In a landmark leadership move, Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings arm, NIPSEA Group, has appointed Sharad Malhotra as the Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective December 1, 2025. Malhotra will succeed Jon Tan and report directly to Group CEO Wee Siew Kim, becoming the first Indian to hold this position in the company’s history.
Malhotra, who currently leads Nippon Paint’s global automotive aftermarket business, will now helm the India Group’s strategic direction and growth agenda. His appointment signals a deeper commitment to the Indian market, which the company describes as “a key growth engine” driven by its young population, expanding infrastructure, and favorable business climate.
“Sharad has consistently delivered results and built a robust global auto refinish business from India,” said Wee Siew Kim. “His leadership, market insight, and execution excellence make him the ideal choice to lead our next phase in India.”
The company emphasized that Malhotra will continue to oversee the automotive aftermarket vertical globally, a segment he has nurtured since inception. His dual role reflects Nippon Paint’s confidence in India’s leadership talent and its strategic importance within the Asia-Pacific region.
With this appointment, Nippon Paint reinforces its long-term commitment to India, aligning with the country’s economic momentum and infrastructure ambitions. The company plans to deepen its footprint across decorative paints, industrial coatings, and auto refinishing, leveraging Malhotra’s proven track record and market acumen.
