23, Sep 2026
Noto Group Adds Senior Partners Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns to Expand Global Consumer Practice
LEEDS, England, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Noto Group, an executive search and leadership advisory firm serving consumer brands across North America and Europe, today announced the addition of Kirsty Schofield and Cody Johns as Senior Partners.
The appointments expand Noto Group’s expertise and strengthen the firm’s ability to support clients through growth, transformation, and strategic change. “Cody and Kirsty bring highly complementary experience, deep consumer sector expertise, and a genuine connection to how we work,” said Sara Spirko, Managing Partner of Noto Group. “Both understand that finding the right leader starts with gaining full context including the desired outcomes beneath the hiring need. That perspective, combined with rigorous assessment and close client partnership, is central to how we approach every search.”
Kirsty Schofield Strengthens International Practice
Based in the UK, Schofield brings 15 years of executive search experience and will help grow Noto Group’s fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and wellness practices. She joins Senior Partner John Copeland in expanding the firm’s international reach, leveraging her network across Europe, Asia, and North America.
A founding member and shareholder of PartnerWise, Schofield built a senior-level search practice serving leading consumer brands across functions and markets. She advises boards, CEOs, and executive teams on critical appointments, combining Hogan certification and assessment expertise with a strong understanding of the leadership required to drive growth, transformation, and long-term performance.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to organizations and leaders building something meaningful,” said Schofield. “Noto Group’s consumer focus, values, and proven Sure Hire process really resonate with me. I’m excited to work with our clients as they make important leadership decisions and shape the future of their brands.”
“I’ve known Kirsty for a while and have tremendous respect for the practice she has built,” said John Copeland, Senior Partner at Noto Group. “I’m thrilled to work alongside her as we extend Noto Group’s reach with top leaders and consumer brands around the world.”
Cody Johns Returns to Her Executive Recruiting Roots
Johns has nearly two decades of experience in executive search, talent strategy, and organizational transformation. She joins Noto Group after more than 14 years at Nike, most recently as Director, Talent Business Partner, advising VP and SVP leaders on succession planning, organizational capability, and leadership hiring across Sales, Direct to Consumer, Design, and Product. She also played a key role in a major realignment that moved more than 2,000 employees into a new operating model in fewer than 90 days.
Previously, Johns served as Nike’s Executive Sourcing Director, helping scale the company’s executive sourcing capabilities, and earlier led executive recruiting across Product Management, Merchandising, and Product Creation.
Johns’ move to Noto Group marks a full-circle moment. Notowitz gave her her first opportunity in executive recruiting at Generator Group, the search firm he founded before Noto Group. She later built on that foundation through senior talent roles at Adidas and Nike.
“It’s been rewarding to watch Cody build an exceptional career,” said Notowitz. “She returns with a rare combination of executive recruiting expertise and firsthand experience advising leaders inside a global organization on talent, succession, and organizational transformation.”
“I’ve followed Noto Group’s growth and have always respected its commitment to helping great companies make consequential leadership decisions,” said Johns. “Having seen those decisions from both inside organizations and as a search professional, bringing that perspective to Noto Group feels like a natural next chapter.”
Johns will advise clients on executive search, leadership selection, and talent strategy, with a focus on fitness and sporting goods, fashion, wellness, and beauty sectors.
Expanding Noto Group’s Consumer Leadership Platform
“Kirsty and Cody strengthen our firm in distinct but highly complementary ways,” Notowitz added. “Kirsty brings extensive international search experience and deep relationships across global consumer markets, while Cody brings firsthand experience inside a world-class consumer organization. Together, they broaden our ability to help founders, CEOs, boards, and investors build leadership teams equipped to grow, evolve, and endure.”
For more information, visit: https://www.notogroup.com/post/noto-group-adds-senior-partners-kirsty-schofield-and-cody-johns-to-expand-global-consumer-practice
About Noto Group
Noto Group is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm that helps consumer brands recruit, select, and prepare exceptional leaders for critical roles, often during periods of growth, transformation, turnaround, or strategic change.
