Google Appoints Preeti Lobana as India Business Lead
Google has recently announced the appointment of Preeti Lobana as the new leader of its India business. Lobana, who previously served as the vice president of advertising technology at Google, will be taking over a crucial role that had been vacant since Sanjay Gupta’s promotion to Asia-Pacific president in July.
Lobana’s appointment comes at a time when Google is focusing on expanding its AI products in India amidst growing competition in the digital market. Having joined Google in 2016, Lobana brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.
India holds significant importance for Google as one of its key overseas markets. The tech giant has invested billions in initiatives aimed at bringing millions of Indians online and in digitizing local businesses. In 2020, Google committed to investing an additional $10 billion in India, highlighting the country’s strategic importance.
However, Google is also facing increasing regulatory challenges in India. The company was fined $162 million in 2022 for alleged anti-competitive practices related to its Android platform. Subsequently, Google faced another penalty of $113 million for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the Google Play Store, which is widely used in India.
Most recently, the Indian antitrust regulator launched an investigation into Google’s in-app billing policies, accusing the tech giant of unfair and discriminatory practices. These regulatory challenges underscore the complex landscape Google operates in India.
With Lobana taking the helm of Google’s India business, Roma Datta Chobey, who served as interim chief, will resume her role in running the company’s digital business unit. Lobana’s diverse background, which includes experience in banking at institutions like NatWest, American Express, and Standard Chartered, positions her well to lead Google’s operations in India.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Lobana expressed her excitement about the opportunities that AI presents for businesses. She emphasized the transformative potential of AI in boosting productivity, addressing critical challenges, and fostering innovation.
