The NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings, has appointed Sharad Malhotra as Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective December 1, 2025. He will succeed Jon Tan and report to Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings and Group CEO, NIPSEA Group. Malhotra becomes the first Indian to be appointed to this position.
Headquartered in Japan, Nippon Paint is the world’s fourth-largest paint company by revenue and the leading paints and coatings company in the Asia-Pacific region. The appointment aligns with the Group’s strategy to deepen its presence in India, which it regards as a strategic growth market.
A 15-year veteran at Nippon Paint, Malhotra has built the company’s automotive refinish, wood coatings and light industrial coatings businesses in India from the ground up. An existing director on the company’s board, he has also been involved in the firm’s recent moves into adjacent categories such as paint protection films.
Commenting on his appointment, Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings and Group CEO, NIPSEA Group said, "We are delighted to appoint Mr. Sharad Malhotra to this pivotal leadership role. Sharad has successfully led and charted a strong growth path for our auto refinish business globally, while being based in India. His proven ability to deliver results, deep understanding of our business, and commitment to excellence make him ideally suited to lead our India operations through the next phase of growth.”
Speaking on his new role, Sharad Malhotra, Managing Director, Nippon Paint India said, "It is an immense honour to lead Nippon Paint India at this transformative and pivotal moment. The Indian market presents unique opportunities and challenges, and I look forward to expand possibilities for our business, build on our strengths, and support our customers and partners as we move forward."
As Managing Director, Malhotra will drive the overall strategy and direction of Nippon Paint India, focusing on sustainable growth across all segments of the paint market. He will continue to lead Nippon Paint’s global automotive aftermarket initiatives, a category he has overseen since its inception.
The company said India’s large and youthful population, expanding infrastructure and favourable growth outlook make the country a key focus for long-term investment. Under Malhotra’s leadership, Nippon Paint India expects to pursue product diversification, technological investments and sustainable practices tailored to local market needs while creating value for customers, partners and stakeholders.
