strong expertise in P&L management, B2B and B2C sales, and seller & selection acquisition.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, Mr. Lamba has worked with leading organizations including Flipkart, Amazon, Channellay Limited (Alibaba), and Info Edge Ltd., where he built strong capabilities across e-commerce operations, business development, and program management.
Over the course of his career, he has successfully set up and scaled multiple e-commerce programs, leading end-to-end execution across planning, development, launch, and performance optimization. He has a proven track record of delivering profitable growth through strong execution, cross-functional collaboration, and effective stakeholder management.
In his current role, Mr. Lamba is responsible for leading the FitFlop business at Metro Brands, with a focus on expanding it physical and digital presence, strengthening partnerships, and driving sustainable growth across channels.
Mr. Sukhminder Singh Lamba
Business Head, FitFlop
Mr. Heman Malhotra
Business Head, FILA
Mr. Heman Malhotra serves as the Business Head – FILA at Metro Brands Limited, having joined the organization on 21st October 2024. With over two decades of experience, he brings deep expertise in channel development, retail operations, and overall business management across diverse formats including e-commerce, exclusive brand outlets, and distribution networks.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, Mr. Malhotra has held leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Zivame, Nike, and Vodafone. Throughout his career, he has successfully led initiatives focused on expanding market presence, strengthening channel performance, and driving sustained business growth.
He is recognized as a strategic and results-driven leader with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. His ability to build high-performing teams, cultivate strong partnerships, and execute effectively has been instrumental in delivering consistent business outcomes.
In his current role, Mr. Malhotra leads the FILA business at Metro Brands, with a focus on enhancing brand presence, expanding channel reach, and driving sustainable growth across markets.
Mr. Rahul Agarwal is the Business Head – Metro at Metro Brands Limited and joined the organization on 28th April 2025. He brings over two decades of experience in the retail industry, with strong expertise in driving business growth, operations, merchandising, and customer experience across large-scale retail formats.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, Mr. Agarwal has held leadership roles at national & international level with reputed organizations including Bata Malaysia, Bata India & Bata Bolivia, where he played a key role in leading business operations and driving category growth. Over the years, he has built strong capabilities in Retail strategy, Network Expansion, store operations, merchandising, and team building & leadership, contributing to sustained & profitable business performance.
In his current role, Mr. Agarwal is responsible for leading the Metro business, with a focus on strengthening market presence, enhancing customer experience, and driving profitable growth. He works closely across functions to ensure effective execution and continued expansion of the brand.
Mr. Rahul Agarwal
Business Head, Metro
Mr. Nishitosh Nand
Business Head, Crocs
Mr. Nishitosh Nand is the Business Head – Crocs at Metro Brands Limited, having joined the organization on 31st October 2022. He brings over 20 years of rich experience in the retail and fashion industry, with a strong track record of leading businesses, building brands, and driving profitable growth.
Prior to joining Metro Brands Limited, Nishitosh was associated with Future Lifestyle Fashions Limited as Brand Head – Scullers, and with Future Retail Limited, where he managed large-format businesses across Men’s and Women’s categories. He has also worked as a Strategy Consultant with Technopak Advisors in the Retail and CPG domain, where he worked on a range of strategy and implementation engagements.
Nishitosh brings extensive experience across business management, category leadership, retail & consumer strategy, and brand development, and has been instrumental in scaling businesses in competitive consumer markets.
In his current role, Nishitosh is responsible for leading the Crocs business in India, with a focus on accelerating brand growth, expanding market presence, enhancing consumer engagement, and delivering long-term profitable growth.
Mr. Mukesh Bhatia is the Business Head – Shoe Depot at Metro Brands Limited and joined the organization on 15th April 2024. He brings over 22 years of extensive experience in retail operations, business strategy, and driving growth in highly competitive market environments.
Prior to joining Metro Brands, Mr. Bhatia was associated with Mystique Group, where he led growth and retail excellence initiatives, contributing to business expansion, operational efficiency, and enhanced customer experience. He has also worked with reputed organizations such as Bata India Limited, where he managed retail operations for premium brands like Hush Puppies.
Over the course of his career, he has demonstrated strong capabilities in P&L management, business turnaround, and building high-performing teams. He has consistently driven business growth, improved profitability, and strengthened operational frameworks across retail formats.
In his current role, Mr. Bhatia is responsible for leading the Shoe Depot business at Metro Brands, with a focus on expanding market presence, optimizing operations, and driving sustainable and profitable growth.
Mr. Mukesh Bhatia
Business Head, Shoe Depot