Castrol India appoints Kedar Lele as Managing Director

Outgoing MD Sandeep Sangwan transitions to role of Global CMO at Castrol

Castrol India Limited, a leading lubricant manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Kedar Lele as its new Managing Director, effective 1 November 2024. Kedar joins Castrol India after an illustrious two-decade-long career at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where he last served as the Executive Director of the company, responsible for Sales & Customer Development, South Asia. With his deep expertise in leading high-performing teams, driving growth, and fostering innovation, Kedar is set to play a pivotal role in steering Castrol India’s future in the evolving automotive and lubricants industry.

Commenting on the appointment, Rakesh Makhija, Chairman, Castrol India Limited, said, “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.”

Sharing his views, Kedar Lele, Managing Director, Castrol India Limited, said, “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.”

To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Kedar has been working closely with the outgoing Managing Director, Sandeep Sangwan, since 1 September 2024. This period of changeover has allowed Kedar to gain strategic insights into the company’s operations and foster strong relationships with key stakeholders.

As part of the leadership shift, Sandeep will assume the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer at Castrol headquarters in London from 1 November 2024.

With Kedar at the helm in India, Castrol is well-positioned for continued success in the Indian subcontinent. The company remains committed to sustaining its market leadership, pushing the boundaries of innovation, and fostering a rewarding environment for its stakeholders.