Zomato’s Independent Director Gunjan Soni Steps Down Amid Growing Work Commitments

In a significant development, Gunjan Soni, an independent director at Zomato, has resigned due to increasing professional responsibilities. The company announced her resignation in a recent exchange filing, effective from the end of business hours on October 11, 2024.

In her resignation letter, Soni expressed her gratitude for her time at Zomato but noted that the demands of her other roles—particularly as Chief Operating Officer of Global Fashion Group (GFG) and CEO of Zalora SEA—made it challenging to continue in her director position. “Due to my increased work commitments, I hereby tender my resignation as an independent director of the company,” she stated. Soni will also step down from the risk management and corporate social responsibility committees, clarifying that her departure was solely due to her busy schedule and not influenced by any other factors.

Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, praised Soni’s contributions during her tenure. “It was wonderful to partner with Gunjan. Her valuable insights and guidance have been instrumental to our growth,” he said. Goyal acknowledged the impact of her departure but expressed understanding of her situation, wishing her continued success in her future endeavors.

Gunjan Soni joined Zomato’s board in July 2021 and has since played a vital role in shaping the company’s strategy. Reflecting on her decision, she remarked, “Stepping down was a tough choice, driven by my growing professional commitments. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board and have confidence in Zomato’s management team and future direction.”

Soni’s resignation comes shortly after the departure of Zomato’s Co-founder and Chief People Officer, Akriti Chopra, who left the company in late September after a long tenure since 2011.

With these changes, Zomato navigates a period of transition, poised to continue its growth in the ever-evolving food tech landscape.