Founded in 2009, the firm specializes in C-suite, VP, and Director-level search across sporting goods, outdoor, apparel, footwear, CPG, food and beverage, fashion, lifestyle, beauty, personal care, travel, and hospitality. With offices across the U.S. and UK, Noto Group combines the high-touch service of a boutique firm with the reach and assessment capabilities of the larger global search firms.
Noto Group is a Certified B Corporation since 2013 and a member of 1% for the Planet.
Visit www.notogroup.com to learn more.
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- By Sai Krishna
23, Sep 2026
Kigen Automotive eSIM first to achieve GSMA eSA certification, bringing latest SGP.32 security to connected vehicle OEMs for long-life fleets
With the industry’s first eSA-certified eSIMs supporting the latest SGP.32 v1.3, Kigen delivers automotive-grade security, giving OEMs a common architecture for developing connected fleets – plus an implementation and tools to prepare for PQC readiness
CAMBRIDGE, England, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kigen, a global leader in eSIM and iSIM technology, has achieved GSMA eUICC Security Assurance (eSA) certification for its new Automotive eSIMs, the industry’s first eSA-certified eSIM supporting SGP.32 v1.3, GSMA’s latest IoT eSIM (eUICC) specification. The certification combines Kigen’s eSIM OS with Infineon’s TEGRION™ SLI22 automotive security controller, giving connected-vehicle OEMs and Tier-1s a secure, standards-current platform built for fleets that must stay secure for a decade-plus.
As cars and two-wheeled vehicles rapidly transition to highly intelligent, regulated, and software-defined mobility assets, the new Kigen Automotive eSIM is certified across the TEGRION™ SLx22 chip family, creating a three-product portfolio spanning Automotive (SLI22), Consumer (SLC22, supporting latest SGP.22 v2.7), and Industrial IoT (SLM22, supporting SGP.32 v1.3). All three share the same OS and hardware platform, development tools, and management stack, helping automotive manufacturers use the same security platform across infotainment, telematics, and headless vehicle systems. This reduces fragmentation, speeds development, and makes it easier for the same OEM to expand across multiple connected cars, passenger transport, and industrial vehicle fleets.
Kigen’s implementation supports SGP.32 v1.3 enhancements, published in May 2026, including direct and indirect profile downloads, digital activation codes, and emergency profile handling relevant to connected vehicles. Early visibility into the latest enhancements to eSIM standards reduces the risk of architectural obsolescence for OEMs and operators, allowing architectures qualified today to remain relevant over long program timelines.
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is increasingly important for connected vehicles, where long service lives make hardware replacement impractical. Although PQC is not yet part of the GSMA specifications, Kigen can support OEMs having implemented hybrid key encapsulation that combines classical and quantum-safe algorithms on the same platform. OEMs can test end-to-end PQC-resistant communications using Kigen’s C-SDK development suite and test eSIM samples to prepare for long-term security against emerging quantum threats.
The certification builds on Kigen’s established eSA-certified IoT eSIMs and Consumer eSIMs that introduced eSIM OS secure updates for compliance to EU Cybersecurity Resilience Act (EU CRA), certified six months prior.
“Vehicles are becoming long-lived software platforms, so their connectivity trust anchor must remain secure and manageable long after production,” said Vincent Korstanje, CEO, Kigen. “Kigen’s new eSA-certified Automotive eSIMs give car manufacturers a secure path from factory provisioning to global fleet operation while preserving freedom to evolve connectivity throughout the vehicle lifetime. Given the market maturity of our eIM, the time to achieve this certification demonstrates the deep collaboration of Kigen’s product, engineering, certification, and operations teams with technology and ecosystem partners.”
“Kigen has played a key role in shaping the evolution of eSIM for IoT, including through Dr Saïd Gharout’s leadership of the GSMA eSIM Technical Working Group,” said Gloria Trujillo, eSIM Technical Director, GSMA. “This latest achievement, with the industry’s first eSA-certified eSIMs supporting SGP.32 v1.3, is an important step in translating GSMA eSIM IoT specifications into secure, interoperable technology for the next generation of connected IoT and vehicle fleets.”
