Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Birla Opus CEO Rakshit Hargave to Lead Britannia
Rakshit Hargave, who was the boss of a paint company called Birla Opus, is leaving to become the boss of Britannia, which makes biscuits and snacks.
He helped Birla Opus become the second-biggest paint company in India very quickly.
Before working with paints, Rakshit had jobs in the food business, like with Nestle and Domino's.
So, this new job at Britannia is like him going back to the kind of work he did when he was younger.
It's a big move because he's changing industries again, and people will be watching to see how he does at Britannia and how Birla Opus does without him.
Rakshit Hargave is resigning as CEO of Grasim Industries' paints division, Birla Opus, to join Britannia as CEO.
Hargave was instrumental in rapidly scaling Birla Opus to become India's second-largest decorative paints brand.
This move marks a return to the food industry for Hargave, where he previously held roles at Nestle and Dominos Pizza India.
At Britannia, Hargave will succeed Ranjeet Kohli, who stepped down in March 2025.
Hargave's career is characterized by versatility, with experience spanning automotive, FMCG, retail, and paints, in addition to his early career in food.
- Who
- Rakshit Hargave
- What
- Resigned as CEO of Birla Opus to become CEO of Britannia
- When
- Announced on Wednesday, November 7, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To return to the food industry where he started his career and lead Britannia.
Rakshit Hargave's Career Trajectory
Impact on Companies
Industry Versatility vs. Focus
Rakshit Hargave's Career Trajectory
Hargave's career shows significant versatility, moving across automotive, FMCG, retail, paints, and returning to the food sector where he began.
Impact on Companies
His departure from Birla Opus, a rapidly growing paints company he helped establish, raises questions about its future trajectory. Conversely, his return to the food industry leverages his early career experience at companies like Nestle and Dominos.
Leadership Transition
Rakshit Hargave's Career Trajectory
Hargave's move to Britannia as CEO signifies a return to his roots in the food industry, aiming to replicate past successes.
Impact on Companies
Britannia gains a CEO with a strong track record, while Grasim Industries faces a leadership change at a critical growth phase for its paints division.
- Departing Role
- CEO of Birla Opus (Grasim Industries)
- New Role
- CEO of Britannia
- Hargave's Early Career
- Nestle (Maggi noodles), Dominos Pizza India
- Tenure at Birla Opus
- November 2021 to November 2025 (4 years)
- Birla Opus Achievement
- Became India's number 2 decorative paints brand
- Hargave's Education
- B.Tech from IIT, Banaras Hindu University; MBA from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi
- Predecessor at Britannia
- Ranjeet Kohli (stepped down March 2025)
