SmartE appoints Palash Roy Chowdhury as new chairman

SmartE, one of India’s largest electric vehicle operator, owned by Treasure Vase Ventures (TVV), today announced the appointment of ex-Pratt & Whitney (P&W) India head, Palash Roy Chowdhury as its new managing director. Palash who until recently was a non-executive Co-Founder of SmartE, will join the organisation full-time as its chairman and managing Director. Palash spent the previous 18 years working with United Technologies Corporation (UTC) and its aircraft engine unit, Pratt & Whitney, both in India and USA. He had announced his departure last month to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

During his 18-year tenure at UTC, Palash held multiple leadership roles both in US as well as in India, spanning supply chain, program management, operations and general management. He has played an active role in India’s fast-growing aviation industry, holding multiple leadership roles in industry organizations such as AMCHAM and FICCI. Palash is also passionate about CSR and is a governing body member and the immediate past ‘Chair of United Way’ of Delhi NCR.

Announcing Palash’s move to SmartE, Goldie Srivastava, co-founder and CEO, SmartE said, ”I am very excited to welcome Palash to SmartE at a time when the country is witnessing a phenomenal momentum towards adoption of electric mobility. As a long-term aviation industry veteran, Palash bring excellent leadership skills that will play a crucial role in ensuring rapid and sustainable growth for SmartE.”

Commenting on his role at SmartE, Palash Roy Chowdhury, chairman and managing director, SmartE said, “I am proud of the work that SmartE has done in the last few years in addressing the last mile mobility challenge in an environmentally sustainable manner. The electric mobility eco-system in India has reached an inflection point beyond which we will see rapid growth. I am very excited about the potential that lies ahead of us. My immediate goal is to work with our co-founder and CEO, Goldie to create a world-class team, deploy technology and processes to help the organization capture this unprecedented opportunity.”