Wagh Bakri Appoints Former Bira 91 Executive Swayampriya Shah as CHRO

Wagh Bakri Tea Group has appointed Swayampriya Shah as its Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), strengthening its leadership team as the company sharpens its focus on workforce capability and organisational transformation.

Shah joins the Ahmedabad-headquartered tea major after more than seven years at Bira 91, where she held multiple senior HR leadership roles. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President – HR and Administration, overseeing talent strategy, leadership development and HR operations during a period of rapid expansion for the craft beer brand.

At Wagh Bakri, Shah will lead the company’s people strategy, talent development initiatives and transformation agenda. Her mandate includes building scalable HR systems, strengthening leadership capability and aligning organisational culture with the company’s growth ambitions.

In a LinkedIn post announcing her appointment, Shah expressed enthusiasm about shaping a “progressive people agenda” and fostering a culture that balances performance with purpose.

Her move comes at a time when legacy consumer brands are investing more heavily in structured talent frameworks and leadership pipelines to navigate evolving market dynamics and workforce expectations. As companies scale operations and diversify portfolios, HR leadership is becoming central to sustaining long-term competitiveness.

During her tenure at Bira 91, Shah played a key role in institutionalising HR processes and driving organisational restructuring to support business growth. She was instrumental in developing talent management systems and leadership programmes suited to a fast-growing consumer enterprise.

Earlier in her career, Shah held senior HR roles at Cohne & Wolfe Six Degrees PR and CMGRP India, where she led the HR and talent function for Weber Shandwick in India. She has also worked with Beam Suntory and Text100 (now Archetype), gaining cross-industry experience in employer branding, organisational development and strategic HR management.

An MBA in Human Resources from FORE School of Management, New Delhi, Shah brings over a decade of experience across consumer goods, communications and beverage sectors.

For Wagh Bakri Tea Group, one of India’s oldest and most established tea brands, the appointment signals continued emphasis on strengthening internal capability as it scales operations. Shah’s immediate priority is expected to focus on embedding a cohesive and forward-looking people framework that supports growth while preserving the company’s long-standing values and heritage.