Jyotsna came on board as the CFO and Head of IT of Bridgestone India, around two-and-a-half years ago - in April 2018. Since then, she has ensured attentive capacities are in place, thus focusing on maintaining cost control and delegating financial management. Afterall, the tyre industry is highly competitive and market-driven. And yes, digital evolution and safety of her colleagues and business partners have become one of her top priorities during the pandemic.

Raised in a modest and orthodox business family of six daughters, principles such as hard work, humility, and honesty were a natural part of growing up for her. Married at the age of twenty-one, Jyotsna wanted to be more than just a housewife. Thus, she pursued her grinding CA qualification while being a mother of a baby boy.

“I pursued further education and got a professional qualification, CA, in 1994. Not an easy call in any way. The profession itself was demanding and then to be able to garner the support of the larger family was a big task considering the social norms at the time. However, with the great support from my in-laws, my husband Rajesh, and my conviction, I managed to pursue this new path,” Jyotsna recalls.

When asked about what she would attribute to the leadership qualities she has achieved, she reflects on her family background and the formative years of her life. Marriage was the ultimate end-goal for all girls back then, she says. But, her father, who was a civil engineer, and ran a unit into precision tools manufacturing, understood the value of education. He ensured all his daughters received quality higher education. This paid off as all of Jyotsna’s sisters are highly qualified across different streams.

Jyotsna also mentions the underlying importance of financial independence that was ever-present while growing up. These values, coupled with formal education and academics, added to her versatile calibre. However, she says studies were never her cup of tea. Her interests were games, food, and fun. Having done her graduation at BMCC, life was relatively stress-free then.

However, getting married at the early age was a turning point in her life when she braved the conventional social norms at the time and pursued her CA studies. She adds that the journey from 1989-1994 was full of challenges, excitement, courage, and family support. Significant challenges to pursue her CA were to convince the in-laws to allow her to go and live in a hostel and study and to be able to meet social obligations as a newly-wed woman, and not being able to give time to her son.

 “To be able to give my 100% to the studies amidst all of this was quite difficult. However, I always kept my eye on the big picture.”

Jyotsna started her professional career at Kinetic Honda, a manufacturing organisation which, she says, was not perceived to be ideal for women and had limitations to growth. “But that made me work even harder. However, it was a role of my choice, and I worked with them for nine years, and those were my formative career years. A combination of experience at Firodiya, a well-respected business house and a Japanese business brand is great learning for any finance professional. I took additional responsibilities on multiple functions and projects to rise the ladder at a good pace as by now; I had found my Ikigai- a reason to live.”

 “Amidst all this, the family challenges continued as my husband Rajesh had moved to Singapore, and I single-handedly attended to our son”.

At the workplace, she always ensures that she works hard and does everything from grassroots and is never bothered about her designation and qualification as, for her, that is a means and not an end. “Over the years, I worked on building and strengthening relationships and never really kept any limitations to what I wanted to achieve.”

COVID has turned the auto industry upside down. New normal is becoming a part of life and businesses as well. Whereas the challenges of COVID have been unprecedented, it also brought new ways of doing businesses. Now employee safety is becoming a top priority, while digital evolution is bringing a new era ahead of the industry.

At Bridgestone, Jyotsna says, the safety of their people and safeguarding their operations have been the topmost priority. Ever since COVID first hit the country, the company took proactive measures to not only keep the people safe but, also streamline operations in the wake of new normal. Furthermore, at the back of accelerated digitisation, Bridgestone India has been able to bring the right solutions for its consumers as well as ensure the same levels of productivity within the organisation. 

When asked about how she feels about working in such a dynamic industry, Jyotsna says, “The automobile industry is where my professional career is slated. Kinetic Honda, SKF Bearings, NRB Bearings, Sandvik Asia and now Bridgestone are my performing turfs. One side of the industry, i.e., channel partners, are the same - similar channels set up requirements, risks, opportunities, and expectations of the partners. What differs is the strength of the product and strength of the competitor. Bridgestone, with its world-class Japanese technology in tyre manufacturing, is one of the leading and most trusted brands with all the strengths on the product, manufacturing, and innovation.” 

