Mumbai: Gillette India Limited, a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble and the maker of leading brands such as Gillette, Venus, and Oral B, has announced the appointment of Kapil Sharma as Vice President and Category Head – Grooming, effective August 1, 2025.
Sharma, a seasoned P&G professional with over two decades of global experience, will return to India from the company’s Cincinnati headquarters where he currently leads Global Digital Commerce and Superior Retail Execution. His new role will see him spearheading Gillette India’s grooming category—one of the company’s most significant business verticals—at a time of strong category momentum and growth potential.
Commenting on his new role, Kapil Sharma said, “I truly look forward to returning to India and leading the Grooming category that presents immense opportunities. It’s a privilege to serve our consumers and stakeholders again, providing them with best-in-class innovations that enhance their daily lives. With India being a pivotal market for P&G globally, it fills me with pride to contribute to this remarkable growth journey.”
Since joining P&G in 2001, Sharma has held leadership roles across the United States, Asia Pacific, India, and Middle East regions, driving digital commerce, brand strategy, go-to-market execution, and global sales. He is credited with orchestrating business turnarounds and delivering sustained, profitable growth.
Sharma holds an MBA from the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai, and a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Institute of Engineering & Technology, Lucknow.
He succeeds Abhishek Desai, who has been elevated to a regional leadership position overseeing Asia, Middle East, and Africa, and will be based out of Dubai.
Desai, a P&G veteran of 18 years, has played a crucial role in driving record performance for Gillette India’s grooming portfolio. Under his leadership, the company saw double-digit growth and reinforced its market leadership in the Blades and Razors segment.
Reflecting on his tenure, Desai said, “It has been both a privilege and an honor to serve as the Category Head for the Grooming business. This journey was incredibly rewarding, filled with valuable lessons and meaningful opportunities to raise the bar on serving consumers and all stakeholders. I wish the team my best as they continue to delight consumers, under Kapil’s leadership.”
The leadership transition comes as Gillette India continues to strengthen its grooming portfolio through innovation, digital transformation, and consumer-focused strategies. With Sharma’s extensive global experience and digital acumen, the company is well-positioned to drive the next phase of growth in one of P&G’s most strategic markets.
