Leadership Team

At Pidilite, the entrepreneurial spirit is seen across all levels, with individuals going beyond the call of duty to bring to life ideas they are proud to hone and own.

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About

The Chairman

Mr. Madhukar B. Parekh’s journey with Pidilite commenced in 1972, after his stint with Abbott Laboratories in the U.S., which he joined immediately after completing his Masters in Chemical Engineering from University of Wisconsin. A scholar by nature, Mr. Parekh was ranked number 4 in the IIT entrance test, but chose to study chemical technology instead as he wanted to carve a niche in the chemical business. He is a Gold medallist alumnus of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), formerly the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT), a premier chemical technology research institute in India.

Chairman
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Board Of Directors

Pidilite attributes its leadership status to its strong and active board of directors, who relentlessly steer the company ahead with their experience, insight and commitment to good corporate governance.

Shri. M. B. Parekh

Executive Chairman

Shri. Bharat Puri

Managing Director

Shri. A. B. Parekh

Non-Executive Vice Chairman

Shri. Apurva N. Parekh

Executive Vice Chairman

Shri. Sudhanshu Vats

Managing Director Designate

Shri. Kavinder Singh

Joint Managing Director Designate

Shri. Joseph Varghese

Director - Operations

Shri. Sandeep Batra

Executive Director-Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Shri. Sanjeev Aga

Independent Director

Shri. Vinod Kumar Dasari

Independent Director

Shri. Piyush Pandey

Independent Director

Shri. Rajeev Vasudeva

Independent Director

Smt. Meher Pudumjee

Independent Director

Shri. Murali Sivaraman

Independent Director

Shri. Rajeev Gupta

Independent Director

Shri. J S Deepak

Independent Director

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Leadership Team

At the helm of affairs stands a strong team of leaders who bring their expertise from diverse backgrounds to the company and steer it in the right directions.

Mr. Bharat Puri
Managing Director
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Mr. Bharat Puri

Managing Director

  • Mr Bharat Puri’s association with Pidilite began in 2008 when he joined as an Independent Director. In 2015, he assumed the role of Managing Director at Pidilite Industries Limited.

  • Bharat has played a pivotal role in Pidilite’s global expansion strategy. He strengthened the company’s adhesive and sealant portfolio through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Under his leadership, Pidilite explored new growth segments and introduced cutting-edge technologies, driving the company’s innovation agenda forward.

  • Bharat’s multifaceted leadership style, coupled with a people-first mindset, also contributed to the success of other brands such as Asian Paints and Cadbury. In his last assignment, he was President - Global Chocolate, Gum and Candy Categories at Mondelez International, Zurich with worldwide responsibilities for the growth of these categories. Bharat began his career with Asian Paints in 1982 and rose to the position of General Manager - Sales & Marketing. He then moved to Cadbury in 1998 as Director of Sales and Marketing for Cadbury India. In 2002, he was appointed Managing Director South Asia, after which he moved to Singapore in 2006 where he was responsible for Strategy, Marketing and Sales for the Asia Pacific region. From then onwards, a series of senior leadership positions at the country, region and global level shaped his career trajectory.

  • He graduated in Commerce from Punjab University and holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

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Mr. Apurva N. Parekh
Executive Vice Chairman
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Mr. Apurva N. Parekh

Executive Vice Chairman

  • Apurva has been an integral part of Pidilite’s growth story since 1995. Today, he leads multiple businesses and functions in the company. As Executive Vice Chairman, his role extends beyond traditional business management, encompassing strategic decision-making, fostering innovation, nurturing key partnerships, and guiding the company's long-term vision. Additionally, he plays a crucial part in shaping corporate governance, driving sustainability initiatives, and ensuring operational excellence across various facets of the organization.

  • Beyond his professional commitment, Apurva's well-rounded approach, encompassing diverse interests and a solid educational foundation, exemplifies a dynamic leader dedicated to both career and personal pursuits. He holds a Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. A sports enthusiast, he is passionate about cricket and tennis.

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Mr. Sudhanshu Vats
Managing Director Designate
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Mr. Sudhanshu Vats

Managing Director Designate

  • Sudhanshu Vats is the Managing Director Designate at Pidilite Industries 
    Limited.

