Jayesh Khandor Wins Big at Times Applaud Inspiring Leaders Awards 2026

At the Times Applaud Inspiring Leaders Awards 2026, it was one of those moments where the room instinctively knew this recognition had found the right person. Jayesh Khandor, Founder and CEO of The Brand Saloon, was honoured with the Marketing Excellence Leadership Award, and the applause said as much as the trophy did.

Hosted at Ginger Mumbai, the evening brought together entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across the country — people building, scaling, and constantly pushing what’s possible. With Anupam Mittal, Founder of People Group and Shaadi.com, as Chief Guest, the conversations naturally moved beyond brand success to what leadership truly takes — the resilience, the balance, and the ability to sustain growth.

And that’s where Jayesh’s journey resonates.

Over the last 15+ years, he has grown The Brand Saloon into a global 360° marketing agency — backed by a team of 60+ brand specialists and a presence across India, the USA, UK, Middle East, Thailand, Europe, and Australia. More than scale, it’s the way he leads that stands out; balancing sharp strategic thinking with a deep understanding of people and partnerships.

Taking the stage, Jayesh kept it real and grounded:
 “Leadership to me has never been about titles; it’s about trust, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path is not clear. This goes to my incredible team and their commitment.”

What stayed with the audience wasn’t just the win, it was the perspective behind it.

Because this isn’t just about an award. It’s about a way of leading that continues to shape how modern marketing looks, feels, and moves forward.