Bengaluru: In a significant leadership move, Rakshit Hargave, the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Birla Opus Paints, is set to take over as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Britannia Industries Ltd.
Britannia announced Hargave’s appointment through a BSE filing on Wednesday (November 5), stating that its Board of Directors has approved his induction as an Additional Whole-Time Director and CEO for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval. His appointment will be effective December 15, 2025, the company confirmed.
“The Board has approved the appointment of Mr. Rakshit Hargave as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for a term of five years,” Britannia said in its disclosure.
Hargave will report directly to Varun Berry, Managing Director and Chairman of Britannia Industries.
On the same day, Grasim Industries, the parent company of Birla Opus Paints, announced that its board had accepted Hargave’s resignation, which will take effect at the close of business on December 5, 2025. In his resignation letter dated November 1, Hargave cited his decision to pursue new opportunities outside the Aditya Birla Group.
Grasim acknowledged Hargave’s contributions during his four-year tenure, noting that he played a pivotal role in building the company’s paints business from the ground up.
“Mr. Hargave helped build a high-performing team, established six integrated manufacturing facilities, and scaled our distribution and supply chain network — creating a strong foundation for Birla Opus as it grows,” the company said in its statement.
Until a successor is appointed, Grasim Managing Director Himanshu Kapania will directly oversee the paints business.
Hargave joined the Aditya Birla Group in November 2021, leading Birla Opus through its start-up build and early expansion phases. Grasim’s board expressed its appreciation for his efforts during the project-to-launch journey and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.
Hargave’s move to Britannia marks one of the most high-profile leadership transitions in India’s FMCG sector this year, coming at a time when both Britannia and Birla Opus are pursuing aggressive growth strategies in their respective markets.