  • An Alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and NIT Kurukshetra, Sudhanshu has a career spanning 33 years across sectors with a strong track record of propelling significant business growth and creating long-term value for all stakeholders of the company. He is an inspirational leader and mentors many young CEOs and CXOs, some of whom started their careers with him.

  • Before joining Pidilite, he was the Managing Director and CEO at EPL Limited (formerly Essel Propack Limited). Under his leadership, the company grew in double digits and developed a well-articulated strategy of “Leading the Pack” with Sustainability at its core.

  • As the Managing Director and Group CEO of Viacom18 Media Private Limited, he transformed the company into the fastest-growing full-play media organization with strong Digital footprint, expanding its presence across multiple screens and platforms. Viacom18 quadrupled its top line to $ 600 m with consistently positive PAT delivery in this period.

  • Sudhanshu began his professional journey at Hindustan Lever (now Hindustan Unilever) in 1991, where he spent 20 years across Sales & Marketing and General Management roles shaping, and elevating popular household brands like Lipton, Surf Excel, Rin, Wheel, Dove, Lifebuoy and Lux. He successfully launched Domex, Lipton Iced Tea, and Comfort in the Indian market. In his last role at Unilever, as Vice President - Laundry South Asia and Global Vice President - Radiant (Rin Brand), Sudhanshu grew these businesses by 20%+ crossing the € 1 Billion milestone.

  • During 2004-2005, Sudhanshu worked with BP in India as VP Marketing, Castrol India Limited and successfully relaunched the Castrol Master Brand.

  • Sudhanshu has been the Chairman of National Media and Entertainment Committee of CII for six years. He continues to be an active member of many committees and industry bodies. He is the Vice President and Director on the board of BCCI. He is the Vice Chairman and Director on the board of ASCI. He is also on the Global Advisory Board of Columbia University, New York.

  • Sudhanshu is a Six Star (World Marathon Majors) Sub-4-hour marathon runner. His philanthropic focus is on education. He serves on the advisory board of several NGOs.

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Mr. Kavinder Singh
Joint Managing Director Designate - Pidilite Industries
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Mr. Kavinder Singh

Joint Managing Director Designate - Pidilite Industries

  • Kavinder Singh is the Joint Managing Director Designate at Pidilite. His return to Pidilite follows a tenure at  Mahindra group as the Managing Director and CEO at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL). Kavinder was the Group Executive Board (GEB) member in Mahindra Group and also the Vice-Chairman at Holiday Club Resorts Oy in Finland, a wholly owned subsidiary of MHRIL and a leader in the European Vacation Ownership landscape.

  • Kavinder has played the role of  Chief Strategy Officer and CEO of the Consumer Products Business (MNT), in his earlier tenure at Pidilite Industries Limited.

  • With an illustrious career spanning 38 years in the FMCG and hospitality sectors, his stints include various roles in Asian Paints, ITC Ltd, Pidilite Industries and Mahindra Group. Notably, during his tenure at ITC, he built the Biscuits and Confectionery business and launched 'Sunfeast' brand.

  • Kavinder holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, and has attented the General Management Program at the Wharton School of Business. Kavinder has attented programs at Yale, IMD Lausanne and also at Harvard Business School.
  • Kavinder was the Chairman of CII-IBBI (India Business Biodiversity initiative) and has also chaired the Western region of CII Tourism committee.

  • Outside of his professional commitments, Kavinder engages in various interests. He enjoys reading, focusses on fitness and travels globally.

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Mr. Sandeep Batra
Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer
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Mr. Sandeep Batra

Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer

  • Sandeep’s return to Pidilite in June 2022 as Chief Financial Officer brings a sense of familiarity and experience to the organization. 

  • Previously serving in the same role at Pidilite from 2009 to 2015, his journey commenced with ICI India, accumulating over two decades of diverse experience across businesses and locations. Ascending to CFO at ICI in 2006, Sandeep then steered Pidilite through a transformative phase before joining Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals during a pivotal demerger, showcasing his adaptability and strategic vision.

