Castrol India appoints Kedar Lele as Managing Director to drive growth and innovation, ET Auto

Kedar LeleCastrol India Limited has appointed Kedar Lele as its new Managing Director, effective 1 November 2024. Lele, who joins from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) where he held the position of Executive Director for Sales & Customer Development in South Asia, is expected to bring extensive industry experience to his new role. This move signifies Castrol India’s focus on driving business growth and innovation in the automotive and lubricants sector.

Kedar Lele is a seasoned professional with a career spanning over two decades at Hindustan Unilever Limited. His expertise in leading high-performing teams and fostering innovation is expected to be a key asset for Castrol India’s strategic goals. Commenting on the appointment, Castrol India’s Chairman, Rakesh Makhija, expressed his enthusiasm for Lele’s involvement.

“We are delighted to welcome Kedar to the Castrol India. His vast experience in driving growth and leading large teams in complex markets makes him an outstanding choice to lead Castrol India. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sandeep for his exceptional leadership over the past few years. His contributions have been invaluable in strengthening our position in the market, and we wish him success in his new global role,” said Rakesh Makhija.

Kedar Lele future strategy

Kedar Lele shared his excitement about taking on his new role and outlined his priorities for Castrol India. He emphasised his commitment to expanding the company’s portfolio and driving business growth through effective deployment models.

“Castrol is a widely recognised brand in the lubricants industry, and I am very excited to lead Castrol India in its next leg of growth and transformation. A key priority for me will be to continue to expand our portfolio coupled with effective deployment models to drive business growth. We will continue to use our trusted brand, innovative product portfolio and cutting-edge technology to stay at the forefront of India’s mobility sector. My experience of working with different categories and geographies has prepared me well to build winning teams while cultivating a spirit of innovation and discipline of execution excellence that aligns with Castrol’s ambitious growth plans,” said Kedar Lele.Sandeep Sangwan as Global Chief Marketing Officer

To ensure a smooth leadership transition, Lele has been working closely with outgoing Managing Director Sandeep Sangwan since 1 September 2024. This collaboration has allowed Lele to gain valuable strategic insights into the company’s operations and build strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Effective 1 November 2024, Sandeep Sangwan will take on the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer at Castrol’s headquarters in London. His leadership has been pivotal for Castrol India, and his new position is a testament to his contributions.

With Kedar Lele at its helm, Castrol India aims to sustain its market leadership and continue pushing the boundaries of innovation. The company remains committed to fostering a rewarding environment for its stakeholders and ensuring a bright future in the Indian subcontinent.

• Published On Oct 30, 2024 at 12:15 PM IST

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