Sony Pictures Networks India Appoints Amit Mehta as Chief Human Resources Officer

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Amit Mehta as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective October 1, 2026, bringing an experienced HR leader with more than 16 years of experience into a key organisational role.

Mehta will lead SPNI’s People & Organisation function, Administration and Facilities and will join the company’s Senior Management Team. He will succeed Manu Wadhwa, who will continue working with the organisation as Strategy Advisor.

In his new role, Mehta will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership on talent strategy, succession planning, leadership development, culture, employee experience and organisational effectiveness.

Moving from upGrad to SPNI

Mehta joins SPNI from upGrad, where he served as Chief Human Resources Officer.

At the education technology company, he led the people agenda within a high-growth, founder-led environment. His responsibilities included strengthening leadership effectiveness, building organisational capabilities and supporting transformation initiatives.

His experience at upGrad gave him exposure to the people and organisational challenges associated with scaling a rapidly expanding business.

More than a decade at Hindustan Unilever

Before joining upGrad, Mehta spent over 14 years with Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL).

His most recent role at the company was HR Head – Home Care & Leadership Development, South Asia. During his tenure, he held several leadership assignments across talent and leadership development, employer branding, organisation design and business HR.

His business HR experience included working with functions such as sales, marketing and digital commerce, giving him an understanding of how people strategy can be aligned with commercial and operational priorities.

The combination of experience at a large, established consumer organisation and a high-growth technology business forms a key part of Mehta’s professional background.

Mandate across people, culture and organisation

At SPNI, Mehta’s role will extend beyond traditional HR operations.

He will partner with the CEO and Senior Management Team on areas including talent and succession, leadership development, culture, employee experience and organisational effectiveness.

A major focus will be developing the capabilities required to support SPNI’s next phase of growth. This includes strengthening leadership pipelines, building an agile organisation and ensuring that employee and organisational priorities remain connected to business objectives.

His responsibility for Administration and Facilities will also bring together people-related priorities with the broader employee and workplace experience.

Leadership transition at SPNI

SPNI’s leadership transition follows Manu Wadhwa’s tenure as CHRO. Wadhwa will remain associated with the company in the role of Strategy Advisor, allowing the organisation to retain her experience and institutional knowledge.

Welcoming Mehta, Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, highlighted the value of his experience across both a large corporate environment and a founder-led, high-growth organisation.

Banerjee also emphasised the importance of leadership capability, culture and employee experience in SPNI’s future growth plans.

Academic background

Mehta is an alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur, where he completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources.

He also holds a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology from VJTI Mumbai.

His academic background, combined with experience across business HR, talent development and organisational transformation, has shaped his approach to working with business leaders on people and growth priorities.

Building a future-ready organisation

Mehta’s appointment comes at a time when organisations across industries are placing greater emphasis on leadership agility, employee experience and organisational capability.

For SPNI, his mandate will focus on strengthening the people function while supporting the company’s broader business direction.

With experience across consumer goods, education technology and organisational transformation, Mehta brings a diverse perspective to the role. His immediate priorities will include building talent pipelines, strengthening leadership development, supporting culture and ensuring that SPNI remains equipped for its next stage of growth.