  • Recognized as a transformational leader, Sandeep's repertoire includes orchestrating numerous M&A deals, fortifying robust systems, nurturing talent, and shaping cohesive teams. Sandeep strongly advocates for the continual growth of his team and dedicates significant time and effort to foster their development, ensuring their readiness for the future. 

  • A Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, he spent his formative years in Kolkata, the City of Joy. Beyond finance, his passions encompass Golf and Travel. 

  • Sandeep encapsulates his ethos in his inspiring mantra: "Own it to build it."

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Mr. Joseph Varghese
Director of Operations
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Mr. Joseph Varghese

Director of Operations

  • Joseph Varghese leads Pidilite’ s manufacturing operations and supply chain function, focusing on maximizing operational efficiency and productivity. With a vision of delivering best in class products and customer service, his strategic approach leverages cutting-edge technologies, building a cohesive team, guided by core principles of safety and sustainability.

  • With a 29-year career spanning multinational corporations like BASF, BP-Castrol, and AkzoNobel, Joseph’s expertise covers manufacturing operations, planning, logistics, budgeting, integrated business planning (IBP), and project management. He has successfully established several brownfield and greenfield projects.

  • Before joining Pidilite, Joseph spent a decade at AkzoNobel, starting as a Factory Manager to leading the manufacturing and integrated supply chain functions for decorative Paints in India. His tenure culminated in Singapore as Head of Regional Logistics for South Asia Pacific.

  • Joseph is a strong advocate of safety, sustainability, quality systems & processes. He holds a green belt and is proficient in Lean-Six Sigma tools and techniques. His transformative projects emphasize operational excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

  • An alumnus of the prestigious Institute of Chemical Technology (formerly UDCT) in Mumbai, Joseph holds a degree in Chemical Technology. He furthered his academic pursuits with a Post Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management from the CII Institute of Logistics.

  • Beyond his professional endeavours, Joseph enjoys traveling, especially on nature trails, and is passionate about badminton and gardening. He resonates with the words of the late Indian President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: “We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.”

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Mr. Prabhakar Jain
Chief Strategy And Business Development Officer - Pioneering Businesses
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Mr. Prabhakar Jain

Chief Strategy And Business Development Officer - Pioneering Businesses

  • Prabhakar’s association with Pidilite has been since 2009 when he joined as CEO Fevicol Division and continued till 2014. He was responsible for growing the Fevicol business and implemented some of its core building blocks, namely: 1. Fevicol Champion Club Reward Program 2. Darpan and tablets for sales force automation 3. Launch of Heatx 4. The significant development and shaping of premium PWG brands like Marine and Speedex.

  • More recently, Prabhakar was the force behind the acquisition of the adhesives business and the formation of the company in Sri Lanka, as well as the formation of wood finish JV ICA Pidilite with ICA of Italy.

  • Prior to that, he was Chairman and Managing Director at Goodyear India. Before joining Goodyear, Prabhakar has worked with Madura Coats, Asian Paints and ICI Plc in India and overseas. At ICI Plc, he managed the paints business of the company in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand and led senior global functional roles in strategy and strategic procurement based in Europe.

  • He is working towards creating a strong foundation for Pidilite’s international business which will enable the company to leverage its unique capability in emerging markets.

  • Prabhakar's inspiring quote: Everyone is honest and wants to contribute. It is for us to leverage that capability.

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Mr. Sanjay Bahadur
Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer - Construction Chemicals
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Mr. Sanjay Bahadur

Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer - Construction Chemicals

  • Sanjay Bahadur brings an extensive background in the construction industry to his role at Pidilite. Currently serving as Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer - Construction Chemicals, his journey is marked by significant milestones.

  • Starting in 1993 at Unitech Prefab Ltd. (now RDC Concrete), he swiftly rose to the position of Managing Director, gaining profound insights into the industry. His tenure till 2003 included leadership roles in Ready Mix-Concrete (RMC) Blocks & Pavers Operations in India. Later, as Managing Director of ACC Limited and Head of RMX, his expertise expanded, enriched further by roles at Larsen & Toubro Limited's ECC Construction Group in India, and Aeons Construction Products Limited. His international stint in Iraq added a global perspective to his repertoire, spanning a commendable six years. 

