FirstCry’s Company Secretary Neelam Jethani Steps Down to Explore New Career Opportunities

FirstCry, a leading baby and mother care retailer has announced the resignation of its company secretary and compliance officer, Neelam Jethani. The company’s parent firm, Brainbees Solutions, informed the Indian stock exchanges about Jethani’s decision in a regulatory filing on Thursday. According to the filing, Jethani is stepping down to pursue new opportunities for professional growth. Her resignation will take effect at the close of business on March 15, 2024.  

Jethani has been a key part of FirstCry for over two years, overseeing critical aspects of compliance and corporate governance. Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the omnichannel retailer, which has been expanding rapidly in the competitive baby and mother care market. Before joining FirstCry, Jethani built a strong professional background, including a stint as a deputy manager at Schaeffler and over five years as an assistant manager at Persistent Systems.  

The news of her resignation comes at a pivotal time for FirstCry, which recently made its stock market debut and has been working to solidify its position as a market leader. The company’s shares reacted to the announcement, opening 2.85% lower on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday, trading at Rs 405.15 per share. While the dip reflects investor sensitivity to leadership changes, analysts believe the long-term impact on FirstCry’s performance will depend on how smoothly the transition is managed.  

FirstCry has not yet disclosed plans for Jethani’s replacement but the company is expected to begin the search for a new company secretary and compliance officer soon. The role is crucial for ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and maintaining robust corporate governance, especially as FirstCry continues to scale its operations.  

Jethani’s departure highlights the challenges companies face in retaining top talent amid growing competition for skilled professionals. Her decision to explore new opportunities underscores the dynamic nature of the corporate landscape, where executives often seek fresh challenges to further their careers.  

As FirstCry navigates this leadership change, the focus will be on maintaining its growth trajectory and strengthening its governance framework. The company, known for its extensive range of baby and maternity products, has built a strong reputation among Indian parents and its ability to manage this transition effectively will be closely watched by stakeholders.  

FirstCry is one of India’s largest and most trusted baby and mother care retailers, offering a wide range of products through its online platform and a vast network of physical stores. The company has become a go-to destination for parents, providing everything from baby essentials to maternity care products.