Castrol India has announced the appointment of Kedar Lele as its new Managing Director effective 1 November 2024. Kedar succeeds Sandeep Sangwan, who will transition to the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer at Castrol’s headquarters in London. This leadership change comes at a time when Castrol is navigating the shifting demands of India’s mobility and lubricants markets driven by the rapid growth of electric vehicles and changes in automotive technology.
Kedar Lele joins Castrol India with over two decades of experience at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where he was Executive Director for Sales & Customer Development across South Asia. Known for his expertise in leading high-performance teams, fostering innovation, and driving growth, Kedar is expected to play a central role in aligning Castrol India’s operations with the dynamic mobility sector. His appointment suggests a focus on leveraging Castrol’s established brand strength while adapting to the evolving needs of the automotive industry which increasingly centres on sustainability and electric mobility.
Kedar outlined his vision for Castrol India’s growth which includes expanding the company’s product portfolio and refining distribution models to strengthen market presence. He also underscored the importance of innovation and execution excellence which he sees as critical in staying at the forefront of India’s mobility sector. As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity, the traditional lubricant market faces significant disruption. Castrol’s response to this shift, under Kedar’s leadership, will likely focus on research and development of EV-specific fluids and products, aiming to retain relevance as the sector transitions to electric power.
The leadership transition has been underway since September, with Kedar working closely with outgoing Managing Director Sandeep Sangwan to ensure a smooth handover. This period allowed Kedar to familiarise himself with Castrol India’s operations and develop relationships with key stakeholders, positioning him to lead decisively from the start.
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