Fabindia vs Raymond: Founders, CEOs and History
Fabindia was founded in 1960 by John Bissell, William Nanda Bissell and is led by Rajeshwari Srinivasan. Raymond was founded in 1925 by Albert James Raymond, Kailashpat Singhania and is led by Gautam Singhania.
Company facts
Founders
Fabindia
John Bissell
John Bissell (1932-1998) was an American who arrived in India in 1958 on a Ford Foundation assignment to advise on handloom exports. In 1960 he founded Fabindia in New Delhi, initially selling handwoven furnishings to buyers abroad.
William Nanda Bissell
William Nanda Bissell (born 1966) is John Bissell's son and chairman of Fabindia. After studying at Wesleyan University he worked with artisans in Rajasthan, then took over the business in the 1990s and became managing director in 1999.
Raymond
Albert James Raymond
Albert James Raymond is credited with establishing the Raymond Woollen Mill in Thane in 1925, which gave the company its name. The mill later passed to the Singhania family in 1944.
Kailashpat Singhania
Kailashpat Singhania acquired the Raymond Woollen Mill in 1944 and moved it toward fine worsted suiting, building the base of the Raymond brand.
CEOs and their tenures
Fabindia
- John Bissell1960–1998
Founder
An American who came to India with the Ford Foundation, he started Fabindia from two rooms in Golf Links, New Delhi, exporting handloom home furnishings. He suffered a stroke in 1993 and died in 1998.
Source - William Bissell1999–2018
Managing Director (now Chairman)
Took charge in the 1990s after his father's stroke and became managing director in 1999, a role he held until 2018. He turned Fabindia from an exporter into a national retailer and remains chairman.
Source - Viney Singh2016–2023
Managing Director & CEO
Served seven years as managing director and CEO before retiring in April 2023; he stayed on the board as a non-executive director.
Source - Rajeshwari Srinivasan2023–present
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CEO effective April 2023 after 30+ years in FMCG, retail, luxury and hospitality, including roles as a Tata Administrative Services officer at Rallis India, Tata Consumer, Indian Hotels and Titan Company. She is an IIFT alumna and Chevening Scholar.
Source
Raymond
- Vijaypat Singhania1980–2000
Former Chairman
Led Raymond from 1980 to 2000, expanding its branded menswear and retail presence.
Source - Gautam Singhania2000–present
Chairman & Managing Director
Turned Raymond Limited into a focused aerospace and engineering company.
Source - Gautam Maini2023–present
Managing Director, Engineering Business
Leads JK Maini Global Aerospace and JK Maini Precision Technology.
Source
Timeline: Fabindia and Raymond side by side
1925Raymond
Raymond Woollen Mill is established in Thane, near Bombay.
1944Raymond
Lala Kailashpat Singhania of the J.K. Organisation acquires the mill.
1958Raymond
Raymond opens its first retail showroom in Mumbai.
1960Fabindia
Fabindia founded in New Delhi by John Bissell
Started as an exporter of handloom home furnishings.
1976Fabindia
First retail store opens in Greater Kailash
The N-Block shop introduced handloom clothing and linen to Delhi shoppers.
1986Raymond
Raymond launches the Park Avenue menswear brand.
1999Fabindia
William Bissell becomes managing director
Began the national retail expansion and the artisan-shareholder supply model.
2000Raymond
Gautam Singhania takes over leadership as Chairman and Managing Director.
2021Fabindia
First loss in over two decades
Pandemic closures cut FY21 revenue 30% to ~$123 million (₹1,059 crore) with a ~$13.5 million (₹116 crore) loss.
2022Fabindia
IPO draft papers filed with SEBI
Planned ~$58 million (₹500 crore) fresh issue plus offer for sale of 25.05 million shares.
2023Fabindia
IPO withdrawn; Rajeshwari Srinivasan named CEO
Scrapped the roughly $482 million IPO in February; new CEO from April.
2023Raymond
Sells FMCG business to Godrej Consumer Products for ~$328 million (₹2,825 crore); agrees to buy 59.25% of Maini Precision Products for ~$79.1 million (₹682 crore).
2024Fabindia
Organic India stake sale to Tata Consumer agreed
Tata Consumer Products valued Organic India at ~$220 million (₹1,900 crore) enterprise value.
2024Raymond
Raymond Lifestyle Limited, holding the apparel and textile business, lists separately in September.
2025Raymond
Raymond Realty demerger takes effect on April 30; the real estate company lists on NSE and BSE on July 1.
2026Fabindia
IPO revival reported
The Economic Times listed FabIndia among companies preparing to tap public markets.
2026Raymond
Q1 FY27 total income rises 13% to ~$72.8 million (₹628 crore); shares rally more than 230% in six months on aerospace growth.
Acquisitions
Questions about Fabindia vs Raymond
Who is the CEO of Fabindia and Raymond?
Fabindia is led by Rajeshwari Srinivasan and Raymond is led by Gautam Singhania. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Fabindia founded vs Raymond?
Raymond was founded in 1925 — 35 years before Fabindia, which was founded in 1960. Raymond's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Fabindia.
How many employees does Fabindia have compared to Raymond?
Fabindia employs approximately 4,200 people. A verified employee count for Raymond is not currently available.
Where are Fabindia and Raymond headquartered?
Both Fabindia and Raymond are headquartered in India, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Fabindia and Raymond?
Fabindia was founded by John Bissell, William Nanda Bissell. Raymond was founded by Albert James Raymond, Kailashpat Singhania.
Which company has a longer operating history — Fabindia or Raymond?
Raymond has been operating for approximately 101 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Fabindia has been in operation for around 66 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Fabindia vs Raymond overview