Sovos opens Mumbai hub to expand APAC tax compliance

Sovos has expanded its investment in Asia-Pacific and opened a new regional hub in Mumbai, marking the next stage of the tax compliance software group's growth in the region.

The Mumbai site will serve as the company's APAC Centre of Excellence, supporting sales, product, delivery and operations across the region. The expansion follows Sovos' acquisition of IRIS and is intended to strengthen its local presence as governments across Asia-Pacific tighten digital tax reporting and e-invoicing rules.

The centre will act as an operational base for regional growth, helping customers navigate different compliance regimes. Sovos also plans to use the Mumbai office to build local teams and guide further investment in other APAC markets.

Asia-Pacific has become a key market for tax technology providers as authorities introduce real-time reporting systems, e-invoicing mandates and broader digital tax infrastructure. For multinationals operating across several jurisdictions, those changes have increased demand for systems that can keep pace with shifting local requirements.

In the region, Sovos works with customers including Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Auto, DHL, Thermax, Forbes Marshall, M&M, Skoda, Sumitomo, Ajanta Pharma and IPCA Labs. Globally, it serves more than 100,000 customers and processes nearly 20 billion transactions a year across more than 150 countries.

The Mumbai expansion also comes with changes to the company's leadership team in the region and globally.

Gautam Mahanti has been appointed Managing Director for APAC after previously leading the business at IRIS. Andrew Hocking has become Vice President, Channels for APAC, while Christiaan Van Der Valk has been named Chief Regulatory and Industry Affairs Officer. Alex Pavel will take on the role of Senior Vice President, Industry and Regulatory Intelligence.

The appointments reflect Sovos' focus on regulatory intelligence as tax authorities demand faster, more standardised reporting from businesses. The leadership changes are intended to put regulatory tracking and external engagement at the centre of its approach.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Akeroyd said the investment responds to rising demand from businesses operating across the region.

"Winning long-term means investing in the right places at the right time, and APAC is unquestionably one of those places right now," said Kevin Akeroyd, Chief Executive Officer, Sovos.

He said customers want both local knowledge and broader technical support as the compliance landscape becomes harder to manage.

"Enterprises operating across APAC are actively seeking a tax compliance partner they can trust for best-in-class technology, regulatory depth, and the local presence and expertise to guide them through an increasingly complex and rapidly changing landscape," said Akeroyd.

Mumbai focus

Sovos described the new office as more than a local branch, saying it is designed to be the centre of its APAC business. The site will cover commercial functions as well as delivery and operational support, giving the company a larger on-the-ground team in one of the region's biggest tax and invoicing markets.

India has become a closely watched market for tax technology groups because of its digital reporting framework and the scale of businesses affected by compliance changes. A base in Mumbai gives Sovos access to both customers and talent as companies adapt to country-specific reporting demands across Asia-Pacific.

"The Mumbai Centre of Excellence is not just a new office - it is Sovos' commitment to building a trusted, enduring presence in APAC for the long term," said Akeroyd.

"Sovos is committed to our partners and customers in this region and will continue to set the standard for tax compliance excellence for years to come," he added.

Regulatory push

The company's strategy rests heavily on monitoring tax rule changes and reflecting them in its software. Its main platform covers e-invoicing, VAT and GST compliance, and other reporting obligations, which it says can be managed through a single system.

That emphasis on regulatory monitoring has become more important as governments make tax collection more digital and immediate. Businesses that fall behind on local changes can face disruption, particularly where reporting is tied directly to invoicing, cross-border trade and indirect tax filings.

Van Der Valk said regulatory knowledge is central to the company's market position.

"The regulatory capabilities, relationships and expertise of the team at Sovos is unrivaled in the tax compliance industry," said Christiaan Van Der Valk, Chief Regulatory and Industry Affairs Officer, Sovos.

"All of our knowledge, skills and experience are put to work for our customers every day to keep them ahead of any government mandated changes," he added.