In a notable shift for India’s food-tech giant Zomato, co-founder and Chief People Officer Akriti Chopra has stepped down, effective immediately. Zomato confirmed her resignation via a stock exchange filing on Friday, September 27, 2024. Chopra, a long-serving member of the Zomato leadership team, joined the company in 2011 and was instrumental in guiding it through key milestones, including its initial public offering (IPO) in 2021.

Chopra’s exit marks a significant moment for Zomato, as she was among the company’s key figures, playing crucial roles in finance and governance. Before taking on the position of Chief People Officer, she served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), helping to build the company’s internal finance structure and leading several funding rounds. Her leadership also facilitated Zomato’s global expansion.

In her resignation letter to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal, Chopra expressed gratitude for the 13-year journey and noted her intention to explore other interests. Despite the confirmation of her departure, no further comments from Chopra have been made public.

Chopra’s exit is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from Zomato in recent years. She becomes the fifth co-founder to leave the company, following in the footsteps of Pankaj Chaddah (2018), Gaurav Gupta (2021), Mohit Gupta (2022), and Gunjan Patidar (2023). Concerns have surfaced over potential conflicts of interest after Zomato’s acquisition of Blinkit in 2022, given that Chopra is married to Blinkit founder Albinder Dhindsa. However, Goyal clarified that Chopra had no involvement in the acquisition discussions or decisions.

As Zomato continues its rapid growth in a highly competitive sector, the company faces the challenge of sustaining momentum while managing executive transitions. With key leaders exiting, Zomato will need to reassess its internal leadership dynamics to ensure continued success in the fast-evolving food delivery industry.