“Congratulations to Kigen on the industry’s first GSMA eSA certification to the latest SGP.32 enhanced specifications for automotive eSIMs,” said Katherine Diao, Head of IoT and Automotive Industry, China Mobile International. “China Mobile International is pleased to partner with Kigen to introduce SGP.32-based security solutions to Chinese automakers, supporting global deployment, CRA-aligned processes, and reliable connectivity for vehicles designed for long service life.”
Kigen’s full eSIM stack assurance spans GSMA SAS-UP (manufacturing) and SAS-SM (subscription management) certification, plus hosted Kigen eIM remote management. Kigen Automotive eSIMs interoperate with 20+ network providers that are ready for digital activation, with 60+ “Secure with Kigen” IoT modules, and are supported by global connectivity partnerships, including China Mobile International, helping OEMs simplify deployment across international vehicle markets. Kigen will join GSMA interoperability testing in October with its certified IoT eSIMs and eIM solution.
Kigen Automotive eSIMs will be available for OEM sampling in the ETSI MFF2 package from October 2026. Request samples and the Kigen IoT eSIM Starter Kit at https://kigen.com/contact/
About Kigen
Kigen is the forerunner in GSMA-certified eSIM and Remote SIM Provisioning security solutions, empowering networks and manufacturers, including top 10% in industrial critical sectors, to scale cellular IoT and achieve compliance for new cybersecurity mandates. Our award-winning eSIM technology delivers intelligence on the SIM, supporting AI-era network functionality, with proven interoperability across leading chipsets and modules for faster time to market. Backed by Arm, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and SBI Group, Kigen is consistently recognized for innovation and earned a spot on the coveted The Sunday Times 100Tech – UK’s fastest growing private tech companies list. Learn more at https://kigen.com/
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23, Sep 2026
RingConn Gen 3 Smart Ring Drew Attention at IFA 2026
BERLIN, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RingConn showcased its latest Gen 3 Smart Ring at IFA 2026 in Berlin, presenting the smart ring across multiple locations throughout the show, including high-visibility area near the north entrance. The product attracted significant attention from visitors and media during the event and received multiple recognitions, including the IFA Innovation Award and six distinctions from leading publications.
Received Multiple Best of IFA Recognitions
RingConn Gen 3 received seven recognitions during IFA 2026, reflecting positive attention from both the industry and technology media. The smart ring was honored with the IFA Innovation Award in the Beauty Tech & Well-being category and received a CHIP Highlight, alongside Best of IFA recognitions from five publications: Digital Trends, Trusted Reviews, Android Headlines, PC Welt and Apartment Therapy.
Beyond its award recognitions, RingConn Gen 3 has received positive feedback in reviews from a wide range of technology and consumer electronics media, including CHIP.de and connect.de.
Strong On-site Response
Beyond the recognition from media, RingConn Gen 3 also drew strong interest from visitors, distributors and buyers throughout IFA 2026. RingConn representatives engaged with industry partners from across Europe and other international markets, discussing future market opportunities and plans for expanding the brand’s presence in the region. RingConn products are already available at nearly 150 offline locations, including retail stores and pharmacies, giving consumers more opportunities to experience and purchase the products in person. The interest shown at IFA further highlighted the potential for broader distribution and retail partnerships in European markets.
*RingConn products are non-medical devices intended strictly for general wellness and fitness, not for disease diagnosis or treatment.
About RingConn
Established in 2021, RingConn is a user-centric company, driven by continuous innovation, to provide professional, continuous, and thoughtful health monitoring products and services. RingConn is dedicated to becoming users’ most trusted guardian for their physical and mental well-being.
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23, Sep 2026
Canton Fair Launches Membership Program, Elevating Services for Overseas Buyers
GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 140th Canton Fair, opening on October 15, will introduce the Canton Fair Membership for Overseas Buyers for the first time, designed to deliver tiered benefits and a more rewarding sourcing experience for global buyers. This represents a comprehensive upgrade to its overseas buyer services.
