MAM
Dentsu revamps global leadership, names Takeshi Sano global CEO
New structure aims to sharpen execution, accelerate transformation and drive client growth
Tokyo: Dentsu Group has unveiled a sweeping global management shake-up, appointing Takeshi Sano as president & global ceo, effective March 27, 2026. The move is aimed at supercharging execution, driving client growth and accelerating the group’s transformation across 120 countries.
Sano, who currently serves as ceo, dentsu Japan and deputy global coo, has transformed Dentsu Inc. into an integrated growth partner, delivering 11 straight quarters of revenue growth and strong profits for two consecutive years. Since 2023, he has steered dentsu’s business transformation globally as BX ceo, dentsu, and strengthened Japanese client expansion overseas.
“To support the pace of our transformation and strengthen execution, dentsu will sharpen the distinctive value that sets us apart, positioning ourselves as a true growth partner from strategy through execution,” Sano said. “By creating momentum for clients, partners, people and society, we will reinforce trust and steadily enhance corporate value.”
Under the new management, the global coo and global president roles are being removed. Regional CEOs and practice presidents will now report directly to Sano, enabling faster decisions and tighter client alignment. A new global chief transformation officer and global chief corporate affairs officer have been appointed to accelerate enterprise initiatives and reinforce governance.
Yoshimasa Watahiki, currently Coo, dentsu Japan, steps up as director, representative executive officer, executive vice president and global chief corporate affairs officer. Shigeki Endo remains global cfo, bringing over 30 years of global finance expertise to the fore. Both, along with Sano, are slated for approval as directors at the March 27 shareholders’ meeting.
Other key appointments include: Beth Ann Kaminkow as ceo, dentsu Americas & chief global client officer; Andre Andrade, ceo, dentsu EMEA; Yuichi Toyoda, ceo, dentsu APAC; Will Swayne, global practice president – media & integrated solution; Pete Stein, global practice president – CXM; Yasuharu Sasaki, global chief creative officer; Miho Tanimoto, global chief HR officer; Noritaka Omi, global chief transformation officer; Jean Lin, global chief brand officer; Yoshiki Ishihara, global new ventures officer; Manus Wheeler, chief of staff; Jeremy Miller, global chief communications officer; Shirli Zelcer, chief data & technology officer.
Additionally, Toby Benjamin has been appointed as chief media officer at dentsu UK.
The shake-up comes as dentsu looks to accelerate its transformation, strengthen governance, and deliver measurable growth for clients worldwide. “By eliminating redundant layers and empowering leaders closest to clients, we can act faster, execute better and generate sustainable value,” Sano added.
Hiroshi Igarashi, Arinobu Soga and Giulio Malegori will step down from the global management team and take on advisory roles, marking a clean slate for the new executive leadership.
With a sharpened management engine, Dentsu is betting on speed, unity and client-centric execution to drive its next chapter of global growth.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
