5 Notable Indian CHRO Appointments in February 2026
If we look into Kautilya’s Arthashastra, we can observe in the Saptanga Theory that he frequently refers to Amatyas (contemporary CHROs) as the eyes of the state or organization. Historically, they supported the King with governance, managed various departments, ensured the implementation of policies, and dealt with diplomacy. Their roles ranged from top advisors to senior administrative leaders.
In the modern era, the role has transitioned from traditional HR managers to strategic C-suite business partners who align workforce strategies with corporate objectives. They are focused on fostering business growth through talent management, cultural shifts, and digital transformation.
Let’s explore five noteworthy CHRO appointments that took place in Indian this February.
Vedanta Appoints Neha Sharma as new Group CHRO
Vedanta, the mining and metal conglomerate, recently appointed Neha Sharma as the new Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective February 10, 2026. Neha Sharma, a seasoned professional with extensive global experience, holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and possesses over twenty years of diverse human resources expertise spanning regions such as the United States, Mexico, and India.
Before becoming a member of the team at Vedanta, she held a position at Unifi Aviation, where she was responsible for managing the personnel strategy for over 40,000 employees stationed at 250+ airport sites in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Throughout her professional journey, Neha has orchestrated significant organizational changes, crafted leadership structures that boost employee retention, dependability, and financial success, and illustrated a distinctive talent for integrating strategic planning with practical implementation. Her skills are enhanced by her proficiency in managing intricate and fast-paced operational settings, which equips her well to propel Vedanta's human resources strategies in a dynamic international scenario.
The Sleep Company Onboards Udhaya Shankar M As CHRO
The Sleep Company has designated Udhaya Shankar M as its new chief human resources officer in an effort to enhance its leadership team amidst the brand's substantial growth. Udhaya possesses a wealth of experience in HR leadership, spanning over 17 years within retail and consumer-oriented companies.
His skill set includes talent acquisition, employee engagement, capability development, rewards, and HR analytics. At a moment when The Sleep Company is expanding its presence in various locations, including stores, warehouses, and corporate departments, the appointment has been made to enhance structured human resource systems and implement proactive talent strategies.
Before assuming his current position, Udhaya held the position of Head of HR Operations at Metro Brands Ltd, where he played a key role in enhancing HR practices and procedures throughout the company. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated closely with business leaders and promoters to revamp organizational frameworks, minimize expenses, and cultivate inclusive, performance-oriented environments conducive to sustainable development.
In his capacity as CHRO, Udhaya supervises the company's human resources and cultural initiatives, with a focus on boosting the employer's reputation, developing talent pools for the future, and enhancing employee satisfaction throughout the organization.
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TBO Tek Names Aditi Madhok-Naarden as Global CHRO
TBO Tek, a global travel technology platform, has named Aditi Madhok-Naarden as its Global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), with her appointment effective as of February 23, 2026. In her new capacity, Aditi will oversee the development and implementation of TBO's international human resources strategy.
Aditi's professional background encompasses more than twenty years of substantial experience in overseeing human resources functions for various industries such as technology, financial services, food & beverages, and FMCG.
Throughout her professional journey, she has held influential leadership roles in human resources at prestigious establishments like Lloyds Banking Group, where she was the People Partnering Director; Tate & Lyle, where she served as the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer; and The Body Shop International, where she held the position of HR Director for markets in Singapore, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Additionally, Aditi has played crucial roles at Mastercard, Deutsche Bank, Prudential, IBM, and Infosys. Her responsibilities have involved spearheading extensive transformation initiatives, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, and cultivating high-performing human resources teams across different regions like Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Americas.
Trained as a coach and mentor and recipient of a British Chevening Scholarship, Aditi holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her accolades include acknowledgment for Change Management by Human Resources magazine and being a finalist in the category of "Best Workplace Culture & Engagement" at the HRM Awards. Additionally, she is a frequent presenter at major international human resources conferences.
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Paras Health Onboards Balkishan Sharma as CHRO
Paras Health has named Balkishan Sharma as the new Chief Human Resources & Business Transformation Officer, signifying a shift in senior leadership amid the hospital network's continued focus on operational efficiency and growth.
Previously, Balkishan spent close to seven years at Max Healthcare Institute Ltd., where he held the position of Senior Vice President and Head of HR Operations. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing human resource operations across eight hospitals within the Max Healthcare system.
During his tenure at Max Healthcare, Balkishan managed HR operations for facilities with a total capacity of approximately 2,100 beds and an annual revenue of roughly Rs.3,000 crores. His professional profile indicates that his responsibilities included aspects such as business strategy, change management, talent development, compensation, employee relations, and fostering a positive organizational culture.
Headquartered in Gurugram, Paras Health operates a network of hospitals in various cities across North and East India. The organization has recently been involved in industry discussions concerning digital integration, infrastructure enhancement, and broader healthcare system improvements. For instance, Paras Health executives emphasized the importance of trust, quality outcomes, and effective implementation in healthcare delivery during engagements such as the CII Northern Region Healthcare Excellence Conclave.
With more than 18 years of experience in hospital HR leadership, Balkishan possesses a background that includes prior HR roles at BLK Super Speciality Hospital and Fortis Healthcare.
In these positions, he was responsible for managing workforce planning and talent development initiatives across diverse multi-speciality healthcare facilities located in Delhi, Jaipur, and other cities.
Balkishan holds an MBA in Human Resources from Madurai Kamaraj University and has completed an executive leadership program at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.
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Jio-bp Appoints Sareeta Bhatikar as Chief Human Resources Officer
Jio-bp has appointed Sareeta Bhatikar as the Chief Human Resources Officer, enhancing its leadership team as the company enters a new phase of growth and evolution in India's mobility sector.
With over twenty years of experience in developing people strategies, leading transformation initiatives, and fostering cultural integration in various organizations, Sareeta will now oversee the HR function at Jio-bp. Her responsibilities include enhancing organizational capabilities, reinforcing talent frameworks, and aligning the company's people priorities with its strategic growth objectives.Sareeta transitioned to Jio-bp from HDFC Life, where she held the position of Head of Human Resources. During her time there, she developed the people strategy for a workforce of more than 40,000 employees and played a crucial role in guiding the HR transformation process during the merger with Exide Life.
Earlier in her career, Sareeta held leadership positions at Cipla, Vodafone, A.P. Moller–Maersk, Unilever, and LTI (Larsen & Toubro Infotech), gaining extensive experience in talent management, HR transformation, employee relations, and change management.
Educationally, Sareeta holds a Master's degree in Human Resources from the Welingkar Institute of Management and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from R.A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics. Additionally, she is a certified cost accountant from ICWAI, possesses an LLB from VPM Thane College, and has completed a postgraduate diploma in comparative methodology from the University of Mumbai.