A Loyalty Program That Rewards Every Buyer Interaction
The Canton Fair Membership for Overseas Buyers comes with zero barriers to entry. All registered overseas buyers are automatically enrolled, with no separate application or approval process required.
Through activities such as pre-registration, onsite attendance, profile updates and event participation, members can earn points throughout their Canton Fair journey.
These points deliver dual value, helping buyers progress through four permanent membership tiers, from CF New to CF Elite, while also being redeemable for a variety of practical benefits. Depending on their tier and points balance, members can access rewards including souvenirs, transit services, vouchers and exclusive value-added services. Since redeemed points do not affect a member’s achieved status, buyers can continue enjoying long-term membership privileges while redeeming rewards along the way.
Built around the “earn once, benefit twice” concept, the program transforms participation into lasting value, giving frequent buyers greater convenience, recognition and rewards with every Canton Fair visit.
For more information, please click:
https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/content-detail?id=f04cd64510b145cfa922ae5a12fb7ec9
Expanded Support Beyond the Exhibition Floor
Complementing the membership program, the Fair has enhanced its broader service ecosystem to support buyers throughout their trade journey.
An upgraded service, developed in partnership with 11 major financial institutions, including policy-oriented banks and insurance providers, helps overseas buyers gain access to upgraded financing solutions, risk management resources and one-stop digital financial services tailored to cross-border trade.
To further improve the travel experience, the Fair has also partnered with major airlines including China Southern Airlines, Air China and Cathay Pacific. These collaborations offer exhibitors and buyers a range of exclusive travel benefits, including discounted airfares, priority baggage handling, additional baggage allowances and priority boarding.
The 140th Canton Fair continues to strengthen its commitment to creating a more efficient, convenient and rewarding experience for overseas buyers.
For pre-registration, please click:
https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16
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23, Sep 2026
Odisha Installs Over 1.45 Lakh Smart Prepaid Meters Across 30 Districts
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 (UDN): Odisha has installed 1,45,141 smart prepaid electricity meters across all 30 districts, with Khurda recording the highest number of installations, Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo informed the State Assembly on Wednesday.
Representational Image
The minister provided the details in a written reply to a question raised by Balangir MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo.
Khurda Leads Meter Installation
Khurda topped the state with 36,744 smart prepaid meters, followed by Ganjam with 16,304 and Cuttack with 13,964 installations.
Angul accounted for 7,933 meters, while Kendrapara and Dhenkanal recorded 6,283 and 6,177 installations, respectively. Koraput had 5,227 smart prepaid meters installed, according to the minister’s reply.
The installations form part of the state’s ongoing transition towards smart metering in the electricity distribution sector.
1,499 Billing Complaints Received
Addressing concerns over billing, the Energy Minister said the state’s distribution companies (DISCOMs) received 1,499 complaints regarding erroneous billing from smart prepaid meters during the past two years.
According to the minister, all the complaints received during the period have been resolved.
Balangir Agricultural Feeders Get Over 23 Hours Of Supply
The minister also shared details of electricity supply to agricultural consumers in Balangir district.
During the last irrigation season, agricultural feeders in the district received an average of 23 hours and 25 minutes of power supply per day, he said.
However, 5,419 agricultural pump-set connections were still pending in Balangir.
Of these, 5,310 applications were pending at the consumer end, while the remaining 109 were pending with TP Western Odisha Distribution Company Ltd (TPWODL).
The figures were placed before the Assembly amid questions on the expansion of smart prepaid metering, resolution of billing-related complaints and the status of electricity connections for agricultural consumers in the state.
23, Sep 2026
Odisha Paddy Coverage Touches 36.18 Lakh Ha In Kharif 2026, Down From Last Year
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 (UDN): Paddy cultivation in Odisha has covered 36.18 lakh hectares during the ongoing Kharif season as of September 19, 2026, according to the first advance estimates presented in the Odisha Assembly.
