Colgate-Palmolive India has announced a leadership transition, with Manish Anandani set to take over as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer from 28 September 2026, succeeding Prabha Narasimhan, who has been elevated to a regional role within the global organisation.
The company said Narasimhan will assume the position of Executive Vice President, Marketing, Asia-Pacific Division, Colgate-Palmolive, effective at the close of business on 27 September 2026.
The transition comes as Colgate-Palmolive India looks to build on recent business momentum and deepen its focus on premiumisation, digital commerce and category expansion in the country's oral care market.
Leadership change follows four years of transformation
Narasimhan's move follows a four-year stint as Managing Director and CEO of Colgate-Palmolive India, during which the company strengthened its leadership position in oral care and accelerated growth across premium segments.
According to the company, key outcomes during her tenure included:
- Premium portfolio growth at five times the pace of the broader market
- Volume-led business expansion
- Industry-leading profitability
- Consistent revenue growth momentum
- Expansion across e-commerce and quick-commerce channels
- Increased focus on oral hygiene adoption across urban and rural India
The company also highlighted its continued investment in purpose-led initiatives, including Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and the Oral Health Movement, during her tenure.
Before joining Colgate-Palmolive India, Narasimhan held senior leadership positions at Hindustan Unilever, including Executive Director for Home Care.
Anandani returns after 13 years with Colgate-Palmolive
The appointment marks a return to Colgate-Palmolive for Anandani, who most recently served as Managing Director, India and South Asia, at Kenvue, the consumer health company formerly part of Johnson & Johnson.
He brings nearly 30 years of experience across sales, marketing, general management and business leadership roles.
Anandani previously spent 13 years at Colgate-Palmolive between 2005 and 2018, holding leadership assignments across India, Indochina and the company's corporate organisation. His last role at the company was Worldwide Director, Global Customer Development.
The company said his experience spans enterprise strategy, digital transformation, e-commerce growth and market expansion.
Premiumisation and digital channels remain central to growth
The leadership transition comes at a time when Colgate-Palmolive India is intensifying its focus on higher-value growth opportunities.
The company is marking 90 years of operations in India and has identified premium products, category development and operational efficiency as key priorities for its next phase.
Digital channels have become an increasingly important growth engine for the business.
According to the company:
- The e-commerce business continues to deliver high double-digit topline growth
- More than 50% of e-commerce sales come from premium products
- Gross margins in the channel are approximately 400 basis points higher than overall company averages
- E-commerce and quick-commerce platforms have contributed to growth, market share gains and premiumisation
The company said rising consumer adoption of rapid delivery platforms is creating additional opportunities for growth across digital commerce channels.
Focus shifts to the next chapter
The appointment places Anandani at the centre of Colgate-Palmolive India's next growth cycle as the company seeks to strengthen its premium portfolio, expand digital commerce capabilities and deepen category penetration.
At the same time, Narasimhan's elevation to a regional leadership role reflects the broader impact of her tenure in India and positions her to lead marketing initiatives across the Asia-Pacific business.