India’s power play at P&G: Who are the 5 leaders now steering the consumer goods giant?

In a striking sign of India’s rising influence in global corporate leadership, Procter & Gamble (P&G) now counts a remarkable cohort of Indian-origin executives at the helm of its global business. From its next global CEO to the heads of core business divisions, HR, and market insights, talent shaped in P&G’s India operations is driving strategy and growth worldwide.

This transition spotlights India’s reputation as a talent factory for P&G worldwide, with the company’s India affiliate serving as one of the largest exporters of senior executives and top management talent to key leadership roles at the parent company across markets and categories.

Leading this India-rooted leadership wave is Shailesh Jejurikar, who will assume the role of President and CEO of P&G starting January 2026, overseeing the company’s entire global business. Currently, Shailesh is P&G’s Chief Operating Office.

A Mumbai University and IIM pass-out, as COO, Jejurikar, is responsible for P&G’s Enterprise Markets (Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe) and leads Information Technology, Global Business Services, Sales, Market Operations, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Distribution and New Business for the company.

His P&G career has spanned multiple businesses (Health & Beauty Care, Home Care, Fabric Care and P&G Professional) in both developed and developing regions (North America, Europe, Asia and Africa). 

Prior to his current role, Shailesh was the Chief Executive Officer of P&G’s largest business sector, Fabric & Home Care, which includes many of P&G’s most-iconic brands like Tide, Ariel, Downy, Gain, Febreze, Swiffer. Between 2016 and 2021, he served as executive sponsor for global sustainability, ensuring full integration of P&G’s sustainability goals into the day-to-day business of the company. 

More on Shailesh Jejurikar

Joining him are Sundar Raman, who was elevated to CEO of P&G's fabric and home care division in late 2021. He is responsible for delivering top- and bottom-line growth through innovation (R&D), a synchronised E2E supply chain, brand-building and sales.

Born in Palamaneri, Tamil Nadu, India, Raman who is an IIT, IIM and Harvard Business School pass-out, began his P&G career as a market analyst in India in 1998 and soon moved to the United States, where he worked in a variety of roles, from business intelligence to marketing, in P&G Beauty.

The Sundar Raman story

Then comes the newest leadership announcement Freddie Bharucha who has been named the next CEO of P&G Beauty. Bharucha’s appointment not only expands the Indian cohort in P&G’s top ranks but also exemplifies the company’s growing confidence in leaders shaped by its India affiliate. 

Read more on Freddie Bharucha

A Mumbai University and IIM pass-out, Bharucha’s career spans leadership positions in every region P&G operates. Having worked within each category of P&G Beauty-personal care, skin care and hair care he is said to have played a critical role in its continued evolution, strengthening connections with consumers, retail partners and stakeholders.

The leadership team is further strengthened by Bala Purushothaman, serving as Global Chief Human Resource Officer, and Kirti Singh as Chief Market Knowledge Officer.

In 2022, the company elevated Bala Purushothaman to Global CHRO. He took over the role from Tracey Grabowski, who retired from the Company after a career spanning over three decades.

Born in Chennai, Purushothaman joined P&G as a management trainee in Human Resources in Mumbai, India. He went on to work in several of P&G’s business units, including Global Beauty and Grooming  and has held positions of increasing responsibility at the country, region and global levels, while living and working across North America, Europe and Asia.

Currently, Bala is responsible for developing and leading P&G’s people and organisation strategy.

Bala’s role

Last but not the least, born in Chamba, Kirti Singh leads P&G’s global Consumer Market Knowledge (CMK) organisation, Analytics and Insights and Global Media group in leveraging cutting-edge data, analytics, behavioural science and visualisation to discover consumer, shopper and market insights and transform them into actionable outputs that drive growth of P&G’s global product portfolio. 

Together, this India-born leadership bench now shapes strategy, drives innovation, and commands key global businesses at P&G. It’s a clear signal that the company’s leadership DNA is shifting — with Indian talent not just contributing, but defining the future of one of the world’s most influential consumer goods giants.