Mumbai: Castrol India has appointed Saugata Basuray as its Managing Director for a five-year term beginning June 1, 2026, marking a significant leadership transition at the lubricant manufacturer.
The appointment was approved by the company’s Board of Directors following the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, according to a regulatory filing. Basuray currently serves as Whole-time Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Castrol India.
A seasoned company veteran with more than 26 years of experience within the Castrol network, Basuray takes over the role after holding a series of leadership positions across India and international markets.
Most recently, he led Castrol India’s B2C business, overseeing initiatives aimed at strengthening the company’s market reach, modernising its go-to-market approach and deepening distribution penetration, particularly in rural regions. He was later entrusted with the additional responsibility of Interim CEO before being elevated to the top position.
Global Experience Across Markets
Basuray joined Castrol India in 1999 as a Management Trainee shortly after completing his MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM). Over the course of his career, he has built experience across sales, marketing and business leadership functions, working in four countries and managing operations across diverse markets.
His international assignments include leading Castrol Philippines between 2013 and 2017, followed by a stint as Managing Director of Castrol’s joint venture operations in Indonesia. These roles expanded his exposure to fast-growing lubricant markets across Asia and strengthened his strategic leadership credentials.
Earlier in his career, Basuray also served as Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of Castrol India and held the position of Regional Vice President at BP, gaining broader exposure to the energy major’s global operations.
Role in Building Global Brands
One of the defining phases of Basuray’s career came in 2008 when he moved to Castrol’s global headquarters in the United Kingdom. There, he was part of the marketing team involved in developing Castrol Edge into a global premium lubricant brand.
Upon returning to India, he went on to head the company’s B2B sales business before assuming responsibility for the marketing function. His leadership across both commercial and brand-building roles has given him experience spanning customer engagement, channel management and product marketing.
Leadership Continuity
The appointment signals continuity within Castrol India’s leadership ranks, with the company choosing a long-serving executive who has played a key role in several strategic initiatives over the years.
Basuray holds an Engineering degree from the University of Pune in addition to his MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management. His elevation to Managing Director comes at a time when the lubricant industry is navigating changing mobility trends, evolving customer expectations and increasing demand for technology-led solutions.
With a career spanning more than two decades within the organisation, Basuray is expected to lead Castrol India’s next phase of growth while building on the company’s established market position in the country.
