Castrol India Shakes Up Leadership: New Chairman and Directors Announced

Castrol India has announced significant leadership changes. Rakesh Makhija has been appointed as the new Chairman, replacing R Gopalakrishnan. Satyavati Berera joins as an independent director and audit committee chairperson, while Sangeeta Talwar will continue in her current roles. The changes await shareholder approval.

In a significant development, Castrol India announced a major leadership overhaul on Tuesday, appointing Rakesh Makhija as the new Chairman after R Gopalakrishnan stepped down following 24 years of service.

Makhija's appointment came into effect on October 1. His impressive resume includes senior roles at SKF Group, Tata Honeywell Limited, and Honeywell International, culminating recently in his tenure as non-executive Chairman of Axis Bank Ltd.

Additionally, Satyavati Berera was named an independent director and audit committee chairperson, succeeding Uday Khanna, who retired after a distinguished career at the company. Berera, former Chief Operating Officer of PwC India, brings over four decades of experience in business leadership and governance to her new role.

Sangeeta Talwar will continue as an independent director, chairing the NRC and Corporate Social Responsibility Committees. All these appointments are subject to shareholder approval, according to Castrol India.

“The combined expertise of Makhija and Berera will be pivotal in driving our growth and building on our legacy,” commented Sandeep Sangwan, Managing Director of Castrol India, while expressing gratitude to outgoing leaders Gopalakrishnan and Khanna.