Zomato co-founder and Chief People Officer Akriti Chopra has officially stepped down from her role, marking the conclusion of her remarkable 13-year journey with the company. Chopra, who joined the food delivery giant in 2011, resigned with immediate effect, a decision that was formally communicated to Zomato's CEO, Deepinder Goyal, through a heartfelt email. In her message, she expressed her gratitude and reflected on her years of service, stating, "These 13 years have been an incredibly enriching journey. Thank you for everything. I'm just a call away. Wishing you and Eternal all the very best." Her departure was also swiftly communicated to the stock exchanges by Zomato.
Chopra began her career at Zomato as a senior manager in finance and operations, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's financial architecture during its early stages. Over the years, she took on increasingly senior roles, becoming an integral part of Zomato’s leadership. She was eventually elevated to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a role she served in until 2020, when Akshant Goyal took over. In her most recent capacity as Chief People Officer, Chopra was responsible for overseeing the company’s human resources, people strategy, and organizational culture, helping Zomato navigate the challenges of rapid expansion and growth.
Chopra’s tenure at Zomato coincided with some of the company's most significant milestones, including its expansion into new markets, its IPO, and its rise to becoming one of India's leading food tech companies. Her leadership contributed to critical initiatives that defined the company’s growth, such as refining Zomato’s financial systems, scaling its workforce, and fostering a company culture that allowed it to innovate and thrive in the hyper-competitive food delivery industry. Her deep understanding of both finance and people management made her a vital asset to Zomato during these transformative years.
The news of Chopra’s departure comes at a time when Zomato is continuing to adapt to the ever-evolving dynamics of the food delivery market, competing not only with local rivals but also with global players in the industry. With food delivery becoming more competitive and consumer preferences shifting, Chopra's exit signals a major transition for the company’s leadership team. It remains unclear who will step into her role or if Zomato will look to restructure the Chief People Officer position shortly. However, given her long association with the company and the depth of her experience, Chopra’s absence will undoubtedly be felt across the organization.
Her decision to leave Zomato also comes at a time when the company is reportedly exploring new growth avenues, including potential expansions into adjacent industries like grocery delivery and cloud kitchens. Zomato’s leadership has been tasked with steering the company through a new phase of growth, where it must balance profitability with innovation, and Chopra’s departure may prompt further shifts within the leadership structure as Zomato recalibrates for the future.
Chopra has not yet revealed any immediate future plans post-Zomato, though her vast experience across finance, operations, and HR positions her well for future leadership roles in other industries. For now, her departure marks the end of an era for Zomato, a company she helped build from its early days into a household name across India and beyond. As Zomato moves forward, it does so with the legacy of Chopra’s leadership and contributions, which have played an integral part in shaping the company’s current trajectory.
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