Varun Berry to chair 8th edition of ET Shark Awards 2026

Former Britannia Industries CEO and vice chairman Varun Berry will chair the 8th edition of the ET Shark Awards 2026, The Economic Times and ETBrandEquity.com announced on Thursday.

The ET Shark Awards celebrate campaigns and initiatives that drive innovation, consumer engagement and business growth.

Berry, a veteran industry leader with nearly four decades of experience, joined Britannia Industries from PepsiCo in 2013 as chief operating officer and became managing director in 2014. During his tenure, he led the company's expansion through a strategy focused on market reach, cost efficiency, supply-chain strengthening and product innovation.

Apart from Britannia, Berry has also worked with companies such as Hindustan Unilever and PepsiCo in India and overseas. He is known for leading startups, business turnarounds, joint ventures and high-growth businesses.

The organisers said the ET Shark Awards have evolved into a key benchmark for marketing excellence in India, recognising future-ready brands and marketers shaping the next phase of brand-building.

The 2025 edition of the awards was chaired by former Nestle India chairman and managing director Suresh Narayanan and featured participation from several leading business and marketing executives from across sectors including FMCG, retail, automotive, healthcare, media and consumer services.

The awards follow a multi-city evaluation process, with over 100 marketers, business leaders and brand experts participating in jury sessions across India.

Over the years, brands including Nestlé, Hindustan Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Tata Consumer Products, PepsiCo and Netflix have participated in the awards platform.