Celio India is entering a new era. After eight years under the leadership of CEO Satyen Momaya, the French menswear brand is reshaping its top team to lead the brand through its next phase of expansion and innovation. In a major leadership announcement, François Gomez has been named Chief Operating Officer, while Nidhi Raj joins as Chief Brand Officer. These two appointments come at a critical moment as Celio deepens its presence in the Indian retail landscape and strengthens its omnichannel capabilities.
Satyen Momaya’s tenure was marked by notable growth. Under his guidance, Celio India saw increases in revenue, a larger retail footprint, and a shift towards more digital-first operations. His departure paves the way for new leadership that brings both global insight and deep local expertise.
François Gomez is no stranger to Celio or to India. Having served as International Zonal Director for key regions including Asia, the Middle East, South America, and French Overseas Territories, Gomez brings unmatched institutional knowledge and cross-market agility. Now returning to India in a new capacity, he is set to oversee operations, strategy, and alignment across teams. His understanding of complex markets and ability to bring cohesion across international teams makes him a strong fit to guide Celio India’s operational momentum.
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Speaking about his return, Gomez shared that coming back to India holds personal significance in his professional journey. He emphasized the importance of combining product, people, and purpose to build long-term performance. With a focus on empowering local teams and executing with precision, Gomez aims to evolve Celio’s operations to match both global standards and local expectations.
Joining him in leadership is Nidhi Raj, appointed as Chief Brand Officer. Raj comes with more than eighteen years of experience in the retail and fashion industry. Her new role will see her leading product, design, marketing, and branding efforts for Celio in India. With a sharp eye for trends and a strong understanding of consumer behavior, Raj is expected to inject fresh creative energy into the brand and help it resonate even more strongly with fashion-conscious Indian men.
Her leadership is particularly significant at a time when brand experience is becoming just as important as product quality. Raj’s background suggests a deep focus on building emotionally resonant brand narratives and campaigns that reflect evolving lifestyle preferences. In a market like India where fashion is rapidly changing, this could be key to expanding Celio’s influence.
Manoj Bathija, who currently heads sales and operations for Celio India, will continue to lead the retail and store network. His role remains vital in ensuring smooth execution across stores and maintaining the brand’s consistency at every customer touchpoint. With a strong focus on omnichannel integration, Bathija’s ongoing leadership supports the company’s wider strategy to create a seamless shopping experience both online and offline.
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The Celio head office in France has expressed full confidence in the new India leadership team. According to the company, this transition marks a new chapter of opportunity. The brand is committed to providing strong support to its Indian operations and believes the new leadership will continue building on the strengths that have made Celio a trusted name in men’s fashion.
As Celio continues to evolve its India playbook, all signs point to a brand that is ready to scale with purpose. Backed by a leadership team that blends international expertise with a deep understanding of Indian consumers, Celio is gearing up to compete in an increasingly dynamic fashion market.
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