Gurugram,
13th September 2024 : People Matters, the fastest-growing media
platform and community for HR and Talent leaders in India and APAC, today
announced a leadership transition following its complete acquisition by Mynavi
Corporation, one of Japan's largest HR companies. Pushkaraj Bidwai, one of the
founding members and previously Chief Business Officer at People Matters, has
been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board of Directors. He
succeeds Ester Martinez, the Founder & CEO, who has decided to step down after
15 successful years to explore personal interests.
This transition marks a new chapter for People Matters, one that
promises accelerated growth and deeper engagement with the People and Work
community across Asia. Building on the strong foundation established by Ester
Martinez, the full backing from Mynavi will further enable People Matters to
serve its vibrant community of over 500,000 HR and talent leaders. The
acquisition positions the company to accelerate its growth plans, leveraging
synergies between the two organizations to introduce new initiatives, expand
its reach, and bolster its leadership in the People and Work industry.
Additionally, this will enable People Matters’ long-term team members, who have
been integral to the company’s growth, to exercise their ESOP rights and
benefit through the cash out.
Kazumasa
Yoshida, a Director for Global Business of Mynavi Corporation, said, "We have long admired the
work and impact of People Matters in the People and Work community, and we
extend our gratitude to Ester for her remarkable leadership and dedication over
the past 15 years, which have elevated the company to the strong position it
holds today. With Pushkar succeeding, we have full confidence in his leadership
and vision to spearhead this next phase of growth, drawing on his deep
understanding of the market and commitment to excellence. With this full
acquisition, we are committed to providing the resources and enablement needed
for People Matters to scale to new heights and expand its footprint across APAC
while continuing to operate as an independent media and community
business."
Pushkaraj Bidwai, who takes on the role of the CEO, has been
instrumental in driving key strategic initiatives and expanding the People
Matters brand beyond India in his previous role as the Chief Business Officer.
Since 2017, he has successfully led the brand's entry into six new countries,
bringing a global perspective to the organization's growth. As one of the
founding members, Pushkaraj has shaped the company's vision and has been
preparing for this leadership role as part of a strategic succession plan. Now,
with Mynavi's support, he is set to lead People Matters into its next chapter
of innovation and community impact. With plans for expansion into new markets,
his goal is to position People Matters as the nerve center for the people and
work industry across APAC.
Commenting
on his elevation, Pushkaraj Bidwai said, “Ester’s leadership has firmly established People Matters as a trusted
platform for HR and talent leaders. I am honored to succeed her and build on
this legacy as we embark upon the People Matters 3.0 journey. With strong
support from Mynavi Corporation, I am excited to realize our ambitious plans
for expansion into new markets and new initiatives to strengthen our position
as the preferred platform for HR and talent leaders across APAC. Our long-term
vision is to transform People Matters into a global brand that leverages
technology, data, and AI to elevate the People and Work industry worldwide.”
Commenting
on the development, Ester Martinez said, "I am incredibly proud of what we have
built at People Matters over the last 15 years. I believe the company is in
excellent hands with Pushkar, who has been an integral part of our team and
intimately understands the needs of our community. His deep industry knowledge
combined with his extensive experience in running and scaling a media business
will drive the company’s continued success."
As People Matters looks to the future, it will build on its strong
foundation to expand its influence, deliver greater value to its community, and
shape the evolving landscape of HR and talent management, all while staying
true to its mission of empowering leaders and driving industry transformation.
About People Matters:
People Matters is APAC’s largest People & Work media and community
platform. Over the last 15 years, the brand has built knowledge and learning
experience-led initiatives that enable over 500K HR & Talent leaders to
become the answer daily. People Matters helps leaders connect the dots through
its Content media websites, Social channels, Conferences, Research initiatives
& Insight tools. Its flagship TechHR conference is Asia’s largest HR and
Work Tech initiative.