Leadership Transition at Colgate-Palmolive India
Colgate-Palmolive India Limited announced that its current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Prabha Narasimhan, will be elevated to the position of Executive Vice President – Marketing for the Asia‑Pacific Division of Colgate‑Palmolive, effective at the close of business on 27 September 2026. Her four‑year tenure as MD/CEO will conclude on that date.
The Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Manish Anandani as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Colgate‑Palmolive India, effective 28 September 2026. Anandani joins from Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health), where he served as Managing Director for India and South Asia, and previously spent 13 years with Colgate‑Palmolive (2005‑2018) in roles across India, Indochina and the corporate office, most recently as Worldwide Director in Global Customer Development.
During Narasimhan’s leadership, the company pursued a premiumisation strategy that accelerated the growth of its premium portfolio to five times the pace of the broader market. The firm also expanded digital and quick‑commerce capabilities, driving high double‑digit top‑line growth through e‑Commerce, with more than 50 % of sales derived from premium products and gross margins that are approximately 400 basis points higher than the company‑wide average. Initiatives such as Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® and the Oral Health Movement were highlighted as purpose‑driven programs that reinforced brand impact.
Colgate‑Palmolive India marked 90 years of operations in the country, reaffirming its focus on premium products, category development, operational efficiencies and increased investment behind its brands. The company emphasized its leadership in oral care, its commitment to sustainability—including reductions in plastic waste, water and energy consumption—and its aim to sustain profitable growth for shareholders while fostering an inclusive workplace.