Ravi Kunwar, Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer, India and APAC, HMD
Ravi Kunwar is a seasoned sales and business leader with over three decades of experience in the mobile and consumer durables industry. Currently serving as the chief executive officer and vice-president at HMD for India and the Asia-Pacific region he is steering the company’s strategic growth and cementing the brand in some of the world’s most competitive mobile markets.
Kunwar has been instrumental in establishing and scaling HMD’s footprint in the feature phone segment and mid-range smartphones. He prioritises customer-centricity and convenience even in feature phones through the integration of UPI and YouTube Shorts. He places a strong emphasis on product reliability, durability, sustainability, value embracing industry-defining trends and 5G innovation.
He is committed to penetrating Tier II and III cities, where demand for high-quality mobile devices is on the rise. Under his guidance, HMD is not only expanding its Nokia feature phone portfolio but is also manufacturing and supplying its own original line-up of devices, in alignment with the “Make in India” initiative.
When asked about key trends in the sector, he notes, “The tech and telecom sector is undergoing transformative shifts, particularly in the APAC region and India. One of the most prominent trends is the rapid adoption of 5G, which is redefining connectivity and unlocking new possibilities in mobile experiences.” He considers the rise of AI, IoT ecosystems and connected devices, and the surge in demand for affordable yet feature-rich smartphones as other key trends in the sector.
With prior leadership roles at Microsoft, Nokia and Samsung, Kunwar’s ability to integrate lessons from different regions and apply them to new markets has been a defining strength in his career. “When it comes to weaknesses, I maintain a growth-oriented perspective. I strongly believe that any limitations can be transformed into strengths through dedicated effort and the right mindset. My approach has always been to build strong, diverse teams where different skill sets complement each other. This collaborative strategy has consistently proven effective in my leadership journey, turning potential challenges into stepping stones for collective success,” he adds.
Kunwar holds an engineering degree from MIT, Manipal, and an MBA in Marketing from BIMTECH, Delhi.
Outside of work, Kunwar is an avid cricket enthusiast and an adventure traveller. His family consists of his wife, a senior HR professional, and their son, who is pursuing his studies at the City University of London.
