New Delhi: The NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings of Japan, has announced the appointment of Sharad Malhotra as Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective December 1, 2025. Malhotra will succeed Jon Tan and will report to Wee Siew Kim, CEO of the Group. Notably, Malhotra becomes the first Indian to be appointed to this prestigious position.
Headquartered in Japan, Nippon Paint is the world’s fourth-largest paint company by revenue and the No. 1 paints and coatings company in the Asia Pacific region. The appointment reflects the company’s strategic commitment to expand its business footprint in India—one of its key growth markets globally.
A 15-year veteran of Nippon Paint, Mr. Malhotra has been instrumental in building the company’s automotive refinish, wood coatings, and light industrial coatings businesses in India from the ground up. Currently serving as a Director on the company’s Board, he recently led Nippon Paint’s diversification into paint protection films and other adjacent product categories, marking the company’s expansion beyond traditional paints.
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.”
Sharing his vision for the 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 be responsible for driving the strategic direction and overall growth of Nippon Paint’s India operations. His focus will be on sustainable expansion across all paint market segments, aligning with the company’s global strengths while adapting to the diverse needs of the Indian market. Simultaneously, he will continue to spearhead Nippon Paint’s global automotive aftermarket business, a category he has successfully led since its inception.
India continues to be a strategic growth hub for Nippon Paint, backed by its rapidly growing economy, young demographic profile, skilled talent pool, and expanding infrastructure. Recognizing these advantages, Nippon Paint remains committed to deepening its roots and long-term investments in the country.
As the company transitions under new leadership, Nippon Paint India reaffirms its focus on creating long-term value for stakeholders and building on the Group’s strong legacy in Asian markets. Leveraging its technology, people, and ecosystem, the company aims to chart an ambitious growth trajectory in India’s dynamic and evolving market landscape.
