PERSONALITY
OF THE MONTH
Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer at
Diageo India, is redefining craft spirits through
Godawan Single Malt, The Good Craft Co., and
the India Rare Spirits Programme. A former GE
Healthcare innovator, he champions Indian
ingenuity in alco-bev, blending tradition with
bold vision to put India on the global spirits map.
Can you elaborate on how your professional endeavours contribute to your overall sense of fulfilment and happiness?
Fulfilment for me comes from building and
creating. At GE Healthcare, I spearheaded
innovation for two decades, from launching GE’s
first Design Studio in India to developing
disruptive products for emerging markets. The
same passion drew me to craft spirits-developing
Godawan, setting up The Good Craft Co., and
the India Rare Spirits Programme-all about
turning the improbable into reality.
Today,
mentoring young teams and watching them
break barriers continues to energise me.
Reflecting on your career trajectory, what
pivotal moment or decision stands out as a
defining factor in your success?
To be honest, there has not been one, but many
such pivotal moments. These include taking on
seemingly insignificant projects that led to
phenomenal consumer and business outcomes,
meeting mentors along the way who helped
shape my thought process and taking on roles
that never really had a job description to start
with.The support and
encouragement I received from my boss was an
equally defining moment because it showed me
that as long as you take the initiative for a
well-intentioned outcome, the ecosystem always
rallies to support you through the journey.
Which alcoholic beverage holds a special place as your favorite indulgence?
My three loves are peated whisky, especially
Lagavulin 16, which I hold close to my heart;
Godawan, my own “baby,” with a special
fondness for the Rich & Rounded Godawan 01;
and, when I want a change, a well-crafted Double
Dry Hopped IPA.
Share a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a memorable project or collaboration that brought together your passion for both beverages and another interest or field.
Designing The Good Craft Co. Flavour Lab was
special-it combined my engineering mindset,
design sensibility and love for craft into a space
for experimentation. Similarly, with Godawan, we
turned the desert’s challenges and local
botanicals into strengths. Watching science,
tradition and creativity merge to create
something uniquely Indian has been deeply
rewarding.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind in the industry, both personally and professionally?
I don’t see legacy in grand terms. For me, it’s
about proving India can lead in craft and
innovation. If our platforms inspire homegrown
creators to dream bigger, and my journey shows
that risk-taking can reimagine a category, I’d feel
I’ve done my part.