Arun Srinivas: The Man Behind Meta India’s New Era

In today's rapidly evolving digital age, leadership is not always a linear journey. At times, it makes its way through uncharted turns with moments that forge not only careers but character.

Arun Srinivas personifies this thought. He did not start out in tech, nor did he come from the usual startup experience. Rather, he constructed his journey slowly, with intention, and with an acute sense of purpose. On 1 July 2025, he will become one of the most powerful voices in Indian tech as Managing Director and Head of Meta India.

What is most intriguing about his odyssey is not where he ended up, but how he got there.

Early Days: A Curious Mind at Work

Hailing from Chennai, Arun started his education with Physics at the University of Madras. It was a subject based on logic and problem-solving, which would come in handy in some unforeseen ways. As his interest in consumers and people grew, he decided to study marketing at IIM Calcutta. Subsequently, he honed his strategic mind through a course at the Kellogg School of Management.

Arun joined Hindustan Unilever (HUL), a company famous for developing leaders, in 2001. For the next 16 years, he played multiple roles within the South Asian region. As Category Vice President, Foods, he oversaw popular brands such as Knorr, Lakmé, Fair & Lovely, and Vaseline. He operated across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, learning about various cultures and markets.

Arun was not only driving products during this period. He was assembling teams, developing stories, and establishing trust within some of the most fast-paced and diverse consumer settings.

A New Direction

Arun could have gone on to climb higher in the business corporate ladder by 2017. Instead, he changed his course and became an Operating Advisor at WestBridge Capital. This was a major shift. He transitioned from operating businesses to guiding and supporting them. He had close working relationships with companies such as Vini Cosmetics and Enrich Salons, guiding them through growth and scaling in a responsible manner.

This stage made him think otherwise, from execution to strategy, and from operations to investments.

Growing with Ola

Arun joined Ola in 2019 as Chief Operating Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer. Arun led the India business and international expansion of Ola. Within a short time, Ola became London's second-largest ride-hailing platform. This was evidence of Arun's prowess in scaling businesses in new markets at speed and accuracy.

The Meta Chapter Begins

His move to Meta in 2020 was his foray into the world of technology. Initially, he headed Meta's Global Business Group in India, dealing with major advertisers and agencies. Subsequently, as the Ads Business head, he contributed to the growth of Meta in a major way.

By FY24, ad revenue of Meta India had increased by 24 percent to INR 22,730 crore, with net profits reaching INR 505 crore. All of this was led by Arun's concentration on AI-driven advertising, short-video strategies with Reels, and intensifying WhatsApp's business integrations with top Indian brands.

What Lies Ahead

Arun enters now a high-stakes assignment. India is Meta's most significant market. As demand increases for digital products, creator monetization, and commerce through messaging, there is enormous potential. Yet, challenges regarding regulation and data privacy are very real.

And if anyone is ready for this, it is Arun. He has corporate background, but along with that, he also has empathy. He has the ability to look ahead and think about future implications. He also has a calm sense of mission.

Final Thoughts

Arun Srinivas’s story is not about jumping on trends or chasing titles. It is about building steadily, learning constantly, and staying grounded. His path from Chennai to the top of Meta India is a reminder that good leadership is built on trust, resilience, and curiosity.

And as Meta prepares to shape the next digital chapter in India, it has found a leader who knows how to turn complexity into opportunity.