Colgate-Palmolive India Appoints Manish Anandani as MD & CEO
Colgate-Palmolive India has named Manish Anandani as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, starting September 28, 2026. The appointment comes after Prabha Narasimhan's promotion to Executive Vice President – Marketing, Asia-Pacific Division, effective September 27, 2026.
Narasimhan has directed Colgate-Palmolive India for four years, during which the firm concentrated on premiumisation, digital transformation, swift-commerce growth and category advancement in oral care.
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With him at the helm, the company reports that its premium portfolio expanded at five times the rate of the overall market, coupled with volume-driven growth and profitability.
During his time, there was an increased focus on digital and e-commerce avenues, along with efforts to promote oral hygiene adoption in both urban and rural areas. Colgate's purpose-driven initiatives, such as Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, and the Oral Health Movement, were also included in the company's focus during this time.
In his latest position, Narasimhan will oversee marketing for the Asia-Pacific division. Before his tenure at Colgate-Palmolive India, he held high-level leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever, serving as Executive Director for Home Care, with expertise in various consumer segments and global markets.
Anandani has 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, general management, and leadership positions. He comes to Colgate-Palmolive India after serving as Managing Director for India and South Asia at Kenvue.
His background encompasses corporate strategy, digital and e-commerce transformation, as well as market growth. Anandani worked at Colgate-Palmolive for 13 years, from 2005 to 2018, in leadership positions throughout India, Indochina, and the corporate office. He later held the position of Worldwide Director in Global Customer Development.
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The leadership change occurs as Colgate-Palmolive India remains committed to premiumisation and increased value growth in oral care. The firm has recognized e-commerce and quick commerce as significant avenues for growth, with the e-commerce sector achieving robust double-digit revenue increases.
Over 50 percent of e-commerce revenue is generated from premium items, and gross margins for this channel are approximately 400 basis points above the company's overall average.
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The company is celebrating 90 years of presence in India, focusing its growth strategy on premium products, category expansion, digital commerce, and operational efficiencies.