  • Sanjay’s celebrated career includes responsibilities such as Independent Non-Executive Director at Just Dial Limited, Director of A. B. Hotels Limited and Bamco Supply and Services Limited, Thailand. 

  • He graduated with a B.E. in Civil Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering in 1984, laying the academic foundation for his impactful journey in the construction domain. 

  • An artiste by nature, Sanjay is also an accomplished painter and singer.

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Mr. Salil Dalal
Chief Business Officer - Construction Chemicals
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Mr. Salil Dalal

Chief Business Officer - Construction Chemicals

  • Salil Dalal is the Chief Business Officer for Pidilite's Construction Chemicals business. Since joining Pidilite in 2012, he has led and developed multiple key businesses and channels that have significantly contributed to Pidilite’s growth. 

  • Before taking the helm of the Construction Chemicals business, he served as the Chief Business Officer for Fevicol. He also led the Emerging India Business, where he was responsible for driving growth of all of Consumer and Bazaar products in small towns with populations below 2 lakh and rural markets. In his stint as President of Sales and Marketing for Fevicol, Salil strengthened the iconic brand through successful digital campaigns, innovation pipeline, and developed initiatives for market share gain. Salil began his journey in Pidilite as the President Sales and Marketing for Pidilite’s Rurban business, and tripled the sales and distribution reach of the business in 3 years.

  • Throughout his career, Salil has consistently shown dedication to improving his team's capabilities, guiding businesses and brands at Pidilite and accelerating new segments.

  • Before joining Pidilite, he spent a decade at Asian Paints, working in Sales, IT, Marketing, and Services. His time at Nokia's startup in the mobile payments space and his experience at Future Group's Home Retail equipped him with key entrepreneurial skills and familiarized him with various consumer products and services.

  • Salil is a B.Tech graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University and holds an MMS from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Salil is an avid photographer and a runner. His life and choices are guided by a special quote: 'If you want to build a ship, then don't drum up men to gather wood, give orders, and divide the work. Rather, teach them to yearn for the far and endless sea.

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Mr. Manish Dubey
Chief Business Officer - Fevicol
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Mr. Manish Dubey

Chief Business Officer - Fevicol

  • Manish Dubey is the Chief Business Officer for Pidilite's Fevicol business. He joined Pidilite in 2023 as the Chief Marketing Officer. As a senior leader with over two decades of rich experience spanning FMCG, consumer, and BFSI sectors, Manish brings a holistic expertise in business strategy, sales & marketing, branding, communication, and customer experience.

  • In his previous role at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Manish held the position of Chief of Marketing & E-Commerce. There, he oversaw the e-commerce business, led marketing and brand efforts, spearheaded innovation, and championed improvements in customer experience. Prior to his tenure at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Manish contributed his talents to well-known enterprises like Asian Paints and General Mills. His portfolio boasts remarkable achievements in business growth and marketing & digital campaigns. 

  • Throughout these years, he has played a pivotal role in implementing digital transformation across companies. He was responsible for enhancing the customer's digital purchasing journey, streamlining sales processes, and crafting captivating campaigns. 

  • Manish is an alumnus of IIM Bangalore. On days he isn’t immersed in understanding business strategy and crafting ingenious customer led growth plans, he finds solace in the rhythmic pursuit of running marathons. Beyond the world of marketing, his appetite for knowledge extends to the pages of captivating fiction and enlightening non-fiction books, a testament to his insatiable curiosity.

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Mr. Rahul Sinha
Chief Business Officer - Consumer Products
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Mr. Rahul Sinha

Chief Business Officer - Consumer Products

  • Rahul Sinha is the Chief Business Office for Pidilite's Consumer Products division. He joined Pidilite in 2010 as President of Sales and Marketing for the Art & Stationery Business. After a successful tenure marked by significant market expansion, he transitioned to Human Resources in 2017 as President-HR, driven by his passion for cultivating and empowering talent. After seven years in HR and nearly 14 years at Pidilite, he has now returned to a business role as the head of Consumer Products. He strongly believes that organizations need to be digitally savvy, consumer-centric, people-sensitive, and value-focused. He continues to lead by instilling this culture within his teams.

