Mumbai: Premium French menswear brand Celio has announced key leadership transitions in its India operations, marking a new chapter of growth following the departure of Satyen Momaya, who served as CEO for eight impactful years.
During Satyen’s tenure, Celio India experienced significant transformation—tripling its revenue, expanding its retail footprint, and establishing itself as a profitable, digitally-forward brand with a strong omni-channel presence.
As part of the new leadership structure, François Gomez returns to India as Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Nidhi Raj joins the company as Chief Brand Officer (CBO). Together, they will lead Celio’s strategic vision and operational excellence as the brand builds on its strong foundation to further scale its presence in the Indian market.
A long-time leader at Celio, François brings deep institutional knowledge and global expertise to his role. Previously serving as International Zonal Director for Asia, Middle East, South America, and French Overseas Territories, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Celio’s international expansion. As COO, François will be based in India, responsible for overall strategy, business operations, and cross-functional alignment.
François Gomez, returning as Chief Operating Officer (COO), said, “Returning to India is both a meaningful step and a natural progression in my journey. Having worked across international markets and alongside diverse partners, I’ve learned the value of navigating complexity with agility and respect. Today, I have the privilege of building on the strong foundation laid by Satyen M., who not only expanded the brand but also nurtured resilient and committed teams. My role now is to bring a fresh perspective and focused support, ensuring that in this matrix structure, every function is better aligned and empowered. Ultimately, it’s about bringing people, product, and purpose together in a way that drives performance, deepens local impact, and fuels Celio’s long-term success in India.”
Joining him is Nidhi Raj, a seasoned retail and fashion expert with over 18 years of experience in product, merchandising, and design. As CBO, she will lead the product, design, marketing, and brand functions. Her deep consumer insight and trend-driven approach are expected to further strengthen Celio’s connection with India’s fashion-forward male audience.
Manoj Bathija, Head – Sales & Operations at Celio India, continues to play a pivotal role in driving retail execution across the country’s growing store network. His leadership remains instrumental in maintaining the brand’s omnichannel momentum and operational agility.
Commenting on the leadership changes, the Celio France Head Office shared, “We are confident that the new leadership team in place will continue driving the brand’s growth in this strategic market by reinforcing its key strengths that have made Celio successful and a leader in France. Celio Group remains strongly committed to supporting the ongoing development of Celio India, relying on a solid local team and an agile operating model focused on delivering value to our customers.”
With these leadership appointments, Celio India enters a renewed phase of brand building, consumer engagement, and innovation-led growth.