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo provided the figures in response to a question raised by MLA Pratap Kesari Deb.
Mayurbhanj Tops Paddy Coverage
The preliminary district-wise assessment shows Mayurbhanj recording the highest paddy coverage at 3.15 lakh hectares.
It is followed by Bargarh with 2.59 lakh hectares, Ganjam with 2.12 lakh hectares, Sundargarh with 1.98 lakh hectares and Balangir with 1.86 lakh hectares.
Coverage Lower Than Previous Year
The current paddy coverage remains below the levels recorded in the previous two Kharif seasons.
Odisha recorded 37.49 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation in 2024-25, while the figure rose to 39.42 lakh hectares in 2025-26.
Compared with last year’s coverage, the current preliminary figure is lower by around 3.24 lakh hectares.
Seven Districts See Increase
Despite the overall decline, seven districts have reported an increase in paddy cultivation area compared with the previous year.
Bargarh and Khordha have each recorded an increase of 0.16 lakh hectares, while Puri has added 0.14 lakh hectares and Cuttack 0.13 lakh hectares.
Nuapada has registered an increase of 0.03 lakh hectares, followed by Jagatsinghpur and Nayagarh, which have each recorded a rise of 0.02 lakh hectares.
Final Figures Yet To Be Released
The Agriculture Minister clarified that the 36.18 lakh-hectare figure is provisional and based on the first advance assessment.
The final area under paddy cultivation for Kharif 2026 will be determined after the completion of the agricultural season. The coverage could increase further depending on the actual area brought under cultivation.
23, Sep 2026
Odisha Has Nearly 24,000 Broiler Farms, Produces 1.64 Lakh MT Poultry Meat Annually
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 (UDN): Odisha has 23,956 small and large broiler poultry farms and 189 commercial layer farms, with the state producing around 1.64 lakh metric tonnes of poultry meat and more than 40,000 lakh eggs annually, the Assembly was informed on Wednesday.
Representational Image
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik provided the details in a written reply to a question raised by Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy.
Poultry Output Rises Across State
According to the minister, Odisha produced around 164,000 metric tonnes of poultry meat and 40,913 lakh eggs during the financial year 2025-26.
The poultry sector has also attracted investment from several private companies, with many operating through integration-based models covering different stages of production.
Companies active in Odisha include IB Group, Suguna Feeds, Japfa, Venky’s, Pashupati Agrovet, Eastern Hatcheries, Utkal Feeds, Salimar Group, Poultech, Amrit Feeds, Baramati, Bhairabi, Kalpana Poultry, Gurukrupa Chicks, Poultry Premium Chicks and Sahoo Broiler.
Nearly 49,000 MT Meat Sent Outside Odisha
The minister further informed the Assembly that Odisha’s poultry industry supplies markets in other states as well.
While the government does not maintain specific data on the quantity of poultry meat exported outside Odisha, records available with poultry meat-producing companies indicate that around 49,000 metric tonnes were supplied to other states during 2025-26.
No Government-Controlled Broiler Price
On the issue of broiler chicken prices, Mallik said rates are determined by producers and traders.
Prices are influenced by factors including production costs, market supply and demand, and prevailing wholesale rates, he said.
The minister clarified that the state government currently has no specific mechanism or guidelines for fixing the retail or wholesale price of poultry meat.
The figures presented in the Assembly highlight the scale of Odisha’s poultry sector and its growing role in meeting both domestic demand and supplies to markets outside the state.
23, Sep 2026
Wildlife Photography Essentials to Pack for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Bangalore | Sept 23: As winter’s approaching soon, cooler mornings and comfortable days make it an ideal time to step outdoors with a camera and explore the nature around us. From planning a jungle safari and joining a bird walk to exploring nature trails or simply heading out for a weekend photo walk, the season brings plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife and capture moments in their natural surroundings.
