Colgate-Palmolive India is set for a leadership transition, with Manish Anandani appointed as the company’s next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed Prabha Narasimhan, who is stepping down from the position to take up a senior marketing role within the global Colgate-Palmolive group.
The company’s board approved Anandani’s appointment at its meeting on August 21, 2026. His five-year tenure as MD and CEO is scheduled to begin on September 28, 2026, subject to shareholder approval and other required regulatory clearances.
Prabha Narasimhan to Step Down on September 27
Narasimhan will leave her position as MD and CEO at the close of business on September 27, 2026. She is moving into a larger group-level role as Executive Vice President – Marketing for Colgate-Palmolive’s Asia-Pacific division.
Following her departure, Narasimhan will also step down as a director of Colgate-Palmolive India and relinquish her membership of the Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee, ESG & Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and Risk Management Committee.
In her resignation communication, Narasimhan thanked the company’s board and leadership team for their support during her tenure and expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve as MD and CEO.
Who Is Manish Anandani?
Anandani brings approximately three decades of experience spanning sales, marketing, general management and corporate leadership.
Before returning to Colgate-Palmolive, he served as Managing Director for India and South Asia at Kenvue, the consumer health company formerly associated with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health.
His previous leadership positions at Kenvue included Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Philippines and Vice President of Sales and Professional Marketing for India.
Anandani Has Earlier Experience With Colgate-Palmolive
The incoming CEO is already familiar with Colgate-Palmolive, having joined the company in 2005 as a Regional Manager.
During his earlier stint, he held multiple positions across India, Indochina and the company’s corporate office. He remained with the company until 2018.
His final position at Colgate-Palmolive was Worldwide Director in the Global Customer Development function, where he worked on strengthening retail marketing and shopper-development capabilities.
His return gives the company a leader who already understands its operations while also bringing experience gained from other major consumer-health businesses.
Focus on Digital Transformation and Market Growth
According to the company, Anandani has experience in areas including enterprise strategy, digital transformation, e-commerce, market expansion and business growth across both developed and emerging markets.
His academic background includes a degree in Electronics, an MBA in Marketing and an Executive MBA in Leadership from the Tuck School of Business in the US.
These experiences are expected to be relevant as consumer businesses increasingly focus on digital channels, changing shopping behaviour and expansion across markets.
Regulatory Details
Colgate-Palmolive India’s regulatory filing noted that none of the company’s directors is related to Anandani.
The filing also stated that Anandani has not been barred or disqualified from holding a director position by SEBI or any other regulatory authority.
Leadership Transition Comes With New Group Role for Narasimhan
The change marks a new phase for both executives. Narasimhan will move into a broader Asia-Pacific marketing leadership position within the Colgate-Palmolive group, while Anandani will return to Colgate-Palmolive India after an eight-year absence.
With his experience across consumer healthcare, sales, marketing, digital transformation and general management, Anandani will take charge of the Indian business for an initial five-year term, subject to the required approvals.