  • With over 23 years of experience as a business leader in Sales and Marketing across FMCG and BFSI sectors, Rahul has a diverse background. Before joining Pidilite, he served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and Group Brand Head for Kotak Mahindra Bank. Rahul began his career at ITC Limited, where he spent nine years in various roles and businesses. His combined experience in Sales and Marketing , along with his passion for human resource development, enables him to effectively identify and resolve intricate business and talent challenges.

  • An alumnus of IIM  Bangalore with a Post Graduate degree, Rahul also holds a B.Tech from IIT-ISMU. Beyond his professional pursuits, he finds solace in music, literature, and his family. His life and work philosophy echo the wisdom encapsulated in the phrase: "Carpe Diem."

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Mr. Yogesh Anand
Chief Business Officer - International Operations
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Mr. Yogesh Anand

Chief Business Officer - International Operations

  • Yogesh Anand joined Pidilite in 2016 as President – Consumer Products Division and currently heads Pidilite’s international business across SAARC, SEA, Middle East, Africa and Brazil.

  • With a diverse skill set that covers multiple facets of business operations and industries, Yogesh infuses his teams with a dynamic leadership style that sparks peak performance. Having spent over 24 years in the FMCG commercial sector, Yogesh’s career embodies a blend of creativity and fervour. His career trajectory has been shaped by impactful roles across multinational companies like Cadbury, Kraftfoods, Mondelez International, and Colgate. Over the years, he has excelled in a variety of prominent positions across General Management, Business Strategy, Marketing - Brand Management, New Age Media Digital/Social and Sales. 

  • Yogesh has a track record of driving results, leveraging operational excellence and team empowerment as his core strengths. His secret to success lies in being open to change and focussing on what matters most.

  • With a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Guindy Engineering College, Anna University Chennai, and an MBA in Marketing from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai, Yogesh embodies a rich academic foundation.

  • In his spare time, he loves to explore new cultures through travel, is a movie buff and enjoys a good game of Tennis. 

  • His favourite quote reflects the creativity and agility he brings to work: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.”

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Mr. Ravishankar Chandrasekharan
Chief Business Officer – Pidilite Large User Business
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Mr Ravishankar Chandrasekharan

Chief Business Officer – Pidilite Large User Business

  • Ravishankar Chandrasekharan joined Pidilite in May 2024 to lead the Pidilite Large User Business (PLUB), overseeing four key verticals. In this role, he spearheads product development, marketing, and the provision of specialized services for PLUB.

  • Ravishankar brings over three decades of rich experience in the EPC and infrastructure sectors. Before joining Pidilite, he led the Urban Built Form Strategic Business Unit at Tata Projects, where he managed the P&L for three business units, including buildings, airports, factories, data centers, and smart cities. His portfolio boasted a business volume of $2 billion and an annual revenue of $500 million.

  • He began his career with AFCONS Infrastructure Limited and later spent over two decades at Larsen & Toubro, solidifying the company's leadership in corporate office buildings, IT office buildings, and corporate real estate campuses for global MNCs. He achieved a tenfold revenue growth and led iconic and complex projects such as the New Parliament Building, Noida International Airport, Hyper Scale Data Centres, Giga Factory, Semiconductor factory, and Smart Street Lighting, maintaining market leadership across various sectors and geographies.

  • Ravishankar holds a BE in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. He has also completed several leadership and training courses at Harvard, INSEAD, and the University of Michigan. As a dedicated engineer, his mission is to create sustainable and innovative solutions for urban development and transformation.

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Mr. Surendra Gupta
Chief Business Officer - Pigments
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Mr. Surendra Gupta

Chief Business Officer - Pigments

  • Surendra assumed the role of Chief Business Officer – Pigments at Pidilite in 2023, bringing over 25 years of seasoned expertise in specialty chemicals. His comprehensive experience spans multifaceted domains including operations, projects, new product development, quality assurance, business development, marketing & sales, and profit centre management.

  • Surendra’s commitment to enhancing the customer journey, driving change management, and delving into novel business dimensions defines his professional philosophy.

  • In his previous position as Director of the Heubach Toyo Joint Venture and General Manager in Marketing & Sales at Heubach Colour Pvt. Ltd in Vadodara, he established and managed offices and sales channels in pivotal markets such as Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. 

