Category: Leaders

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Call of Duty Co-Creator Vince Zampella dies in car crash

Vince Zampella, co-creator of the popular Call of Duty video game franchise, has died in a car crash in California. He was 55.

The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon on the Angeles Crest Highway near Los Angeles, when the Ferrari he was driving lost control, hit a concrete barrier and caught fire. A passenger in the car was also killed. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Zampella was a highly influential figure in the gaming industry. He co-founded Infinity Ward and later Respawn Entertainment, creating hit titles such as Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi series.

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B P Kanungo appointed IIFL finance chairman

IIFL Finance Ltd, a leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India, has appointed B.P. Kanungo, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as its non-executive chairman. The appointment was made by the company’s board on December 19, 2025, and takes effect immediately.

Kanungo brings over 40 years of experience in banking and financial regulation. He served as RBI Deputy Governor from 2017 to 2021 and was part of the Monetary Policy Committee. He has also held senior roles in currency management, payment systems, and consumer protection. His deep knowledge of the financial system is expected to help IIFL Finance strengthen governance and plan its future growth.

Before becoming chairman, Kanungo was already an independent director on IIFL Finance’s board. In his new role, he will guide the company’s strategic decisions and ensure good governance while protecting the interests of shareholders, customers, and regulators. Nirmal Jain, Managing Director of IIFL Finance, welcomed Kanungo’s appointment, saying his expertise will support the company’s next stage of growth.

In the same board meeting, IIFL Finance shared that it has complied with a tax notice from the Income Tax Department. The company paid Rs 1.47 crore as tax for past assessments, confirming that this does not affect its current operations or finances.

The board also approved a proposal to raise the company’s borrowing limit from Rs 35,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore, subject to shareholder approval. This move will give IIFL Finance more flexibility to expand its lending business and strengthen its financial position.

IIFL Finance offers a variety of loans, including home loans, business loans, microfinance, and gold loans, and serves customers through a wide network across India. With Kanungo as chairman, the company aims to combine strong governance with strategic growth to better serve its customers and investors.

Also Read: ICICI Bank revises credit card charges, benefits from 2026

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Elon Musk net worth nears $750 billion

Elon Musk’s net worth has surged to nearly $750 billion after a key US court ruling restored part of his Tesla compensation package. The decision puts him closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire.

The Delaware Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling that had invalidated Musk’s 2018 pay package, which was tied to ambitious Tesla performance targets. The package grants Musk stock options that, with Tesla’s current share price, are valued at approximately $139 billion. The court said that completely voiding the package would be unfair, given Musk’s six years of work to achieve the targets.

Musk’s wealth comes mainly from his Tesla holdings, including his roughly 12% stake in the company, and stakes in ventures such as SpaceX. With the restored stock options, his estimated fortune on the Forbes Billionaires Index now stands around $749 billion.

The ruling also strengthens Musk’s position in the global wealth rankings. He now far exceeds the net worth of the next richest individuals, including Google co-founder Larry Page. Tesla remains central to his fortune, and the restored options add a significant boost to his overall wealth.

Earlier, Tesla shareholders approved a separate long-term performance-based pay plan for Musk, potentially worth up to $1 trillion. Achieving its full value could push his wealth even closer to the trillion-dollar mark.

This legal victory ensures Musk receives the compensation he earned for Tesla’s growth and reinforces his influence over the company and markets. Analysts say the restored options highlight the importance of executive performance packages in large corporations and how legal challenges can affect personal and market wealth.

The court’s decision underscores the intersection of corporate governance, executive compensation, and shareholder interests, with Musk’s fortune reflecting both Tesla’s success and the growing scale of executive pay in global business.

Also Read: Gujarat Kidney IPO opens at ₹108–₹114 to raise ₹251 crore

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British Petroleum appoints Meg O’Neill as CEO

British Petroleum has appointed Meg O’Neill, current CEO of Australia’s Woodside Energy, as its next chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2026. She succeeds Murray Auchincloss, who stepped down on December 18, 2025, and will remain as an adviser until the end of next year to ensure a smooth transition. O’Neill’s appointment is historic: she is both BP’s first external CEO hire and its first woman to lead one of the world’s top five oil majors.

O’Neill brings over 23 years of experience at ExxonMobil, where she held various leadership roles, and has been Woodside’s CEO since 2021. At Woodside, she expanded the company’s global presence and oversaw major transactions, including the acquisition of BHP Petroleum International. BP’s board highlighted her “proven track record of driving transformation, growth, and disciplined capital allocation” as a key reason for her selection. Until O’Neill takes over, Carol Howle, BP’s Executive Vice President for Supply, Trading and Shipping, will serve as interim CEO.

The leadership change comes at a critical time as BP repositions itself toward traditional oil and gas, scaling back earlier renewable energy investments. The company plans to divest around $20 billion in non-core assets by 2027 and increase oil and gas production to improve profitability. The strategic shift is in part a response to shareholder pressure, particularly from activist investors such as Elliott Investment Management, who have pushed for stronger financial performance.