“The market in India is huge, and the progressive growth and demographics of the country are definitely positive. At Bridgestone India, we are financially secure with a good product range, best manufacturing facilities, substantial market share, reliable channel partners and an ambitious and committed workforce. The biggest risk is getting complacent and losing focus on cost. The tyre industry is competitive, and market driven. Also, the capacities are in place, thus keeping focus and maintaining cost control is the financial management challenge which is exciting.”

Like everyone, COVID has influenced Jyotsna’s personal and professional life. According to her, COVID was a blessing in disguise to be able to spend all this time at home and spending time to call and check on all near and dear ones, reconnecting, rejuvenating were positives in this situation.

However, work from home bears multiple challenges and ,for her the divide between official work and domestic duties was practically invisible. As the Head of IT and CFO, Jyotsna had a great responsibility to ensure the digital solutions were up and running and without causing the loss of productivity at the same time managing concerns around security and support. “As a CFO, a time to complete FY 20 financials and audits, and the Mid-term – 3 years business plan process which were very challenging.”

“But I would say the times have tested my abilities to stay strong under all situations. I would like to say this to my fellow leaders that encourage your teams throughout and keep the work exciting as always. This will ensure a positive sentiment in these trying times.”

As much as work is refreshing with so much happening, Jyotsna does take personal time to recharge. She loves to drive and have been doing rallies like Raid the Himalaya, Desert Storm, Spice Challenge. She has also done international driving vacations.

 “Amidst the lockdown, I recently drove to Bangalore to be with my son Prateek. The memory of absolutely traffic-free roads and my car racing at 230-250 with confidence to touch Bangalore from Pune non-stop in 9 hours was wonderful. We drove through Kabini and spent a holiday together, making memories.”

“I also like to read, so I took this opportunity to download the most read books Ikigai, Atomic Habits, Just do It – the Nike story and many more.”

 “Netflix was another relaxing way to spend some time, and the most exciting watch for me was Drills apart from many others. I love to socialise and continued e-socialising as well.”

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Hankook Tire has earned a notable honour in the 2026 Auto Express Product Awards, with its Ventus evo model receiving a commendation within the Summer Tyre classification. The recognition places the company’s flagship ultra-high-performance tyre among the year’s most impressive automotive products as determined by the influential British publication.

This accolade traces back to an extensive comparative analysis conducted by Auto Express, the findings of which first appeared in the magazine’s August 2025 edition. The testing regimen focused on the widely used 225/40 R18 size and featured nine competing brands. The subsequent awards announcement, which included this commendation, was made public in the periodical's April 2026 issue.

Evaluation protocols were notably exhaustive, encompassing both wet and dry surface assessments alongside metrics such as rolling resistance and acoustic comfort. Wet-track drills scrutinised braking distances, cornering stability and aquaplaning resistance, while dry-track sessions measured steering precision, grip levels and chassis balance. Judges additionally conducted subjective road tests to gauge steering feedback and ride quality across diverse pavement types.

The Ventus evo ultimately claimed third position overall, distinguishing itself particularly through superior wet-weather capabilities, including braking performance that rivalled the category leader. Designed as the newest iteration of Hankook’s premier summer tyre line, the product incorporates sophisticated tread architecture aimed at premium sports sedans and coupes. This commendation bolsters Hankook’s reputation for engineering tyres that adeptly harmonise dynamic handling, safety margins and cost-effectiveness for discerning motorists.

Ho Seok Chea, Managing Director, Hankook Tyre UK, said, “Independent third-party testing is a valuable endorsement of our engineering standards, confirming that our products provide the quality, performance and long-term reliability expected in real-world conditions.”

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Mitas has confirmed its role as the Main Sponsor for the 71st World Ploughing Championship, scheduled to take place from 3 to 6 September 2026 in Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia. This engagement follows the brand’s notable participation in the 2025 edition held in the Czech Republic, reinforcing its dedication to premier agricultural events that honour farming heritage.

Organised under the World Ploughing Organisation, the competition will draw participants and agricultural professionals from over 30 nations. The event serves as a global stage for ploughing proficiency, embodying precision and land stewardship – principles that resonate with Mitas’ ongoing mission to support the farming community worldwide. The company will leverage its sponsorship to secure a visible event presence, facilitating direct interaction with farmers, dealers and industry partners at its dedicated stand.