Wildlife photography often calls for patience, flexibility, and equipment that can keep up when a fleeting moment suddenly unfolds. Whether you are photographing a bird taking flight, an animal emerging from the foliage, or smaller details along a nature trail, having the right combination of reach, speed, portability, and image quality can make the experience more rewarding. Here are some Sony imaging essentials to consider for your next outdoor photography adventure.
Sony Alpha ILCE-7RM6: Wildlife photography often comes down to a single moment, whether it is a bird taking flight, an animal turning towards the camera, or a brief interaction that lasts only a few seconds. The Sony Alpha ILCE-7RM6 combines a 66.8MP full-frame fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with high-speed performance, giving photographers the resolution and responsiveness needed to capture detailed images when the action unfolds unexpectedly.
Powered by the BIONZ XR2 image processing engine with an integrated AI processing unit, the camera can shoot at up to 30fps with full-resolution images and AF/AE tracking, while supporting up to 60 AF/AE calculations per second. Sony also provides specific shooting guidance for wild birds, including Pre-Capture, which can help record the moments immediately before the shutter is fully pressed when the timing of movement is difficult to predict.
Sony FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS: A morning bird walk or wildlife trail can quickly turn into a search for subjects at different distances, making a versatile telephoto lens particularly useful. The Sony FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS offers a 100–400mm focal range in a compact and lightweight design, allowing photographers to follow distant birds and wildlife without carrying a particularly heavy setup throughout the day. Weighing just 654g, the lens is designed for handheld shooting and can be a practical companion for longer outdoor photography sessions.
Fast, precise autofocus and Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation help when photographing active subjects, while its dust and moisture resistant design adds reliability when shooting outdoors. The lens also offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.86m at the telephoto end and up to 0.41x magnification, making it useful for photographing smaller subjects such as birds, insects and flowers encountered along a nature trail. An optional teleconverter can further extend its reach up to 800mm.
Sony RX10V: Not every outdoor photography outing comes with a fixed plan, and photographers may find themselves moving from wide landscape views to distant birds and wildlife within the same walk. The Sony RX10 V offers an all-in-one solution with a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24–600mm F2.4–4.0 zoom lens, allowing photographers to move between wide-angle and super-telephoto perspectives without changing lenses.
The camera combines a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with 20.1 megapixels, a BIONZ XR image processing engine, and an AI processing unit that supports Real-time Recognition AF for different subjects. With blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 30fps and up to 575 phase-detection AF points, the RX10 V is equipped to capture unpredictable moments, whether it is a bird taking flight, an animal moving through the frame, or a fleeting moment during an outdoor walk.
Sony FE 50–150mm F2 GM: Early mornings and late afternoons can offer some of the most interesting conditions for outdoor photography, when softer light adds depth to landscapes and wildlife images. The Sony FE 50–150mm F2 GM combines a versatile telephoto range with a constant F2 aperture, giving photographers greater flexibility to capture subjects against their surroundings while creating a smooth, defocused background.
The lens is particularly suited to situations where photographers want to capture more than just a distant subject, whether that means an animal within its habitat, a bird perched against a textured background, or details emerging as the light changes. Its internal zoom design maintains a consistent lens length while zooming, while the combination of telephoto compression and F2 aperture gives photographers greater creative control over how subjects stand out within the frame.
The appeal of outdoor photography lies in the fact that no two outings unfold in quite the same way. A quiet bird walk can turn into an opportunity to capture a bird in flight, while a planned safari can offer everything from distant wildlife and dramatic landscapes to smaller details hidden along the trail.
With winter bringing more comfortable conditions for exploring the outdoors, it is a good time to plan photography adventures around the subjects and environments you enjoy most. From lightweight telephoto lenses and versatile all-in-one cameras to fast lenses and high-resolution camera bodies, Sony’s imaging lineup offers options that can help photographers stay ready for the moments that make every outdoor adventure worth capturing.
23, Sep 2026
India’s Corporate Globalization Accelerates: Outbound Expansion Grows 53 percentage vs 17 percentage Inbound Growth
Mumbai, Sep 23: The emerging Multinational Benefits Guide by Howden Employee Benefits examines how companies are managing employee benefits across different markets. It looks at Indian companies with overseas operations as well as foreign-owned businesses in India and highlights the challenges employers face in meeting local regulations, responding to employee expectations and managing costs.