The market responded positively to the announcement. BP shares saw modest gains, while Woodside’s stock dipped following news of O’Neill’s departure. Analysts note that her operational expertise and deep knowledge of the oil and gas sector are expected to help BP navigate the competitive global energy market, where demand for fossil fuels remains strong despite the ongoing energy transition.

O’Neill’s appointment showcases BP’s intent to combine experienced leadership with financial discipline. The move signals a pragmatic approach, focusing on profitability and shareholder value, while balancing the company’s long-term energy transition goals. Observers see this as a significant step in shaping BP’s future amid a dynamic energy landscape, with O’Neill poised to lead the company into a new era of growth and operational focus.

Also Read: India–China trade gap to hit $106 billion

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Shashwat Sharma appointed Airtel CEO

Bharti Airtel has announced a major change in its top leadership. Shashwat Sharma will take over as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel India starting January 1, 2026. He will lead the company for a five-year term.

Sharma has been preparing for this role over the past year, working closely with the current CEO to ensure a smooth transition.

Gopal Vittal, the current CEO, will move to a new role as Executive Vice Chairman. In this role, he will focus on strategy, technology, networks, procurement, talent development, and overseeing Airtel’s group operations.

The company said these changes are part of a planned succession process to maintain leadership continuity and support Airtel’s growth in India’s competitive telecom market.

Other key appointments include Soumen Ray as Group Chief Financial Officer and Rohit Krishan Puri as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, both starting January 1, 2026.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Airtel’s Chairman, welcomed the leadership changes and expressed confidence that the new team will guide the company to future success.

Also Read: Reliance Consumer acquires majority stake in Udhaiyams Agro Foods

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Jared Isaacman officially named NASA Chief

Billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut Jared Isaacman has officially been confirmed as the new head of NASA, following a 67‑30 vote by the US Senate on December 17, 2025. Isaacman, known for his commercial spaceflights and ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, steps into the role at a time when NASA is planning ambitious missions to the Moon and preparing for eventual human exploration of Mars.

Isaacman’s path to NASA is unusual. Unlike previous administrators, he does not come from a traditional space agency background. He is a self-made tech entrepreneur from Pennsylvania, who founded Shift4 Payments as a teenager. He later became a prominent figure in private space travel, flying to orbit on SpaceX missions including Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital flight, and Polaris Dawn, during which he reportedly conducted the first private citizen spacewalk.

His confirmation follows earlier political twists. Originally nominated by former President Donald Trump in late 2024, Isaacman’s appointment was withdrawn in May 2025 before being renominated and confirmed in November. Some lawmakers raised concerns about his close links to SpaceX, which holds major NASA contracts, but Isaacman committed to managing potential conflicts of interest.

As NASA administrator, Isaacman will oversee roughly 14,000 employees and a multibillion-dollar budget. He inherits both opportunities and challenges, including tight budgets, workforce reductions, and growing global competition in space exploration, particularly from China.

At his confirmation hearing, Isaacman emphasized the importance of returning humans to the Moon through the Artemis program and preparing for future Mars missions. He also stressed the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating space exploration, signaling a new era where commercial and government efforts work closely together.

Isaacman’s leadership brings a fresh, bold perspective to NASA, combining his entrepreneurial mindset with hands-on spaceflight experience. For many, it represents a shift toward a more dynamic, innovation-driven approach at a historic moment in space exploration, where the next giant leap for humanity could happen sooner than ever.

Also Read: India and Oman ink historic CEPA trade deal

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B. Sairam appointed chairman of Coal India Limited

B. Sairam has taken charge as the Chairman‑cum‑Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL), India’s largest coal producer, effective 15 December 2025, according to a company filing. He succeeds Sanoj Kumar Jha, who had been holding the additional charge of the CMD post. The Ministry of Coal appointed Sairam for the role, which will continue until 31 March 2028, the date of his retirement, or until further orders, whichever comes first.

Sairam brings over three decades of experience in the coal and mining sector. Prior to this appointment, he served as the CMD of Northern Coalfields Ltd., a key subsidiary of Coal India. His career spans leadership roles in mine operations, project planning, logistics management, regulatory affairs, and rehabilitation programmes. Analysts expect his experience to be crucial as Coal India navigates challenges such as increasing domestic coal demand, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance.

Coal India Limited, a Maharatna public sector company under the Ministry of Coal, contributes significantly to India’s energy supply, producing more than 80% of the country’s coal. The company’s operations are critical for sustaining power generation and supporting industrial growth.

The appointment of Sairam comes at a time when the government is focusing on enhancing domestic coal production, reducing imports, and ensuring a stable supply for power plants. His leadership is anticipated to strengthen Coal India’s operational efficiency and align its growth with national energy objectives.

Also Read: Ford cancels $6.5 billion EV battery deal with LG

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CEO Bhavish Aggarwal sells 2.6 crore Ola Electric shares

Bhavish Aggarwal, co‑founder and CEO of Ola Electric, has sold part of his personal shareholding to fully repay a ₹260 crore promoter-level loan and release pledged shares, according to company filings and exchange data. This one-time bulk sale was aimed at strengthening promoter finances and boosting investor confidence.

