A serial entrepreneur with a reputation of stablishing several pioneering businesses globally. Erstwhile Chairman and co-owner of Adelie Foods ,London.
Previously In 2007, Ravi launched Special Purpose Acquisition Vehicle (SPAC) – India Hospitality Corp. (IHC), a consumer-focused platform that raised $175mm on London’s Alternate Investment Market (AIM). IHC in turn acquired a portfolio of operating Food and Hospitality businesses in India. These included SkyGourmet (Air Catering), Mars Restaurants (restaurant brands), and Gordon House (boutique hotels). SkyGourmet under Ravi’s leadership, before long became India’s largest catering company, and was bought-out by global market leader, Swiss giant Gategroup AG in 2011.
In 2006, Ravi created India’s first global retail joint-venture between Bharti and Wal-Mart. This broke new ground for global retail giants entering then restricted Indian retail market.
Ravi is eponymous as the ‘coffee man of India’. In an pioneering attempt, he founded Barista Coffee in late 1999. The orange Barista cafés rapidly became iconic retail landmarks across India. Barista was popularly referred to as India’s Starbucks. For the first time aspiring Indian consumers experienced café bars, thus drawing them to high streets. After rapid scale and enormous success, Barista was acquired by Tata Beverages in 2005 and was later owned by Lavazza S.p.A. of Italy.
Earlier in his professional working career Ravi held various senior level global positions with Coca Cola and Wipro Consumer Products.
In 2002, Ravi won the prestigious ‘Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year’ award. He is an alumnus of London Business School and a member of Young President Organization. Ravi lives with his family in London and splits time between U.K. and India.
