Former Apple exec joins Google to lead smartphone biz in India

Former Apple executive Mitul Shah has been appointed the Managing Director of Devices and Services Business at Google India. Shah announced his appointment on LinkedIn on Wednesday, stating that he would be now leading Pixel’s sales and expansion in India. 

Shah joins Google after spending last nine years at Apple. His last held role at the iPhone maker was as the head of consumer sales in the company’s Gurugram unit for nearly three years.

“To everyone who has asked me in the last few weeks, why "switch" from Apple? This is not a switch. This is a continuation of the mission of putting world's best technology in the hands of fellow countrymen and women. I couldn't be more fortunate to have an opportunity to deliver [the] transformative power of AI and meaningful experiences to Indian consumers, with an immensely committed and talented team,” Shah wrote in a LinkedIn post. 

“I'm particularly thrilled to be working on a product that has the potential to put the magic and power of AI in the pockets of millions of people across my beloved country.”

Apart from Apple, Shah worked with multinational companies such as Accenture and Infosys Technologies. He is a tech and retail sector veteran with a total experience of over two decades. Shah is an alum of Nirma Institute of Technology and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. 

In early 2023, Google began manufacturing Pixel smartphones locally in India. In October, Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President, revealed the company's partnership with both international and domestic collaborators to assemble Pixel devices within the country.