In a significant leadership move, consumer healthcare giant Haleon has filled a key vacancy by naming Kedar Lele as the new President for the India Subcontinent. The appointment, announced on Friday, sees Lele transitioning from his role as Managing Director at Castrol India Ltd. He will officially begin his tenure this month.
A Seasoned Leader Takes the Helm
Kedar Lele steps into the role previously held by Navneet Saluja, the former ISC General Manager who retired in October 2025 after a notable career with the company. Lele is not new to leading major consumer-facing businesses. Before his stint at Castrol, which lasted nearly a year and a half, he built an impressive career spanning over 25 years.
His most extensive experience comes from a nearly two-decade-long journey at Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL). During his time at HUL, Lele held multiple senior positions, including Executive Director for Sales and Customer Development in South Asia and Chairman & Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh. His professional background also includes earlier roles at Kimberly-Clark Lever Ltd and board positions at TVS Automobile Solutions and the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bangladesh.
Strategic Role and Global Ambitions
In his new capacity, Lele will not only oversee Haleon's India operations but will also join the Haleon Executive Team (HET), the company's global leadership forum. This move is designed to strengthen alignment with the organization's overarching 'Win as One' strategy.
The company has set a clear mandate for its new India head. "As ISC President, Lele will drive India's leadership in powering Haleon's ambition of reaching 1 billion more consumers by 2030," stated the official release. His focus will be on advancing the company's purpose of delivering better everyday health with humanity. Haleon's portfolio in India includes iconic over-the-counter (OTC) brands like Eno, Sensodyne, Iodex, Crocin, Otrivin, and Centrum, targeting oral care, digestive health, pain management, and vitamin supplements.
Educational Pedigree and Sector Expertise
Lele's academic credentials complement his professional experience. He holds an MBA in Strategic Marketing and Operations from the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB) and a postgraduate diploma in Marketing Communications from MICA, Ahmedabad.
His diverse expertise across Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), advertising, digital innovation, and the automotive industry is expected to be a major asset for Haleon. The company, originally based in England, operates worldwide and views the Indian market as a critical growth engine. With Lele's appointment, Haleon signals a strong push to consolidate and expand its market leadership in India's competitive consumer healthcare space.
