Sula Vineyards Looks to Its Next Growth Phase as Former COO Joins Board
Former COO at Sula Vineyards returns as Non-Executive Director, bringing more than two decades of experience across consumer businesses, alcobev, hospitality, investments and entrepreneurship
By SOH Edit Team
Sula Vineyards Limited has announced the appointment of Chaitanya Rathi as an Additional Non-Executive Non-Independent Director.
Rathi most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Sula Vineyards from 2019 to 2023, overseeing multiple business functions and leading a team of more than 400 employees.
He was also part of the leadership team that steered Sula through its successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2022, a significant milestone in the company’s corporate journey.
His association with Sula dates back to 2006. During his first tenure, from 2006 to 2013, Rathi contributed to the company’s formative growth years and was instrumental in establishing and scaling its hospitality and wine tourism business.
Wine tourism has since emerged as an important extension of the Sula brand. The company today welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually and continues to expand its wine tourism and hospitality footprint.
Commenting on the appointment, Rajeev Samant, CEO, Sula Vineyards, said: “Chaitanya has helped shape our wine tourism business and played a key role in Sula’s IPO journey. His entrepreneurial mindset and diverse experience will bring valuable perspective as we take Sula into its next phase of growth.”
Bringing a Broader Perspective
Beyond Sula, Rathi has built experience across high-growth consumer businesses, investments and entrepreneurship. He has held senior operating and investment roles and has served as a board member and strategic advisor to several companies.
He is currently the Founder of Searchlight ETA, an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and Search Fund platform in India.
Commenting on his new role, Chaitanya Rathi said: “Sula continues to be very close to me, having been an important part of my journey. I look forward to bringing the perspective and experience I have gained from working with and investing in diverse consumer businesses to support Sula’s next phase of growth.”
His return to Sula’s Board is expected to bring together his institutional knowledge of the company with the broader perspective gained through his work with and investments in diverse consumer businesses.
Rathi’s appointment adds an executive with direct knowledge of Sula’s operating history, hospitality business and public-market journey to the company’s Board. His combination of operational, investment and entrepreneurial experience is expected to provide an additional strategic perspective as Sula pursues its next phase of growth.
