BHIVE Workspace, one of India’s leading premium coworking brands, has appointed Esha Ranjan, a veteran with over 20 years of international workspace project experience, as Chief Projects Officer. Her hiring strengthens BHIVE’s operational backbone ahead of its planned IPO in 2026. The move comes as investor interest in the flex-space sector surges, with Smartworks, Awfis, WeWork India, and Indiqube also preparing public listings.
Esha joins BHIVE following significant roles at Smartworks, where she led projects during periods of rapid expansion and later at Incuspaze. She has overseen delivery of more than 8 million sq ft across India, Australia, and New Zealand, handling marquee developments for global brands including Google, LinkedIn, and IKEA. Her core strengths lie in CapEx optimisation, vendor management, design governance, and building scalable execution systems, a precise need for BHIVE’s next growth phase.
Strategic Role & Goals at BHIVE
In her new role, Esha will lead:
- Nationwide project delivery strategies,
- Cost-efficient capital allocation (CapEx),
- Vendor coordination across multiple locations,
- Institutional-grade governance frameworks tailored for scale.
BHIVE CEO Shesh Rao Paplikar said:
“With Esha’s appointment, we’re doubling down on operational rigour and readiness for our 2026 IPO. Her leadership will help build execution as a long-term competitive advantage.”
Esha, in turn, added:
“BHIVE isn’t just about office space; it’s a lifestyle-led brand. My goal is to systematise execution and scale operations while preserving that ethos.”
Sector Momentum & IPO Context
Her appointment aligns with feverish activity across India’s flex-space industry. Already public, Smartworks and Awfis set the precedent, while peers like WeWork India and Indiqube are gearing up for IPO launches. This leadership move reinforces BHIVE’s intent to compete on execution strength and institutional readiness.
BHIVE at a Glance
- Operates 27 managed and enterprise-ready spaces across Bengaluru and Mumbai, spanning 1.8 million sq ft with over 28,000 seats.
- Plans to ramp up its footprint by an additional 3 million sq ft by the end of FY26 across Tier I and II cities.
- Targets institutional investor confidence ahead of public listing with strong design, wellness-focused workspace offerings aligned with its “Elevate Your Lifestyle at Work” theme
TheFlexInsights Take
- Top-tier operational hires matter: Esha’s appointment signals BHIVE’s shift from startup execution to institutional-grade operations.
- Credibility for IPO-ready execution: With lines forming behind coworking IPOs, having a seasoned CPO adds governance and delivery credibility.
- Scalability at heart: As BHIVE targets rapid expansion, systems and CapEx discipline will become a source of sustainable competitive advantage.