Attendees can explore the company’s latest agricultural tyre innovations, including the GRANTERRA series for high-horsepower tractors and the AGRITERRA ULTRA for transport applications. Additionally, Mitas will back the Croatian national ploughing team, aiding local competitors in their home-country challenge against elite international ploughmen and women.

Roberta D'Agnano, Global Brand Director Mitas at Yokohama TWS, said "Ploughing is one of the oldest agricultural skills, yet it remains a powerful symbol of everything that makes farming extraordinary: precision, experience and dedication to the land. That is why the World Ploughing Championship feels so close to the Mitas spirit. It brings together people who share a genuine passion for agriculture and a constant drive to do things better. We are proud to return as Main Sponsor, supporting these passionate teams and showcasing solutions that help farmers tackle today's challenges with confidence."

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has forged a new alliance with Sheffield City Council aimed at elevating tyre safety awareness among the city's motorists. This initiative specifically targets Sheffield’s substantial student demographic and its numerous newly qualified drivers, recognising their particular vulnerability on the roads.

Sheffield's urban transport network accommodates over 1.7 billion vehicle miles annually, predominantly through short, daily commutes that exert significant stress on tyres. The city's diverse vehicle fleet includes a notable proportion of older or shared cars, which underscores the critical necessity for regular tyre maintenance. The collaboration will promote straightforward, preventative checks focusing on air pressure, tread depth and overall tyre health.

This partnership will weave tyre safety education into various local road safety campaigns, aiding the Council's broader objectives to diminish casualties on city roads. By instilling good vehicle maintenance habits early, especially among learners and students, the programme aims to foster lifelong safety practices. This concerted effort supports the Council's ongoing mission to reduce the number of individuals killed or seriously injured on Sheffield's thoroughfares.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “In a city like Sheffield, where traffic density is high and journeys are frequent, making sure tyres are properly maintained is essential. By partnering with Sheffield City Council, we can reinforce these vital safety messages and encourage road users to make tyre checks part of their regular routine.”

Cllr Alexi Dimond, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said, “Tyre safety is a fundamental part of road safety, but it’s something many road users – particularly those newer to driving and riding – don’t always remember to check. I’m pleased to announce this new partnership with TyreSafe, which will help ensure that practical tyre safety advice reaches road users at all stages. This scheme will give them the knowledge and confidence to keep vehicles safe and roadworthy in all weather conditions. Tyre safety can help reduce collisions and contribute to Vision Zero: our ambition to have no fatalities on Sheffield’s roads.”

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Atturo Tires has entered into a multiyear agreement to serve as the exclusive tyre brand for Mecum Auctions, the host of the World’s Largest Collector Car Auction. This strategic alliance positions Atturo at the heart of a dedicated automotive community that includes collectors, builders and daily drivers who value performance, style, durability and affordability – principles that have guided the tire manufacturer since its inception in 2009.

As the category-exclusive tyre sponsor for Mecum’s 2026-27 auction calendar, Atturo will benefit from extensive branding and promotional integration. This includes visibility across live events, television broadcasts, digital platforms, print media and social channels, all aimed at increasing brand recognition among consumers who actively seek Atturo products through dealerships.

The auction’s diverse lineup of muscle cars, luxury vehicles and off-road models aligns perfectly with Atturo’s target audience, showcasing Trail Blade and AZ tyres alongside enthusiast favourites. To support its dealer network, Atturo will provide co-brandable materials, event photography and sponsorship talking points via the dealer portal, reinforcing the brand’s national presence and its message of accessible performance.

Michael Mathis, President, Atturo Tires, said, “Mecum's audience is our audience. The people who show up to watch a Challenger cross the block or a built Bronco roll through the lot are the same drivers who trust Atturo on their daily vehicle, their weekend build and everything in between. This partnership puts our Trail Blade and AZ lines directly in front of them – and gives our dealer network another example of how Atturo is becoming the best-known private brand in the country.”

Breeann Poland, Director – Marketing and Communications, Mecum, said, “Mecum Auctions is excited to join forces with Atturo Tires by bringing them on as our official and exclusive tyre partner. Atturo has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality tyres for automotive enthusiasts of every kind, from racers and off-road enthusiasts to the everyday driver and weekend cruiser. That diverse range of customers they serve makes Atturo an excellent choice for our equally wide-ranging Mecum community.”

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