Google has announced the appointment of Preeti Lobana as the new head of its India operations. This crucial role has been unfilled since Sanjay Gupta was elevated to president of the Asia-Pacific region in July.
Lobana, who previously served as the vice president of advertising technology at Google, will step into this position as the company intensifies its focus on artificial intelligence products in India amidst growing competition in the digital landscape. She has been with Google since 2016.
India represents a significant market for Google, which has invested billions to connect hundreds of millions of users to the internet and to help local businesses transition to digital platforms. In 2020, the tech giant pledged an additional $10 billion investment in the country.
However, Google is also navigating increasing regulatory challenges in India, the world’s second-largest market for internet and wireless services. In 2022, the Indian government imposed a $162 million fine on Google for anti-competitive practices related to its Android operating system. Shortly thereafter, the company faced another penalty of $113 million for allegedly abusing its dominant position with the Google Play Store, which powers over 95% of smartphones in the region.
In March of this year, the Indian antitrust authority launched a new investigation into Google, accusing the company of enforcing its in-app billing policies in a manner deemed “unfair” and “discriminatory.”
Roma Datta Chobey, who has been serving as the interim head, will revert to overseeing the company’s digital business unit.
Prior to her tenure at Google, Lobana built a robust career in the banking sector, holding roles at NatWest, American Express, and Standard Chartered.
In a LinkedIn post, Lobana expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to shape the future with AI, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for businesses to enhance productivity, address critical challenges, and develop innovative solutions.”
