Veteran Castrol India executive Saugata Basuray has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective 1 January 2026, the firm announced on Wednesday.
The move follows the departure of Kedar Lele, who stepped down from his position as Managing Director at the end of 31 December 2025.
Basuray will take on the additional responsibility of Interim CEO alongside his existing duties as Wholetime Director and Head of B2C Sales. With the change in role, he will be re-designated as Wholetime Director & Interim CEO from the start of the new year, and will hold the interim post until a permanent managing director is appointed.
A long-standing member of Castrol India Limited (CIL), Basuray brings more than 25 years of experience across sales, marketing and business leadership to the interim role. He began his career with the company in 1999 as a management trainee, soon after completing his MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management.
During his extensive tenure, Basuray has held a variety of influential positions both in India and overseas, gaining experience in diverse markets across four countries and two continents. Earlier in his career he served as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of CIL and Regional Vice President at BP, roles that offered him insight into strategic leadership and global business operations.
In 2008, he was posted to Castrol’s global headquarters in the United Kingdom, where he contributed to the marketing efforts that helped establish Castrol Edge as a global power brand. After returning to India, he led sales for the B2B division and later headed marketing for Castrol India. His international experience includes leadership stints in the Philippines and as Managing Director of Castrol’s joint venture in Indonesia.
The appointment is part of a planned leadership transition at Castrol India, aimed at maintaining continuity as the company searches for its next long-term head.
.jpg)
