Delhivery CEO Sahil Barua quits Swiggy board citing workload

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Sahil Barua, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of logistics unicorn Delhivery, quits from the board of food delivery platform Swiggy. The resignation, effective April 11, 2025, marks the end of Barua’s two-year tenure as an independent director. This move comes amid growing professional commitments at Delhivery, including its recent high-stakes acquisition of rival firm Ecom Express for ₹1,400 crore. Swiggy, which is actively preparing for its Initial Public Offering (IPO), announced the resignation through a regulatory filing. Barua cited his inability to dedicate sufficient time and attention as the key reason for stepping down, stating that the role demands full focus, which he currently cannot afford due to his leadership responsibilities at Delhivery.

Anand Kripalu, Chairperson of Swiggy’s Board, lauded Barua’s contributions, emphasizing his support during a crucial phase of growth and transformation. The board reshuffle also saw the induction of Bharti Airtel’s Akhil Gupta, signaling Swiggy’s strategic alignment ahead of its IPO. Barua, in turn, expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his admiration for Swiggy’s management and vision.

The departure highlights the increasing demands faced by startup executives, especially as companies scale and navigate pivotal transitions like public listings. Barua’s exit, while amicable and professional, is a reflection of the balancing act leaders must perform in India’s dynamic startup landscape.

1. About Delhivery: A Pioneering Logistics Unicorn

Delhivery is one of India’s foremost logistics and supply chain startups, known for transforming e-commerce logistics through cutting-edge technology. Founded in 2011 by Sahil Barua, Mohit Tandon, Bhavesh Manglani, Kapil Bharati, and Suraj Saharan, Delhivery started as a hyperlocal express delivery service for offline stores. Over time, it evolved into a pan-India logistics player, offering services across first-mile pickup, warehousing, last-mile delivery, reverse logistics, and freight services.

2. Founders’ Background and Vision

Sahil Barua, the face of Delhivery, is an alumnus of IIM Bangalore and a former consultant at Bain & Company. With his corporate expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, Barua laid the foundation for Delhivery’s data-driven, tech-first model. The founding team brought a mix of experience from logistics, consulting, and operations, creating a startup built to scale fast and solve complex supply chain problems in India.

3. Business Model and Services

Delhivery operates on an asset-light model supported by proprietary technology. It manages over 85 fulfillment centers and 3,000+ delivery points across India. The company provides services including parcel transportation, warehousing, freight, cross-border logistics, and supply chain SaaS products. With a focus on B2B and B2C segments, Delhivery partners with major e-commerce platforms, D2C brands, and offline retailers to streamline logistics.

4. Funding and Financial Growth

Delhivery has raised over $1.4 billion from top-tier investors such as SoftBank, Tiger Global, Nexus Venture Partners, and Carlyle Group. It became a unicorn in 2019 and listed on the Indian stock exchanges in May 2022. As of FY24, the company recorded revenues exceeding ₹7,200 crore, showing robust growth amid India’s booming e-commerce and retail logistics market.

5. Recent Developments and Ecom Express Acquisition

In a major strategic move, Delhivery recently acquired its competitor Ecom Express in an all-cash deal worth ₹1,400 crore. This acquisition significantly boosts Delhivery’s reach and operational strength, helping it capture a larger market share. Industry analysts have termed it a ‘firesale’ deal, as Ecom Express had been struggling to maintain profitability amid intense competition.

6. Delhivery CEO Quits Swiggy: What Triggered the Exit?

Delhivery CEO quits Swiggy board citing increased workload as the primary reason. Barua formally informed Swiggy’s board about his inability to commit the required time as an independent director, especially as Delhivery gears up for post-acquisition integration and future strategic initiatives.

7. Timeline and Official Statement

The resignation took effect at the close of business on April 11, 2025. Swiggy disclosed the development in a regulatory filing. Barua clarified that there were no other material reasons for the resignation besides professional workload. In his letter, he stated, “I believe it would be in the best interest of the company for me to step down and allow someone who can devote the requisite time and focus.”

8. Leadership Acknowledgement and Reaction

Anand Kripalu, Chairperson of Swiggy’s Board, highlighted Barua’s instrumental role during Swiggy’s transformation journey. He acknowledged the strategic value Barua brought as one of the first independent directors and thanked him for his dedicated service over the past two years.

9. Swiggy’s IPO Preparations and Board Reshuffle

The development coincides with Swiggy’s advanced preparations for a highly anticipated IPO. In a related move, Bharti Airtel’s Vice Chairman Akhil Gupta joined the board as an independent director. This suggests that Swiggy is actively recalibrating its leadership team to align with public market expectations and regulatory compliance norms.

10. Industry Trends: Leadership Transitions Amid IPO Moves

As more Indian startups eye public markets, board transitions like Barua’s are becoming increasingly common. Investors and analysts note that such shifts often reflect operational priorities and a focus on governance. The logistics and food delivery sectors, both capital-intensive, are undergoing rapid consolidation and innovation.

11. Swiggy’s Recent Initiatives

Swiggy continues to push innovation through its offerings. It recently launched “MaxxSaver” on Instamart, providing discounts for cart values above ₹999, while maintaining its 10-minute delivery promise. Such consumer-focused strategies are vital as Swiggy competes with players like Zomato and Blinkit.

12. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs

This development underscores key lessons for startup founders and leaders. Firstly, the importance of time allocation—high-level roles demand full commitment, especially when scaling or managing acquisitions. Secondly, building robust governance structures is crucial as startups transition to public companies. Lastly, leaders must make strategic exits when necessary to focus on their core responsibilities.

Startups should prioritize succession planning and transparency in leadership changes. For entrepreneurs, Barua’s decision reflects a responsible leadership style—stepping aside when one can no longer add optimal value.

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