Aakash Educational Services Names Deepak Mehrotra as MD and CEO

• ByStartupStory     |    April 8, 2024

BYJU’S-owned test prep giant Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) has appointed Deepak Mehrotra as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the departure of former CEO Abhishek Maheshwari six months ago. The announcement comes alongside the exit of Vipan Joshi, AESL’s Chief Financial Officer, prompting the establishment of an executive council to address these key vacancies.

Mehrotra, a seasoned leader with an illustrious track record spanning over 35 years in FMCG, telecom, and education sectors, steps into leadership at AESL during a crucial juncture. His appointment reflects BYJU’S commitment to bolster AESL’s growth trajectory amidst challenges facing its parent company.

Byju Raveendran, Founder and Chairman of BYJU’S, expressed confidence in Mehrotra’s ability to lead AESL into its next phase of growth, stating, “In his role as CEO, he will be responsible to deliver on our aggressive growth plan and to build on the significant momentum the company is currently experiencing. His business acumen and stellar record as the managing director for Pearson India will be pivotal in leading Aakash BYJU’S into its next phase of growth and impact.”

With over three decades of experience in executive roles across various industries, Mehrotra brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to drive AESL’s strategic vision, enhance offerings, and expand its reach. Prior to joining AESL, he served as the Managing Director at Ashirvad Pipes and held pivotal positions at Pearson India, Bharti Airtel, Coca-Cola, and Asian Paints.

Aakash Educational Services Limited boasts a network of over 310 centers nationwide, offering preparation services for medical and engineering entrance examinations, school board exams, as well as competitive tests like NTSE and Olympiad. Currently, AESL serves more than 400,000 enrolled students.

However, amidst its growth ambitions, BYJU’S faces challenges, including an arbitration initiated by billionaire doctor Ranjan Pai’s MEMG Family Office. An emergency arbitrator has instructed BYJU’S not to divest approximately 6% stake in AESL due to defaults on repayment of around Rs 350 crore borrowed from MEMG Family Office.

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