Apollo hires new Netherlands-based CTO

Dr. Seshu Bhagavathula has been appointed Apollo Tyres Ltd’s new chief technology officer, and at the same time inducted into the company’s Management Board. He will be based at Apollo’s global R&D centre in Enschede, the Netherlands and lead global initiatives in the areas of tyre technology, research and new product development, for both passenger and commercial vehicle tyres. He will be assisted by the tyre maker’s research, technology and design teams across all regions.

“As we focus on the two key pillars of Marketing and Technology for the next phase of our growth, Dr. Seshu, with his vast experience, will bring in the much needed synergy across locations,” said Neeraj Kanwar, vice-chairman and managing director, Apollo Tyres Ltd. “He would also help us in providing intelligent automotive solutions to our customers. His appointment further strengthens Apollo’s Leadership Team and gives the company’s growth agenda an added impetus.”

Seshu’s last assignment was with Great Wall Motor Company in China, where he served as the vice-president of research and development. Prior to this, he had spent a significant part of his career with Daimler AG at multiple locations, where he was responsible for product development and integration of engineering processes. Having worked in the automotive industry, both in commercial and passenger vehicle segments, his core areas of professional expertise has been in research and development, innovation and strategic analysis.

“I am excited by this opportunity and impressed by the possibilities the future holds with Apollo Tyres,” commented Dr. Seshu. “I am positive that we will be able to bring out competitive products to address the requirements of our global customers.”