Subrata Datta takes over as Fabindia CEO

Subrata Datta, the former CEO of Samsonite India

has taken charge as CEO of Fabindia. At Fabindia, Datta, will be reporting in to Wiliam Bissell, the Managing Director, and to the Board. An engineer from IIT Kanpur, Dutta started his career at CESC.

In 2007 he moved as Managing Director at Samsonite, which position he held till Dec 2012. At Samsonite, he was responsible for the business in India, Middle East and East Africa including the exclusive retail business as also management of the global sourcing factory in Nashik.

Fabindia was founded in 1960 by the American John Bissell, to market the vast and vibrant craft traditions of India. When William Bissell took over the company from his father John Bissell in the 90’s, he transformed it from an export house into a national retail brand. William Bissell and family still own 50 percent stake in Fabindia, while Wolfensohn held 8 percent now acquired by L Capital. The company’s employees own the balance 42 percent. After the L Capital deal last year, Azim Premji invested Rs 100-125 crores in it for a 7 percent stake valuing the retailer at about fifteen hundred crores.