Uber has hired former Tata Group executive Madhu Kannan as Chief Business Officer for the company’s India and emerging markets operations. At Uber, Madhu will be responsible for handling the company’s core business operations in India as well as across new emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region, through strategic partnerships and investment opportunities. According to his Linkedin profile, Kannan previously worked with Tata Sons as Group Head for the company’s Business Development and Public Affairs operations for more than 4 years. He also held the role of CEO for Bombay Stock Exchange for 3 years, MD at Merrill Lynch for a year, and MD at New York Stock Exchange for 3 years. Eric Alexander, President of Business, Asia Pacific of Uber said that Kannan’s appointment will help the company “continue to invest and grow our presence and unlock the full potential of ride-sharing in the region". Kannan could be largely focusing on ride-sharing initiatives at Uber India. Currently, the ride-sharing option is at jeopardy in Bangalore as it was recently termed “illegal” by the Karnataka State Transport Commissioner. Transport Commissioner MK Aiyappa reportedly said that (Uber’s and Ola’s) contract permit only allows for picking and dropping off customers from start to destination with no stops in the middle during the entire trip. Ola Share and UberPOOL rides are instead permissible under the stage carriage permit that allows companies to charge based on stages of a trip, he added.
