eBay India names Latif Nathani as MD

eBay India has appointed Latif Nathani as managing director. Nathani replaces Muralikrishnan B, who will switch responsibilities by the end of the quarter and explore entrepreneurial opportunities outside eBay. In 2011, Muralikrishnan replaced Ambareesh Murty as eBay India country manager. Murty has led eBay India as country manager since March, 2008.

In April, eBay India appointed Alok Agarwal as director, marketing, replacing former CMO Kashyap Vadapalli, who resigned to join lifestyle e-commerce marketplace, Pepperfry.com as CMO and head of new business.

Nathani has 22 years of experience including a 15-year career at Microsoft and Symantec. Most recently, he served as CEO of a product strategy consulting firm. He also led a consumer incubator for Microsoft India (including equity investments in mobile payments), headed global product marketing for Symantec's Norton business and was co-founder of eMemories.com.

On his appointment, Nathani says, "I am excited about leading the thriving eBay India business, a market leader in India that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs make a livelihood as well as provide vast selection and great deals to millions of consumers. The marketplaces business model fascinates me and I look forward to steering the talented India team to even greater heights."

Jay Lee, senior vice-president and managing director, Asia Pacific, eBay, says, "India will be a mobile first market with the vast majority of Indian consumers having their first online transaction on a smartphone or tablet. Mr. Nathani's deep experience in mobile, combined with his solid professional track record in India and the US make him an ideal candidate to lead eBay's Indian business through the exciting changes ahead."