Jio Platforms has appointed Pankaj Pawar as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), replacing Kiran Thomas ahead of the company’s proposed initial public offering (IPO).
As per media reports, Thomas resigned as CEO on March 23, 2026, with Pawar assuming charge on March 24, 2026. Pawar, 53, will continue to serve as Managing Director of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited alongside his new role at Jio Platforms.
Pawar is a Reliance Group veteran who has been associated with the organisation since 2000 and brings nearly three decades of experience in building and scaling consumer and digital services businesses. Thomas, who previously also served as President of Reliance Industries, does not feature among the key managerial personnel listed in the draft prospectus.
The CEO transition comes as Jio Platforms prepares for one of India’s largest-ever public offerings. The company is reportedly targeting an IPO of around $4 billion, with a potential valuation of approximately $137 billion, as Reliance Industries looks to unlock value from its telecom and digital services businesses.
