Umesh Madhavan

Research Director

Umesh is responsible for scoping and managing The Circulate Initiative’s research agenda across diverse circularity-linked themes. This agenda guides the organization’s development of data-backed insights, measurement methodologies, and resources to benefit all stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Umesh has close to 20 years of experience in research and consulting, with a dedicated focus on South and Southeast Asia. With the objective of spurring more evidence-based interventions, Umesh is committed to improving the availability and quality of data on the plastics circular economy to bridge knowledge gaps across hard-to-research topics such as the investability of the waste management sector.

Prior to his role at The Circulate Initiative, his work at Euromonitor International and Rabobank spanned various industries, including consumer foods, foodservice and retail, where he oversaw research projects from inception to delivery. He is passionate about leveraging the power of data and insights to produce impactful outcomes.

Umesh holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Risk Management (Master of Business Administration) from the Institute of Rural Management Anand, India.