The report records 8,285 Indian companies with cross-border investments, an increase of around 53% in two years. These include companies across IT services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, fintech, engineering and consumer sectors, with operations in markets such as Singapore, the US and the UK. It also identifies nearly 34,500 foreign-owned businesses operating in India, up 17% over the same period. This includes 2,117 Global Capability Centres, which together employ more than 2.3 million people.
For employers, managing employees across different countries brings a common challenge: how to provide benefits that meet local regulations, remain competitive for employees and continue to make commercial sense. Indian companies entering a new market may initially have relatively small teams, but they are still expected to provide benefits that are relevant to the local workforce.
Cost and measurable value remain important considerations for Indian employers. Benefits programmes therefore need to balance local employee expectations with consistency, cost efficiency and a clear return on investment.
Long-term international deputations add another layer of complexity. Employers must consider international medical insurance, continuity of pension and retirement benefits, repatriation support and, in some cases, continued protection for parents and dependants in India. These requirements can vary significantly across markets and employee groups.
Foreign companies operating in India face a different set of pressures. As Global Capability Centres compete for talent, employee benefits are becoming an important part of attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Programmes designed at a global level may also need to be adapted to the expectations and needs of employees in India.
Howden and REBA’s research shows that half of multinational businesses, in India and globally, do not have a competitive global or multinational benefits strategy in place*. As more companies manage employees across multiple markets, the need for locally relevant, compliant and cost-effective benefits is becoming harder to overlook.
Howden x REBA Multinational Benefits Strategy Research 2023
Leigh Dauncey, Regional Employee Benefit Leader- India, Middle East and Africa at Howden, commented:
“As businesses scale internationally, whether they are Indian companies moving into new markets or global firms expanding their India operations, benefits design is quickly becoming a critical business consideration. Getting it right requires a partner who understands the compliance requirements of each market, the expectations of employees and the commercial need to demonstrate value.
“For Indian companies, the challenge is particularly nuanced. Benefits must support locally hired teams as well as employees on long-term international assignments, without losing sight of cost, consistency or the needs of families who may remain in India. Emerging multinationals need robust benefit structures designed for lean, fast-moving teams, and many are navigating this complexity without the right support.”
Pratyush Ranjan, Associate President & Head of Multinational Employee Benefits, Howden India, commented:
“Global companies are scaling their Capability Centres here and competing for talent, while a new generation of Indian companies is establishing teams overseas.
“For Indian employers, this often means finding the right balance between local compliance, employee expectations and cost efficiency. It also means addressing the needs of employees on long-term deputation, from international medical cover and retirement continuity to repatriation support and protection for dependants in India. The goal is to create benefits that work across borders while delivering clear and measurable value to the business.”
23, Sep 2026
Deep Depression Moves Slowly Towards Coast, Likely to Cross North AP-South Odisha Tonight: IMD
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 (UDN): The Deep Depression over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal is advancing slowly towards the coast and is expected to cross the North Andhra Pradesh–South Odisha coast later on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Representational Image
According to the latest IMD bulletin, the system moved westward at a speed of around 5 kmph during the past six hours and remained centred over the westcentral Bay of Bengal.
System Nears Kalingapatnam
The Deep Depression was located near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 84.6°E, the weather agency said.
At the time of the bulletin, the system was positioned approximately 60 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, 140 km east-northeast of Visakhapatnam, 150 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha and around 240 km south-southwest of Puri.
Landfall Expected Tonight
The IMD said the system is likely to continue moving west-northwestwards and cross the North Andhra Pradesh–South Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur.
The system is expected to make landfall close to Kalingapatnam as a Deep Depression by Wednesday night.
With the weather system approaching the coast, coastal districts of Odisha and adjoining areas are likely to remain under the influence of unsettled weather conditions. Authorities and residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert and follow official weather updates.
