Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Colgate India Names Anandani CEO as Narasimhan Takes Regional Role
Colgate-Palmolive India is changing its top leader.
Prabha Narasimhan will stop being the company’s India CEO on September 27, 2026.
She will take a new marketing leadership job for Colgate-Palmolive in the Asia-Pacific region.
Manish Anandani will become the new India CEO the next day.
Anandani worked at Colgate from 2005 to 2018.
He has also led Kenvue’s India and South Asia business.
Colgate says Narasimhan helped grow premium products, sales and profits.
The company still faces strong competition, and its Palmolive brand has not performed as well as hoped.
Analysts say Anandani’s experience could help him quickly understand the business.
Manish Anandani will become Colgate-Palmolive India’s MD and CEO on September 28, 2026, for a five-year term.
Prabha Narasimhan will step down on September 27 and become executive vice president for Asia-Pacific marketing at Colgate-Palmolive.
Anandani previously worked at Colgate-Palmolive from 2005 to 2018 and later led Kenvue’s India and South Asia business.
Colgate credited Narasimhan with premiumization, volume growth, profitability and consistent revenue momentum during her tenure.
Analysts described the transition as well planned, while the company faces competition and acknowledged weakness in its Palmolive brand.
- Who
- Colgate-Palmolive (India), outgoing CEO Prabha Narasimhan and incoming CEO Manish Anandani.
- What
- Colgate-Palmolive India is replacing Narasimhan with Anandani as managing director and chief executive, while Narasimhan moves to a regional marketing role.
- When
- The change was announced on August 21, 2026; Narasimhan’s India role ends September 27, and Anandani starts September 28, 2026.
- Where
- The leadership change concerns Colgate-Palmolive’s India business, while Narasimhan’s new role covers the Asia-Pacific division.
- Why
- Narasimhan is moving to a promoted regional position, and the board approved Anandani’s appointment following a recommendation from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
Positive assessments
Concerns and questions
Narasimhan’s record
Positive assessments
Colgate-Palmolive said Narasimhan led a transformative period, including premium portfolio growth at five times the broader market’s pace, volume-led growth, strong profitability and consistent topline momentum.
Concerns and questions
Her tenure also coincided with strong competition from Dabur’s Red, Patanjali’s Dant Kanti and newer oral-care startups; the company’s shares later underwent a sharp correction.
Anandani’s appointment
Positive assessments
Nuvama analysts said Anandani brings relevant sales, marketing, ecommerce and managing-director experience, and described the transition as well planned rather than abrupt.
Concerns and questions
One report characterized the announcement as a surprise top-level reshuffle and noted that Narasimhan is leaving the India CEO role a year before the end of her tenure.
Business priorities
Positive assessments
Colgate has emphasized a return to its core oral-care business and science-led innovation to differentiate itself from emerging competitors.
Concerns and questions
The company acknowledged that its Ayurvedic Ved Shakti product did not succeed as hoped, while Narasimhan called Palmolive’s performance disappointing.
- Outgoing leader
- Prabha Narasimhan, MD and CEO since September 1, 2022
- Incoming leader
- Manish Anandani
- Effective dates
- Narasimhan steps down September 27, 2026; Anandani starts September 28, 2026
- Appointment term
- Five years, from September 28, 2026, to September 27, 2031
- Narasimhan’s next role
- Executive Vice President—Marketing, Asia-Pacific Division
- Anandani’s Colgate experience
- Worked across India, Indochina and the corporate office from 2005 to 2018
- Recent results
- Q1FY27 net profit rose 7% year on year to Rs 343 crore and revenue rose 12% to Rs 1,591 crore
- Stock performance
- Reports said the shares were about 51% below their October 2024 record high; one report cited a price near Rs 1,889 on Friday
Sources
Rejig at Colgate: Prabha Narasimhan promoted, Manish Anandani to be new MD & CEO
Colgate India appoints Manish Anandani as new CEO in surprise top-level reshuffle
Colgate-Palmolive appoints Manish Anandani as MD & CEO; outgoing CEO Prabha Narasimhan elevated to Asia-Pacific role
