Sapphire Media-owned Big FM has announced the appointment of Sunil Kumaran as its chief executive officer. 

He was previously serving as chief operating officer and has been in this role for over 14 years. 

Kumaran's elevation comes following the exit of Abe Thomas, who played a pivotal role in the brand’s transformation since 2018, and is looking forward to pursuing his next passion.

Sahil Mangla, chairman, Sapphire Media, said, “We are grateful to Abe Thomas for his visionary leadership, dedication and remarkable contribution towards the network. Sunil’s deep understanding of the brand makes him an ideal choice to lead Big’s next chapter. We are confident that under his guidance, we will continue to grow and achieve new milestones together.”

Kumaran added, “Excited to steer brand Big into its next chapter — where radio is reimagined and we evolve into a true multimedia force. In a world moving at digital speed, our edge will lie in the power of content, the precision of data and the reach of tech-led storytelling. The goal is to create a brand that’s future-ready, fiercely relevant and built for impact. One that connects deeply with audiences, influences culture and delivers real outcomes for our partners.”