Mumbai: India’s most desirable luxury car maker, Mercedes-Benz, today announced an organizational change in its External Affairs and Corporate Citizenship function. The company has appointed Dr Shyam Sunder as the head of external affairs and corporate citizenship, effective from 26 August 2024. Dr Shyam will report to Santosh Iyer, managing director & CEO. In his new role, Dr Shyam will lead Mercedes-Benz India’s government relations, public policy advocacy, and policy initiatives. He will foster close collaboration with policymakers and industry leaders, and work to build communities through Mercedes-Benz’s diverse corporate citizenship programmes.

Mercedes-Benz India managing director and CEO Santosh Iyer“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Shyam Sunder as the Head of External Affairs and Corporate Citizenship at Mercedes-Benz India. His extensive experience and deep understanding of external affairs will be invaluable in conveying our views to policymakers and actively participating in various industry associations. Dr. Shyam’s expertise aligns with our commitment to fostering close collaboration with policymakers and external stakeholders, and driving impactful corporate social initiatives at Mercedes-Benz.”

Dr Shyam Sunder holds a master’s degree in Econometrics and a Ph.D. in Economics. With an impressive career spanning approximately 24 years, he has held pivotal roles related to driving public policy & advocacy and Government engagements at prominent automotive OEMs in the past. He has also worked with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), where he played a vital role in shaping public policy and fostering industry collaborations. His extensive expertise in public affairs, policy advocacy and strategic stakeholder engagements firmly underscores his adeptness in managing external affairs and navigating intricate regulatory landscapes for the company.