Colgate-Palmolive India Appoints Manish Anandani as Managing Director and CEO

August 21, 2026

Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited has announced the appointment of Manish Anandani as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Anandani will take over the top executive leadership position from Prabha Narasimhan, who is stepping down to take on a broader regional role within the multinational consumer goods company.

What Happened

The company’s board of directors approved the leadership change during its meeting on August 21. Anandani has been appointed for a five-year term commencing September 28, 2026, subject to the necessary statutory clearances and the approval of the company’s shareholders.

Prabha Narasimhan is stepping down as MD and CEO effective from the close of business on September 27, 2026. Her departure from the India leadership post comes alongside her promotion to Executive Vice President – Marketing for the Asia-Pacific division of Colgate-Palmolive. Concurrently, Narasimhan will step down from the board of directors as well as her memberships in the Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee, the ESG & Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, and the Risk Management Committee.

Key Highlights

New Leadership: Manish Anandani takes charge as MD and CEO for a five-year tenure starting September 28, 2026.
Regional Promotion: Outgoing MD and CEO Prabha Narasimhan transitions to Executive Vice President – Marketing for Colgate-Palmolive’s Asia-Pacific division.
Extensive Industry Background: Anandani brings roughly 30 years of professional experience spanning sales, marketing, general management, and senior executive responsibilities.
Prior Experience at the Firm: Anandani previously worked at Colgate-Palmolive between 2005 and 2018 in various roles across India, Indochina, and the corporate office, concluding as Worldwide Director in Global Customer Development.
Recent Corporate Leadership: Before this appointment, Anandani served as Managing Director for India and South Asia at Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health).
Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory filings confirm Anandani is not related to any directors of the company and has not been debarred from holding directorships by SEBI or any other regulatory body.

Why This Matters

This leadership succession reflects structured executive mobility within the global Colgate-Palmolive organisation. Narasimhan advances into higher-level Asia-Pacific regional oversight, while the Indian entity gains a chief executive who brings prior familiarity with the brand alongside broad experience in retail marketing, consumer health, digital transformation, and market expansion across domestic and international markets.

What to Watch Next

The official transition will conclude on September 27 and 28, 2026. Anandani’s formal tenure as Managing Director and CEO remains subject to voting outcomes from company shareholders as well as any mandatory regulatory and statutory approvals.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Manish Anandani assume the role of MD and CEO?

Anandani is scheduled to take charge on September 28, 2026, for a five-year term, following shareholder and statutory approvals.

What is Prabha Narasimhan’s next position?

Prabha Narasimhan has been promoted to the post of Executive Vice President – Marketing for the Asia-Pacific division of Colgate-Palmolive.

What roles did Manish Anandani hold previously?

Anandani previously served as Managing Director for India and South Asia at Kenvue, Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Philippines, and Vice President of Sales and Professional Marketing for India. He also spent 13 years at Colgate-Palmolive between 2005 and 2018 in positions culminating in Worldwide Director in Global Customer Development.

Source: Information reported by News18 Business Desk from corporate regulatory filings.