On December 16, 2025, Aggarwal sold around 2.6 crore equity shares of Ola Electric at an average price of ₹34.99 per share, raising roughly ₹92 crore. Prior to the sale, he held about 30.02 percent of the company. After the transaction, his stake has reduced slightly, but promoter control remains intact.

Ola Electric clarified that the sale was a personal stake monetisation and does not dilute the promoter’s long-term commitment to the company. Once the ₹260 crore loan is repaid, all previously pledged shares, around 3.93 percent of the company, will be released, removing a key source of market risk and volatility.

The company emphasized that this step aligns with Aggarwal’s objective of operating without leverage at the promoter level. Post-sale, the promoter group’s total holding in Ola Electric is expected to remain around 34 percent, maintaining a strong controlling interest compared to other new-age listed firms.

The bulk sale comes amid a challenging period for Ola Electric, which recently saw a decline in electric two-wheeler sales. In November 2025, the company slipped to fourth place in India’s electric two-wheeler market, with registrations falling compared with the previous month.

The market reacted to the transaction with heightened attention, as investors assessed its implications for share stability and long-term company governance. Analysts note that reducing promoter pledges is generally seen positively, signaling a lower financial risk at the promoter level and improved confidence for shareholders.

By repaying the ₹260 crore debt and removing pledged shares, Aggarwal aims to demonstrate financial prudence and reinforce Ola Electric’s commitment to sustainable growth, while keeping control firmly with the promoter group.

Also Read: KSH International IPO subscribed 21% on day 2

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Elon Musk becomes first person worth $600 billion

Elon Musk has become the first person in history to reach a net worth of $600 billion, according to Forbes. The sharp rise in his wealth is mainly due to growing expectations that SpaceX, his private space company, is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) in the coming years.

SpaceX’s valuation has surged sharply as investor interest in the space industry grows. Reports suggest the company could be valued at around $800 billion when it goes public, possibly by 2026. Musk owns about 42 percent of SpaceX, making it the single largest contributor to his personal wealth. If the IPO goes ahead at the expected valuation, his net worth could rise even further.

Apart from SpaceX, Musk’s fortune is also supported by his stake in Tesla, the electric vehicle maker. He owns roughly 12 percent of Tesla, whose shares have performed strongly in recent months. Tesla remains one of the most valuable carmakers in the world and continues to play a key role in Musk’s financial standing.

Musk’s other ventures also add to his growing wealth. These include his artificial intelligence company xAI and his social media platform X. While these businesses are still evolving, investors see long-term value in Musk’s technology-driven approach and ambitious projects.

Earlier this year, Musk had already crossed the $500 billion mark, another first for any individual. The latest milestone places him far ahead of other global billionaires and sets a new benchmark for personal wealth. Market watchers say no individual in modern history has accumulated wealth at this scale.

Experts note that Musk’s fortune is closely tied to market valuations rather than cash holdings. Most of his wealth is invested in company shares, which can rise or fall with market conditions. Still, with SpaceX’s IPO on the horizon and strong investor interest in his companies, Musk’s financial influence continues to grow.

While Musk has not officially commented on the Forbes estimates or IPO plans, the numbers highlight the massive global impact of his businesses.

Also Read: SEBI starts ₹18 cr recovery against finfluencer ‘Baap of Charts’

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Meesho founder Vidit Aatrey joins the billionaire club

Vidit Aatrey, co‑founder and CEO of social commerce platform Meesho, has joined the ranks of global billionaires following a sharp rise in the company’s share price after its initial public offering (IPO). The stock jumped significantly above its issue price, pushing Aatrey’s personal wealth into the billion‑dollar range.

Meesho’s shares climbed to around Rs 193, representing a 74 percent increase over the IPO issue price of Rs 111 per share. This surge translated into substantial gains for Aatrey, who holds roughly 47.25 crore shares, or an 11.1 percent stake in the company. At these levels, his holdings were valued at over Rs 9,000 crore (approximately USD 1.1 billion).

The company’s listing reflects strong investor interest in its mobile‑first, social‑commerce model, which enables small businesses and individual sellers to reach consumers across India. The IPO attracted significant attention from both retail and institutional investors, and the stock’s performance post‑listing underscores market confidence in Meesho’s growth potential.

Industry observers say the rally highlights optimism about India’s domestic e‑commerce sector, especially for companies with scalable, asset‑light business models. Meesho’s focus on affordable products and penetration into smaller cities and towns has helped it build a broad consumer base, contributing to its strong stock performance.

For Vidit Aatrey, this milestone marks the culmination of a decade-long journey from a startup founder to one of India’s newest billionaires. Together with co‑founder Sanjeev Barnwal, he has grown Meesho from a niche social reselling platform into a mainstream e‑commerce company, attracting major global and domestic investors along the way.

As Meesho expands its operations and works toward profitability, its successful IPO may serve as a benchmark for future listings in India’s technology sector, signaling continued investor enthusiasm for innovative, growth-oriented startups.

Also Read: SEBI to review key mutual fund, broker and IPO rules