Titan's first MD Xerxes Desai no more

Xerxes Desai, former vice chairman and managing director of Titan Company, passed away in Bengaluru on Monday. He was 79, and is survived by his wife Rajani, a son, daughter, sister and grandchildren.

Desai is considered to be a great visionary, who spearheaded many innovations that drove Titan through many of its developments in the realms of advertising, store layout and product design, among others. 
                          
Reminiscing his times working with Desai, former vice president of Titan Company, Vikram Rajaram said: “Desai was one of those rare breeds of business leaders whose interests were wider than making profits. He was extremely well read, and was greatly influenced by JRD Tata.”

Before coming to Titan, Desai spent many years with Indian Hotels, and one of his projects included setting up of the new wing at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. Being the first managing director of Titan from its inception up to 2003, he is also credited with the company’s foray into the jewellery business in 1994. “All products of Titan are drawing from the strengths of the Titan brand that Desai helped build,” Rajaram said.