In a significant leadership move, Ranjan Sarkar has been appointed as the Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Bhilwara Group, a $1.5 billion diversified Indian conglomerate. Sarkar officially took charge on 1 August 2025, bringing with him more than two decades of HR leadership across Indian and multinational firms.
Headquartered in India, the Bhilwara Group has established itself as a major player in textiles and metals, while also aggressively expanding into future-facing sectors such as green energy, including solar, wind, and hydro power, as well as lithium battery packs and anode materials. Sarkar’s mandate spans all verticals, with a focus on modernising HR systems, strengthening industrial relations, and supporting the group’s long-term strategic transformation.
“My role is expected to bring in strong systems and practices across both HR and IR domains,” Sarkar told People Matters in an exclusive interaction. “It is important to blend the legacy strengths of the group with the right change management to support its next phase of growth.”
A transformative time for Bhilwara Group
The group’s foray into energy transition sectors is a key factor behind Sarkar’s appointment. His experience in leading transformation across legacy and greenfield setups is expected to play a pivotal role in aligning the organisation’s people strategy with the demands of rapid business diversification.
“What inspired me is the vision of the group and the opportunity to be part of the energy transition in India,” he added. “These emerging sectors will be the growth engine for Bhilwara in the coming years.”
Prior to joining Bhilwara, Sarkar served as CHRO at Exide Industries, a $3 billion market leader in automotive and industrial energy storage solutions. During his tenure, he led multiple strategic initiatives including greenfield site establishment, IR transformation, digitisation of HR systems, leadership development, and organisation design.
Sarkar has also held HR leadership roles in GlaxoSmithKline, Zee Entertainment, and CEAT, giving him exposure to diverse industries such as pharmaceuticals, FMCG, media, automotive, and energy storage. He is a certified HayGroup Job Evaluator, SHL Assessor, and has completed executive education from ISB Hyderabad.
A 1999 graduate of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM Pune), Sarkar’s HR philosophy is shaped by years of implementing change at scale—whether it’s cascading new organisational visions, introducing digital HR ecosystems, or building specialist talent models.
Immediate priorities and long-term vision
With India’s manufacturing sector undergoing rapid transformation—driven by sustainability, digitalisation, and policy incentives like PLI—Sarkar’s dual focus will be on strengthening core HR systems and enabling agility across new businesses.
He acknowledges the complexity of managing legacy businesses like textiles and metals while simultaneously building capabilities for emerging verticals.
“I see my role as a bridge between the group’s rich industrial legacy and its ambitious future in green technologies,” he said. “This means investing in talent, upgrading industrial relations frameworks, and embedding cultural alignment across business units.”