New Delhi, November 10, 2025 – The NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Holdings, Japan, has announced the appointment of Sharad Malhotra as Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective December 1, 2025. He succeeds Jon Tan and will report to Wee Siew Kim, CEO of NIPSEA Group. Malhotra becomes the first Indian to hold this leadership role. Headquartered in Japan, Nippon Paint is the world’s fourth-largest paint company by revenue and the leading paints and coatings brand in the Asia-Pacific region. The appointment reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to India, a key strategic growth market. A Proven Leader in Paint Innovation A 15-year veteran with Nippon Paint, Malhotra has been instrumental in building the company’s automotive refinish, wood coatings, and light industrial coatings business in India. He also serves as a Director on the Board and has recently led the company’s expansion into new product categories, including paint protection films. Commenting on the appointment, Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings and Group CEO, said, “We are delighted to appoint Sharad Malhotra to this pivotal leadership role. His proven track record, strategic vision, and deep understanding of the Indian market make him ideally suited to lead our next phase of growth.” Vision for India’s Growth Story On his new role, Sharad Malhotra said, “It is an immense honour to lead Nippon Paint India at this transformative moment. India presents unique opportunities, and I look forward to building on our strengths and expanding possibilities for our customers and partners.” As Managing Director, Malhotra will oversee the company’s strategic direction and drive sustainable growth across all segments of the Indian paint market. He will also continue to lead Nippon Paint’s global automotive aftermarket business, a division he has successfully developed from inception. India: A Strategic Growth Market With India’s expanding infrastructure, skilled workforce, and strong economic growth, Nippon Paint sees the country as central to its Asia-Pacific ambitions. Under Malhotra’s leadership, the company aims to strengthen its market presence while delivering value to stakeholders and advancing sustainable innovation.