Strengthens its policy and regulatory governance practice with the addition of a decorated former Indian Revenue Service officer and governance expert
Gurugram – August 31, 2026: Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Dr. K. N. Raghavan as Senior Advisor. A decorated former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer with more than three decades of distinguished service across customs, taxation, trade, and diplomacy, Dr. Raghavan will strengthen Astrum’s counsel to clients operating in a complex policy environment that invite intense regulatory scrutiny.
Dr. Raghavan joins Astrum’s distinguished roster of Senior Advisors to deepens Astrum’s policy and regulatory governance practice at a moment when boards, CEOs, and leadership teams are navigating an increasingly complex risk, regulation, and reputation landscape, from trade and tax policy to ESG and stakeholder governance.
Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner, Astrum, said, “Dr. Raghavan brings a rare combination of frontline policy and governance experience, regulatory sophistication, and cross-sector insight. Having operated at the highest levels of customs, taxation, trade, and diplomacy, he meaningfully deepens our ability to help clients communicate with clarity and credibility in today’s risk, regulation, and reputation landscape.”
Dr. K. N. Raghavan said “I am pleased to be associated with Astrum, a recognised thought leader in research-based strategic communications. Its disciplined and ethical approach in helping clients articulate their narratives in a complex regulatory and governance environment is particularly relevant for organisations today. I look forward to working with Astrum’s dynamic team.”
bout Dr Raghavan: A career at the frontline of policy, trade, and governance
Dr. Raghavan superannuated from the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) in 2024 after a 34-year career, spanning anti-smuggling operations, GST enforcement, commodity board leadership, and diplomatic representation. As Executive Director of the Rubber Board, he simultaneously held charge of the Tea Board, the Tobacco Board, and the Marine Products Export Development Authority.
As Director General of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), he oversaw the completion and inauguration of a new national training campus by the Prime Minister in January 2024. His diplomatic and stakeholder-engagement experience includes serving as First Secretary (Commerce) at the High Commission of India in Singapore, and as CEO of NORKA-Roots, the Government of Kerala’s agency for non-resident Keralite welfare. He currently serves as Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), leading the industry’s policy, regulatory, and stakeholder engagement.
An MBBS graduate from Calicut Medical College, Kerala, Dr. Raghavan combines an unusual breadth of disciplinary training with frontline regulatory and diplomatic experience.
About Astrum:
Negotiate the landscape of Reputation, Risk, Regulation, & ESG successfully.
Astrum is India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm that helps clients successfully negotiate the complex landscape of Reputation, Risk, Regulation & ESG. Our programmes rooted in the Science of Persuasion, a unique approach that combines data science, social science and neuroscience, and help our clients understand and shape public opinion ethically.
Astrum is the next progression of public relations. Founded in 2015 by Ashwani Singla, with the belief that “deep insights are often the fountainhead of breakthrough thinking and data supported decisions have a greater probability of success”, Astrum is a pioneer of this convergence of science and creativity.
A work ethic founded on ownership and accountability to solve our clients’ toughest challenges. Our team of multi-disciplinary professionals apply their collective acumen to help our C Suite sustain their reputation and license to operate. Applying the same principles of insights-led thinking, we advise Political leaders to win the mandate of their voters.
Astrum is consistently ranked among top strategic communications consulting firms in India and counted amongst most respected by leading industry outlets. Our services include Bespoke Market Research, 3i Multi-Disciplinary Strategic Communication Programmes, Policy Advocacy, Crisis Preparedness Planning, Crisis Communications, ESG Consulting and Election Strategy. Our C Suite workshops include Message Development, Media Training, Crisis Preparedness.
We serve clients through our presence in the NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore and reach 60 cities and towns in all major states of India and 100 cities across 30 countries in five continents across the globe through our network of partners and exclusive affiliates.
For more information, please visit our website at www.astrum.in or [email protected].