  • Surendra holds the prestigious distinction of being a top-ranked Pigment & Dyestuff technologist from ICT-Mumbai (formerly UDCT). His academic accomplishments include a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai, complemented by a specialized B2B-Marketing Certification from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

  • With a footprint in over 20 countries, Surendra strategically engaged in developing new clientele, expanding business horizons, and fortifying the Heubach brand.

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Mr. Vishal Malhan
Chief Business Officer, Emerging India Division
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Mr. Vishal Malhan

Chief Business Officer, Emerging India Division

  • As the Chief Business Officer, Emerging India Division, Pidilite, Vishal spreadheads business expansion across Pidilite’s Consumer and Bazaar segments in small towns and rural markets. 

  • Vishal’s growth curve is testament to Pidilite’s ethos of cultivating and elevating talent within its ranks. Vishal began his career with Pidilite as a Management Trainee in 1998. Over the next 15 years, the expertise he gained at the Fevicol Division saw him progress steadily from an Area Sales Manager in Rajasthan to the role of Chief-Marketing. 

  • Realising his proficiency in both sales and marketing, saw him transition to Consumer Products – MNT Division, where he assumed the role of Vice President in 2013. This was followed by a brief but impactful stint in the Strategic Initiatives Group in 2015.

  • From 2016 to 2021, Vishal's tenure as Senior Vice President with the International Business Division showcased his prowess in steering business development initiatives across the SAARC & SEA regions. His strategic focus on nurturing markets in countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar marked a period of substantial growth and expansion for Pidilite.

  • In his current role, he plays a crucial part in fostering sustained growth and expanding markets in small towns and rural areas of India. This involves innovative initiatives like Pidilite Ki Duniya (PKD) stores and seamless tech integration, reaching every corner of the country. 

  • Furthermore, he consistently implements creative marketing strategies to enhance engagement and expand the market. The Pidilite-Rurban Division recently won the Corporate Excellence Award 2023 for inventive below the line initiatives, reinforcing product awareness across markets. He's also pivotal in driving the penetration of new-age products like ROFF and Araldite in small towns and villages. Additionally, he's committed to the successful launch of Haisha Paints in smaller Indian markets.

  • He holds a degree in Commerce from Sydenham College, Mumbai, with a management course from IMI, New Delhi. Beyond work, his interests include travel and sports.

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Mr. Pankaj Bhargava
Chief Procurement Officer
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Mr. Pankaj Bhargava

Chief Procurement Officer

  • With a professional background spanning over 32 years in Procurement, Supply Chain, Information Technology, and Retail Business management, Pankaj brings a wealth of expertise to his current role.

  • As the Chief Procurement Officer, he is responsible for procurement strategy and operations across all businesses of Pidilite. Pankaj is leading the transformation of the procurement function, focusing on pillars such as business partnership, vendor management, automation, and the use of digital technologies to reduce transactional work. This includes a strong emphasis on analytics to gain insights into the supply market, supplier performance, and buying behavior. Additionally, his priorities include building procurement knowledge on materials and categories to discover new sources of value, enabling self-service for non-core categories, and ensuring resilience. He is also actively involved in building subsidiary procurement expertise.

  • Pankaj has a track record of leading supply chain resilience and improvement initiatives across manufacturing, supply chain, and procurement to enhance the reliability of the supply chain.

  • Before taking on his current role, Pankaj served as the Chief Information Officer at Pidilite, where he played a central role in transforming the IT function to be digitally ready. He led various implementation initiatives, including SAP, collaboration technologies, sales force automation, secondary sales, dealer app, loyalty programs, and Salesforce. Pankaj laid the foundation for a platform-led approach, improving resilience and information security.

  • Prior to joining Pidilite, Pankaj held multiple roles managing a Food & FMCG rural retail business, overseeing supply chain operations, and leading the information technology function.

  • Pankaj holds a Postgraduate degree in Management and is guided by the inspirational quote: 'We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it – but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.'

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Mr. Anubhav Saxena
Chief - R&D Office
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Mr. Anubhav Saxena

Chief - R&D Office

  • Anubhav Saxena is the President of Pidilite’s Research & Development division.   He joined Pidilite in 2018, bringing with him 20 years of diverse research experience. Under his leadership, the company has reshaped the adhesives industry with pathbreaking products and formulations.

