Akshay Shankar
About Akshay Shankar
Akshay Shankar serves as the Chief Product Officer (Group) at CarTrade.com, where he leads technology and engineering initiatives and engages in business development. He has extensive experience in product management and development, having held various roles at CarTrade.com since 2006.
Current Role at CarTrade
Akshay Shankar serves as the Chief Product Officer (Group) at CarTrade.com, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he leads technology and engineering initiatives, focusing on product development and innovation. His responsibilities include overseeing business development and sales efforts for external clients, which involves collaboration with partners from various sectors, such as banks, insurance companies, OEMs, and dealers. His leadership contributes to the strategic direction of the company.
Previous Experience at CarTrade
Prior to his current role, Akshay Shankar held several positions at CarTrade.com. He served as Senior Vice President - Product from 2011 to 2017, where he gained significant experience in product management. He then transitioned to the role of President - Product from 2017 to 2020. Throughout his tenure, he was involved in both greenfield projects and the maintenance and improvement of existing products, enhancing the overall product portfolio of CarTrade.
Educational Background
Akshay Shankar has a solid educational foundation in engineering and management. He studied at the University of Twente, where he earned a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from 2001 to 2007. Prior to that, he completed his Gymnasium education at Jacobus College in Enschede from 1996 to 2001. He also attended Erasmiaans Gymnasium in Rotterdam for a year in 1995-1996, further enriching his academic experience.
Entrepreneurial Experience
Before his extensive career at CarTrade.com, Akshay Shankar co-founded CarTradeIndia.com, where he worked from 2006 to 2009. This entrepreneurial experience provided him with insights into the automotive industry and the challenges of building a startup. His role as a co-founder laid the groundwork for his future contributions to product development and management in the automotive sector.
Technical Expertise
In his roles at CarTrade.com, Akshay Shankar has developed expertise in various technical domains, including security, technology architecture, search engine optimization (SEO), and analytics. This technical knowledge supports his leadership in product development and enhances the company's ability to deliver innovative solutions to its clients.