The NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings, has appointed Mr. Sharad Malhotra as Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective 1 December 2025. He succeeds Mr. Jon Tan and will report directly to Mr. Wee Siew Kim, CEO of the Group and Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings. Malhotra becomes the first Indian to hold this leadership position at the company.
Nippon Paint — the world’s fourth largest paint company by revenue and the No. 1 paints and coatings manufacturer in the Asia-Pacific region — views India as a strategic pillar for its long-term growth. The appointment signals the company’s commitment to strengthening its presence and deepening its roots in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
A 15-year veteran of Nippon Paint, Mr. Malhotra has built key businesses for the company in India from the ground up, including automotive refinish, wood coatings and light industrial coatings. He also serves on the company’s board and recently led Nippon Paint’s diversification beyond paints into paint protection films and related categories.
Mr. Kim said, “We are delighted to appoint Mr. Sharad Malhotra to this pivotal leadership role. He has successfully led and charted a strong growth path for our auto refinish business globally while being based in India. His ability to deliver results and deep understanding of the business makes him ideally suited to lead our India operations through the next phase of growth.”
Mr. Malhotra said he is honoured to take on the leadership role at a “transformative moment” for the company. “The Indian market presents unique opportunities and challenges. I look forward to expanding possibilities for our business, strengthening our capabilities and supporting our customers and partners as we move forward.”
As Managing Director, Mr. Malhotra will lead strategy and direction across all segments of Nippon Paint’s India operations, while continuing to spearhead the company’s global automotive aftermarket business — a category he has led since its inception.
India remains a key focus market for Nippon Paint, with strong drivers such as rapid economic growth, a young population, and expanding infrastructure. The company plans to leverage its global expertise, technological capabilities and robust ecosystem to unlock sustainable growth in India.
