Building a career through change, trust, and momentum: Kunal Upadhyay’s Career Story
A start that felt different
Kunal joined Lindström in January 2012, at a time when Lindstrom in India was still new and full of possibility. What drew him in was the idea of workwear as a service, something that supported many different industries and solved real operational challenges. That sense of scale and variety was enough to spark a long-term commitment from day one.
That belief has stayed with him throughout his career.
“In Lindström, if you focus and if you work hard, there is definitely a chance that you will have a fantastic career in this company.”
Building from scratch in Western India
Early on, Kunal’s role was not about stepping into a set structure. It was about helping create one. With few units established across India and focus to establish a new Business unit in Vadodara, Gujarat, he worked remotely while taking on the responsibility of bringing sales to reach the target workwear circulation for the Business Unit to be setup.
He also fully supported the Business Unit Manager and Managing Director to search, establish the operations in the Business Unit of Vadodara. It was a period that demanded initiative, planning, and resilience, the kind of work that shapes how someone approaches every challenge that comes after.
As the business evolved, new sales models and ways of working developed, including the move into high value services. Kunal was selected to join High Value Sales and continued in that space for years, gaining experience in a more consultative approach to selling.
Recognition through consistent performance
Kunal’s results in India were matched by formal recognition. He received Best Salesman of the Year awards in 2015 and 2020, and a President Circle Award in 2017.
These milestones reflect a track record built over time, not a single standout moment. For Kunal, performance has always been linked to learning the customer’s world, staying curious about industries, and adapting his approach to what the market needs.
A move to the UK and a new chapter
After around a decade in India, Kunal and his family decided to relocate to the UK, a move connected to family roots and a long-held personal ambition to build a life in England.
He credits the transition to strong internal support, including managers and teams across regions, and practical guidance that helped make the process smoother. In the UK, he initially worked in healthcare-focused, then moved into Fast Track Services, bringing his experience into a more direct sales environment.
Learning, unlearning, and growing again
Relocating was not just about a new postcode. Kunal describes the cultural shift and the difference in buying personas as a genuine test of his way of working, requiring him to rebuild instincts and ways of engaging prospects. As he puts it, “everything to unlearn and relearn.”
That adaptability has helped him blend consultative habits with the pace of Fast Track, while continuing to build results in a new market.
Values that shape how he works
Kunal is clear about what matters most: “Ethics are really important for me.”
“I am not a lone wolf, I like to work wherein I connect with people, I talk with them, I try to take whatever information, and I do it directly with them.”
He also talks about the “We Care” culture he has experienced across Lindström, especially during major life moments. The balance and support available, including help from the UK HR department and his line-managers during family needs, is something he sees as central to doing great work over the long term.
Life outside work
Away from work, Kunal keeps his curiosity active by reading widely, enjoys films and music, and values time with family, especially weekend outings and short getaways.
In Summary
From helping to support set-up of operations locally, to building new relationships in the UK, Kunal’s career is a story of steady growth through change. What stands out is not just the results, but how he gets there: with ethics, consistency, and a genuine belief in working with people, not around them.
Who: Kunal Upadhyay
Role at Lindström: Sales Representative
Location: UK
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