  • As an innovation specialist, Anubhav believes in unleashing the potential of people, ideas, and science to create value. All through his career, he has been recognized for insightful problem-solving abilities, and delivering impactful, future-oriented results.

  • Prior to joining Pidilite, Anubhav served as the Global Technology Director - Corporate R&D (CRD) at Momentive Performance Materials, where he shaped the CRD vision, strategy and metric strategies to enable organizational success. He also developed an ecosystem to enable efficient ideation, experimentation, and implementation of new concepts.

  • After postdoctoral research in Polymers from Japan, Anubhav joined GE Welch Technology Centre, Bangalore in 2004 where he built strategic technology platforms, high performance teams and fostered a culture of innovation until 2012. 

  • Anubhav owns close to 45 global patents and has authored more than 40+ research articles, reviews, highlights, and book chapters in peer reviewed international journals and magazines.

  • In addition to his professional accomplishments, Anubhav is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (FRSC). He sits on the Advisory Boards of Chemical & Engineering News (CE&N), ACS Omega and The Academy Trust of The Indian Academy of Sciences Bangalore.

  • Anubhav is an avid wildlife enthusiast and is most comfortable exploring nature. 

  • A quote from Peter Drucker inspires him - "Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast."

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Mr Sandeep Tanwani
Chief Marketing Officer
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Mr. Sandeep Tanwani

Chief Marketing Officer

  • Sandeep Tanwani joined Pidilite in 2024 as Chief Marketing Officer. With over 25 years of global business experience, Sandeep brings extensive expertise in business strategy, brand building, communication, digital marketing and supply chain strategies.

  • In his previous role as Vice President of Unilever Professional & Homecare Transformation, South Asia, he was instrumental in developing a B2B business model for Unilever. This initiative operated as a startup within the larger Unilever ecosystem, integrating the best of marketing, R&D, supply chain, and go-to-market strategies to develop pioneering solutions for business operators.

  • Sandeep began his career with Reliance Industries before moving to Unilever, where he spent over two decades building Unilever's fabric solutions and skincare categories. He has proven track record in category strategy, innovation, building brand portfolios, P&L management, and international marketing.
  • An alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur and an engineering graduate from Gujarat University, Sandeep is passionate about creating lasting value for businesses through brands and consumer-centric innovations.

  • Beyond the world of marketing, he loves cross country motorbiking, cricket and movies.


Mr. Saswata Dhar
President Legal
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Mr. Saswata Dhar

President Legal

  • Saswata spearheads the Legal, Secretarial, and Compliance divisions, and advises C-suite and leadership members on intricate and multifaceted issues. His strategic counsel is instrumental in steering Pidilite’s growth trajectory, both organically and through strategic expansions, while safeguarding stakeholder value and ensuring overarching compliance and governance.

  • A seasoned legal leader with nearly 30 years of experience across prominent multinational and Indian conglomerates such as Hindustan Unilever Limited, Vodafone India Limited, and Adani Enterprise Limited, Saswata brings a wealth of sector-spanning experience.

  • All through his career, Saswata has provided strategic legal counsel for pivotal M&A ventures, corporate restructuring, consortium arrangements, high-stakes technological joint ventures, and intricate financing and funding arrangements. His expertise also extends to devising end-to-end legal strategies for litigation, mediations, and arbitrations on complex issues having substantial risk exposures, through innovative approach while managing large-scale, intricate businesses and enterprise risks through a strategic, collaborative, and inclusive approach, within governance framework.

  • Under his leadership, legal teams have earned accolades both internally and externally, with awards like the Global GC 500 Power List Team Award and individual recognition through prestigious forums like the Global GC 500 Power List Award and Forbes India Top General Counsel Power List.

  • Saswata has completed his B.Sc. (Economics) from Presidency College, Kolkata, MA (Economics) from JNU, New Delhi, and LLB from the University of Delhi. He is passionate about photography, culinary arts, hillside journeys, and academic writing, having contributed to esteemed publications like the International In-house Counsels Journal (IICJ).

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