Focus on smart banking

Citibank has appointed Anand Selvakesari as head of consumer banking for Asia Pacific. Selvakesar will manage all of Citi's consumer businesses in Asia across the 12 markets where Citi offers retail banking, wealth management, cards and mortgages.

He takes over from Jonathan Larsen who, in his new role, will be the global retail banking and mortgage head with the additional responsibilities of US retail banking and mortgages.

As global head of retail banking since 2012 while simultaneously serving as head of consumer banking in Asia Pacific since 2009, Larsen played a pivotal role transforming Citi's retail bank globally.

New leader at Lenovo

Lenovo has appointed Rahul Agarwal as managing director for India. Agarwal takes over from Amar Babu, who will in turn take on a regional role as COO, Lenovo, Asia Pacific, and chairman, Lenovo India.

Agarwal was earlier executive director, commercial and enterprise business, at the company; Agarwal takes charge at a time when Lenovo is gearing up for its next phase of growth in the country, diversifying beyond personal computers into smart, connected devices while maintaining a strong PC focus.

The aim is to transforming into a global consumer technology brand differentiating itself on innovation and design.

Creative touch

Grey Group India has appointed Louella Rebello as senior executive creative director, Mumbai. She will be an integral part of the group's creative leadership team.

In her previous position, she headed the Mumbai office of TBWA/India and served on accounts such as Nissan, Datsun, Kuoni Travel, Standard Chartered, Cigna TTK Health Insurance and Singapore Airlines. Rebello has worked with O&M from 2003 to 2011, leaving the agency as a senior creative director.

A dash of digital

Ourbit, the digital division of Ideosphere Group, has bagged the digital media mandate for Microsoft Ventures India.

Ourbit will be responsible for creating and finetuning Microsoft Ventures' online dialogue with the start-up community to make their mentorship programme accessible to a wider audience. Microsoft Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Microsoft in India, provides start-ups access to key influencers and know-how.