In a strategic move aimed at propelling its growth trajectory, Delightful Gourmet, the parent company of the popular direct-to-consumer (D2C) meat and seafood brand Licious, has appointed Karishma Gupta as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With Licious eyeing an expansion spree and gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), Gupta’s extensive financial expertise comes as a valuable asset to steer the company towards sustainable profitability.
Under Gupta’s leadership, Licious plans to open over 500 stores across 20 cities in the next five years, setting ambitious targets for operational profitability by the end of the current fiscal year. Gupta’s mandate includes not only driving financial efficiency but also establishing robust governance frameworks and standard operating procedures (SOPs) essential for navigating the pre-IPO phase.
Karishma Gupta, aged 39 and a seasoned chartered accountant, brings over 18 years of multifaceted financial experience to her new role. Her career journey, spanning across multinational and Indian corporations, reflects a proven track record in optimizing business performance, financial management, and executing successful mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Licious, Gupta played pivotal roles in orchestrating expansion and turnaround strategies for renowned brands, including a notable stint at Jubilant Foodworks.
Karishma Gupta herself conveyed excitement about heading Licious’s financial strategy during this pivotal phase of its journey. She underscored the company’s commitment to innovation-led growth and affirmed her dedication to steering Licious towards its next phase of transformative expansion.
Gupta’s appointment not only underscores Licious’s commitment to gender diversity but also positions her as one of the youngest women CFOs in India, a testament to her exceptional leadership and financial acumen.
Commenting on the appointment, Vivek Gupta and Abhay Hanjura, co-founders of Licious, expressed confidence in Gupta’s ability to fortify the company’s financial standing amidst its remarkable growth. They emphasized the importance of maintaining financial health, fostering innovation, and reinforcing Licious’s position as a market leader in the burgeoning D2C segment.
Karishma Gupta’s stellar career trajectory, coupled with Licious’s ambitious growth agenda, sets the stage for an exciting chapter in the company’s evolution. As it embarks on this journey under Gupta’s financial stewardship, Licious is poised to redefine the landscape of India’s culinary industry, one delectable step at a time.