2025 Recap: 10 Impactful Leadership Moved Across Corporate India
Corporate India is currently experiencing a significant change in leadership as top companies bring in experienced executives to key positions. With a focus on experience, innovation, and strategic transformation, businesses in various sectors are making bold moves to set the stage for future growth. The upcoming months will see these leaders playing a crucial role in shaping the direction, culture, and evolution of their organizations. Let's take a closer look at the recent high-profile appointments that are making waves in different industries.
PUMA Appoints Ramprasad Sridharan as Managing Director
PUMA, a company specializing in sports apparel, has appointed Ramprasad Sridharan as the new Managing Director of PUMA India. He is expected to start his role in December 2025 and will report directly to Matthias Bäumer, the Chief Commercial Officer of PUMA. Ramprasad has over 25 years of expertise in building brands in the Asia Pacific region, with a special emphasis on digital growth and strategic business development. He has consistently demonstrated dedication to enhancing successful business tactics, specifically focusing on leadership, expanding organizations, implementing change and creativity, and establishing atmospheres that encourage top-notch results.
Colgate-Palmolive India Appoints Priyan Pillay as EVP - Legal
Priyan Pillay has been appointed as the Executive Vice President - Legal at Colgate-Palmolive India, effective from January 2, 2026. Having over 19 years of in-depth expertise, Priyan possesses a profound understanding of corporate and commercial laws, as well as ethics and compliance, along with enterprise risk management, particularly within the FMCG sector. Priyan currently holds the position of Chief Compliance Counsel at Colgate-Palmolive Company in New York. Pillay has provided legal counsel across different regions and has advised on regulatory matters in Africa and globally.
Also Read: Kalpa Power Appoints Pankaj Aggarwal as CFO
Publicis Groupe South Asia Ropes in Supraja Srinivasan
Supraja Srinivasan has recently been appointed as the Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications for South Asia at Publicis Groupe South Asia. Srinivasan's main duties will involve managing both internal and external communications, improving the overall brand image of the company, and overseeing business-to-business and digital communication strategies within the region.
Supraja has successfully overseen PR and corporate communications for India, Southeast Asia, and the UAE during her tenure at BookMyShow that lasted seven years. Before starting at BookMyShow, she held high-level roles in journalism at The Economic Times, Bloomberg TV India, and CNBC-TV18.
Pidilite Appoints Ashish Prasad as new CHRO
Ashish Prasad has been appointed as the new head of human resources at Pidilite Industries, marking a significant change in the company's leadership structure. This move follows the departure of current CHRO Rahul Gama, who is set to remain at the organization until January 31, 2026 to ensure a smooth handover. After nearly three decades of working in sales, brand management, operations, digital transformation, and strategy, Prasad is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the company's talent and organizational efforts.
Also Read: Air Purifiers to be Installed in Classrooms: Education Minister
Anupam Sirbhaiya Promoted as Group CHRO at Bajaj Finserv
Anupam Sirbhaiya has been promoted to the position of Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Bajaj Finserv, in acknowledgement of his vast experience and expertise in HR and business after serving the organization for nine years and working in the field for over three decades. Bringing him on board signifies a strategic choice, taking advantage of Sirbhaiya's unique skills in leadership development and personnel management, crucial areas for a rapidly expanding financial services organization like Bajaj Finserv.
upGrad Names Deepesh Dhakad as CTO and Chief Product Officer
Deepesh Dhakad has been hired by upGrad as the new chief product and technology officer (CPTO), starting in October 2025. In his new role as a leader, Dhakad will manage and direct the product development, design strategies, and technological infrastructure of the company, covering both individual learners and businesses. He has shown expertise in various aspects of his career, such as developing strategies for products, improving technological capabilities, using experimental methods based on research, and incorporating artificial intelligence into new solutions.
PwC India Ropes in Former Ten Sports CEO Rajesh Sethi
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) India has announced the appointment of Rajesh Sethi as a partner and executive lead for the media, sports, and entertainment division, as part of its strategic growth plan. In his illustrious professional journey, he has held key roles in various executive positions, such as being the top executive at Ten Sports worldwide and leading NBA India, along with taking on important leadership positions in well-known global and local organizations.
Sharad Malhotra Named Managing Director of Nippon Paint India
NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Japan's Nippon Paint Holdings, revealed that Sharad Malhotra will take on the role of Managing Director at Nippon Paint India starting on December 1, 2025. This appointment marks a milestone as Malhotra becomes the first Indian to hold this position within the company. In his role as Managing Director, Malhotra will be in charge of steering the strategic vision and growth of Nippon Paint's operations in India.
His main objective will be to achieve sustainable growth in all paint market segments, leveraging the company's worldwide capabilities while accommodating the various requirements of the Indian market.
IndusInd Bank Appoints Amitabh Kumar Singh as New CHRO
IndusInd Bank, a privately owned financial company, revealed the selection of Amitabh Kumar Singh as its fresh Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), with his responsibilities starting on November 10. During his career, he spent eight years at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and eleven years at ICICI Bank. Singh obtained a master's degree in Human Resources from XISS in Ranchi. Prior to working at ICICI, he gained valuable professional experience at well-known companies such as L&T, Atos Origin India, Tata Interactive Systems, and Mphasis.
Also Read: SBI Appoints Ravi Ranjan as Managing Director
CARS24 Elevates Manoj Yadav as Chief Business Officer
CARS24 is moving forward with its growth strategy, with an experienced leader taking the lead. Manoj Yadav has been appointed as the chief business officer for the company's operations in India. His role includes steering the company towards expansion, higher earnings, and new ideas. In his new role, Manoj will oversee the development and execution of CARS24's business strategies across multiple areas, with a focus on achieving steady growth and building trust among customers. Manoj's time at CARS24 has included facing challenges and turning them into tales of triumph. During a tough time for the retail industry, he took charge and made significant changes by revamping operations, challenging conventional thinking, and reinforcing accountability. With his insightful leadership and knack for developing adaptable structures, Yadav is acknowledged for his strategic approach to problem-solving.