Managing Director – Edelman India

With over 25 years of experience in public relations, public affairs and strategic communications, Rakesh Thukral has successfully led the growth journey of Edelman India over the last five years, first as chief operating officer and then as managing director.  Under him, the operations of Edelman India have grown manifold, adding scale and breadth.

Rakesh was instrumental in setting up Edelman India’s award-winning Public Affairs practice that brings together understanding of policy making, regulatory affairs and communications to develop and execute campaigns with impactful strategies.

Rakesh has closely worked with the Government of India as well as the governments of Delhi, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

His experience in the energy, environment and the development sectors includes his work as Communications & Outreach Advisor for the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Union Ministry of Power. He led a team of experts from Edelman India to successfully undertake the mandate for COP21 in Paris in 2015.

Rakesh has also advised a host of blue-chip business organisations, including the Tata Group, Walmart, Unilever, Pepsi, SoftBank, Microsoft and Airbus, and civil society organisations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Tata Trusts and TERI.

Rakesh is a member of the Governing Board at Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI), an NGO devoted to facilitating enabling environments for children and adults.