The leadership reshuffle at Eternal Ltd., the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, has put the spotlight on Albinder Dhindsa, who will take over as Group CEO from February 1, 2026. As the transition marks a new phase for the food delivery and quick commerce major, there's public interest around Dhindsa’s personal life—particularly his wife, Akriti Chopra, a former Zomato co-founder and one of the company’s earliest senior leaders.
As part of this transition, day-to-day operations and execution will now rest with Dhindsa. Goyal noted that operational control and business priorities would shift to him, reflecting confidence in his leadership style and execution capabilities. The changes will come into effect on February 1, 2026.
Source: Eternal Ltd. stock exchange filings and shareholder letter
Since then, Dhindsa has led Blinkit through a phase of aggressive expansion in quick commerce. Industry observers see his appointment as a sign that Eternal is entering a scale-up phase, with a stronger emphasis on operational discipline and execution.
Source: Company statements and media reports
Chopra joined Zomato in 2011 as a senior manager in finance and operations, when the company was still in its early growth stage. Over the years, she took on multiple leadership roles, including chief financial officer in 2019. Ahead of Zomato’s IPO, she was named a co-founder and later became the company’s chief people officer.
In September 2024, Chopra resigned from Zomato to pursue other interests, ending a nearly 13-year association with the company. Her exit was disclosed through a regulatory filing.
Leadership change at Eternal Ltd.
On January 21, Eternal Ltd. informed stock exchanges that founder Deepinder Goyal would step down as Group CEO and move into the role of vice chairman and director, subject to shareholder approval. In a letter to shareholders, Goyal explained that he wanted to focus on ideas that involved greater risk and experimentation, which he felt were better explored outside a public company structure. He added that the company needed to stay disciplined and focused on growth areas closely aligned with its existing business.As part of this transition, day-to-day operations and execution will now rest with Dhindsa. Goyal noted that operational control and business priorities would shift to him, reflecting confidence in his leadership style and execution capabilities. The changes will come into effect on February 1, 2026.
Source: Eternal Ltd. stock exchange filings and shareholder letter
Albinder Dhindsa’s journey to the top role
Dhindsa is no stranger to Zomato. An IIT Delhi graduate with an MBA from Columbia Business School, he worked at Zomato in its early years as Head of International Operations until 2014. He later founded Grofers, which was rebranded as Blinkit in 2021. Zomato acquired Blinkit in 2022 at a time when the grocery startup was struggling.Since then, Dhindsa has led Blinkit through a phase of aggressive expansion in quick commerce. Industry observers see his appointment as a sign that Eternal is entering a scale-up phase, with a stronger emphasis on operational discipline and execution.
Source: Company statements and media reports
Who is Akriti Chopra?
Akriti Chopra is widely recognised for her long association with Zomato and her role in shaping the company behind the scenes. Born in 1988, she studied at Delhi Public School, RK Puram, before completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi. She is also a qualified chartered accountant, having trained with PwC in tax and regulatory practices.Chopra joined Zomato in 2011 as a senior manager in finance and operations, when the company was still in its early growth stage. Over the years, she took on multiple leadership roles, including chief financial officer in 2019. Ahead of Zomato’s IPO, she was named a co-founder and later became the company’s chief people officer.
Her role in building Zomato
During her tenure, Chopra played a key role in strengthening Zomato’s internal systems. She was closely involved in setting up in-house legal, governance, risk and compliance teams, and supported several private funding rounds before the company went public. She also helped establish Zomato’s international presence during its global expansion phase, though the company later exited overseas markets.In September 2024, Chopra resigned from Zomato to pursue other interests, ending a nearly 13-year association with the company. Her exit was disclosed through a regulatory filing.
