Blue Star has announced that Sam Balsara will retire as an Independent Director from its board on January 31, 2026, after completing two consecutive terms and upon attaining the age of 75.
Balsara, Chairman of Madison World, joined the Blue Star board in June 2017 and was reappointed for a second term in June 2022. During his tenure, he was associated with the company’s deliberations on brand positioning, consumer behaviour, and media strategy, reflecting his long-standing background in advertising and marketing. He also served as Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, where he was involved in leadership development and succession planning processes.
His exit marks the end of nearly nine years on the board at a time when consumer-facing businesses are placing increasing emphasis on brand-led growth and media-led engagement, areas where Balsara has been a long-standing industry voice.
Alongside this change, Blue Star has appointed M S Unnikrishnan as an Independent Director with effect from January 29, 2026, for a term of five years. Unnikrishnan is currently Head and CEO of the IIT Bombay–Monash Research Academy and previously served as Managing Director of Thermax Group. He also serves on the boards of several companies across engineering and energy-related sectors.
The company has also reappointed B Thiagarajan as Managing Director for a further term from April 1, 2026, until May 24, 2027, following the completion of his current tenure on March 31, 2026.
In another board-level development, Mohit Sud will be elevated as Executive Director, Unitary Cooling Products, with effect from April 1, 2026, for a period of five years. Sud joined Blue Star in March 2025 as Group President for the Unitary Cooling Products segment, overseeing room air conditioners and commercial refrigeration businesses.
Speaking on the appointments, Vir S Advani, Chairman & Managing Director adds, “Blue Star is an 82-year-old brand, Sam has played a significant role in our strategic efforts to make it stronger, youthful, and relevant to the new generation consumers as well as Tier 3-4-5 markets. His marketing insights helped the Company to gain market share year after year. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to place on record our deep appreciation for his outstanding contribution and exemplary service during his tenure. Unnikrishnan, with his exemplary track record in leadership roles in running engineering products and projects businesses and exposure to international markets, is a welcome addition to the Blue Star Board. Further extension of Thiagarajan’s tenure will help in accelerating the strategic programmes pertaining to growth, R&D, and manufacturing footprint apart from a seamless leadership transition. Mohit has been with Blue Star for about 10 months, and we have been grooming him for a Board-level leadership role. I am confident that his rich experience in the consumer space will help the Company in its mission to further improve its market share and enhance profitability in Unitary Cooling Products.”
These changes form part of a broader reshuffle at the board and senior management level as the company prepares for leadership continuity over the next financial cycle.
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