Bajaj Consumer Care announced a significant leadership transition following its board meeting on June 24, 2025. The company has appointed Mr. Naveen Pandey as its new Managing Director for a term of five years, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Mr. Jaideep Nandi, whose five-year tenure concludes on June 30, 2025.
In another key management change, the board approved the appointment of Mr. Aakash Gupta as the new Head-Finance, designated as Senior Management Personnel (SMP), starting July 1, 2025. He replaces Mr. Richard D'Souza, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities and will be relieved on July 7, 2025.
| Position | Incoming Personnel | Outgoing Personnel | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Director | Mr. Naveen Pandey | Mr. Jaideep Nandi | July 1, 2025 (Appointment) / June 30, 2025 (Cessation) |
| Head-Finance (SMP) | Mr. Aakash Gupta | Mr. Richard D'Souza | July 1, 2025 (Appointment) / July 7, 2025 (Cessation) |
Detailed Analysis of Leadership Changes
The board's decisions, based on the recommendations of the Nomination, Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee, signal a strategic overhaul at the top level of the company.
New Managing Director: Mr. Naveen Pandey
Mr. Naveen Pandey's appointment as Managing Director is for a period of five consecutive years, subject to the approval of members at the upcoming 19th Annual General Meeting.
According to the company's filing, Mr. Pandey is an accomplished business leader with over two decades of experience in P&L management, strategic planning, innovation, and sales. He possesses deep domain knowledge of the personal care industry and has over five years of general management experience, including two years as the Managing Director of a listed company. The company stated that his appointment is expected to bring "fresh perspective, energy, and momentum to the Company's leadership," positioning him to lead its next phase of growth and strategic transformation. The company confirmed that there are no inter-se relationships between Mr. Pandey and other board members, and he is not debarred from holding a directorship by any regulatory authority.
Transition in Finance Leadership
The company also announced a change in its finance leadership. Mr. Aakash Gupta will take over as Head-Finance from July 1, 2025. Mr. Gupta is a qualified Chartered Accountant and an MBA from IIM Indore, bringing extensive experience in financial planning, analysis, controllership, and treasury operations. The company expects his strong financial acumen to significantly contribute to its financial strategy and operational efficiency.
This appointment follows the resignation of Mr. Richard D'Souza, who is leaving to "pursue opportunities outside the organization." The Board has accepted his resignation and noted the letter, which was attached to the filing. Mr. D'Souza will be relieved from his duties at the close of business hours on July 7, 2025.
Amendment to Employee Stock Unit Plan
In addition to the leadership changes, the Board of Directors approved significant amendments to the Bajaj Corp Employee Restricted Stock Unit Plan 2018 (RSU 2018). The key changes include:
- An increase in the Option Pool from 7,37,500 to 12,37,500 units.
- A change in the exercise price.
These amendments are intended to align the RSU 2018 scheme with prevailing regulatory requirements and are subject to the approval of the shareholders at the 19th Annual General Meeting.
Market Impact and Outlook
Such comprehensive changes in a company's core leadership, including the Managing Director and Head of Finance, are closely watched by investors. The transition marks a new chapter for Bajaj Consumer Care. The appointment of Mr. Naveen Pandey, with his extensive experience in the personal care sector and a track record of driving growth, could be perceived as a strategic move to invigorate the company's market position and innovation pipeline.
The Board placed on record its "sincere appreciation for the contribution made by Mr. Jaideep Nandi" during his tenure. Investors and the market will now be focused on the new leadership's ability to execute on the company's strategic objectives and deliver sustained growth in a competitive consumer goods landscape.
