Colgate-Palmolive India Limited has announced a leadership transition, with Manish Anandani appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 28, 2026. The appointment comes as the company enters its next phase of growth, building on its leadership position in India’s oral care market. Prabha Narasimhan, the company’s current Managing Director and CEO, will take on a new international role as Executive Vice President – Marketing, Asia-Pacific Division, Colgate-Palmolive, effective close of business on September 27, 2026.
During her four-year tenure, Ms Narasimhan led Colgate-Palmolive India through a period of business transformation, with a strong emphasis on premiumisation, consumer-focused innovation and category development. Under her leadership, the company accelerated growth in its premium portfolio, while maintaining volume-led expansion, strong profitability and consistent top-line performance.
Her tenure also saw increased focus on digital transformation, e-commerce and quick commerce, alongside initiatives aimed at strengthening oral hygiene awareness across urban and rural markets. The company expanded its consumer engagement efforts through programmes including Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and the Oral Health Movement.
Ms Narasimhan brings extensive experience in brand building, marketing and category development across multiple markets. Prior to joining Colgate-Palmolive India, she held senior leadership positions at Hindustan Unilever, including Executive Director for Home Care. Her experience across Indian and international businesses will support her new Asia-Pacific marketing mandate.
Mr Anandani brings three decades of experience spanning sales, marketing, general management and enterprise leadership. He joins Colgate-Palmolive India from Kenvue, formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, where he served as Managing Director for India and South Asia.
His experience includes enterprise strategy, digital transformation, e-commerce and market expansion. Anandani is also returning to Colgate-Palmolive, where he spent 13 years between 2005 and 2018. During that period, he held leadership positions across India, Indochina and the company’s corporate organisation, eventually serving as Worldwide Director in Global Customer Development.
The leadership transition comes as Colgate-Palmolive India continues to strengthen its premiumisation strategy and invest behind its brands and growth platforms. E-commerce and quick commerce have emerged as important contributors to the company’s growth, with premium products accounting for more than half of e-commerce sales. The company is also focused on improving operational efficiency and expanding opportunities across India’s evolving consumer landscape. As Colgate-Palmolive India marks 90 years of operations in the country, the company intends to build on its established oral care leadership while pursuing sustainable and profitable growth.
Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is a leading oral care company in India, with a focus on science-led innovation across oral and personal care. The company also works on sustainability and community initiatives covering plastic reduction, resource conservation, women’s empowerment and children’s oral health through programmes such as Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures.
