NIPSEA Group appoints its first Indian MD as it strengthens market strategy and expansion plans
The NIPSEA Group, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nippon Paint Holdings, has announced the appointment of Sharad Malhotra as Managing Director of Nippon Paint India, effective 1 December 2025. He succeeds Jon Tan and will report to Group CEO Wee Siew Kim. Malhotra becomes the first Indian to hold this leadership role within the company.
Nippon Paint is the world’s fourth-largest paint company by revenue and the leading paints and coatings manufacturer in the Asia–Pacific region. The appointment underscores the company’s strategic focus on India as a high-priority market in its long-term global growth roadmap.
A 15-year veteran of Nippon Paint, Malhotra has been instrumental in building the automotive refinish, wood coatings, and light industrial coatings businesses in India. As a member of the Board, he has also been closely involved in the company’s expansion into paint protection films and adjacent categories.
Commenting on the appointment, Wee Siew Kim, Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings and Group CEO, NIPSEA Group, said, “We are delighted to appoint 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, business insight, and commitment to excellence make him ideally suited to lead our India operations through the next phase of growth.”
Accepting the role, Malhotra 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 expanding possibilities for our business, building on strengths, and supporting customers and partners as we move forward.”
As Managing Director, Malhotra will guide the strategic direction of Nippon Paint India, leveraging the company’s regional experience and aligning with domestic market needs. His focus will be on sustainable growth across all paint market categories while continuing to lead the company’s global automotive aftermarket business, which he has overseen since inception.
With a young population, rapid infrastructure expansion, and strong economic momentum, India remains a key market for Nippon Paint. The company will continue investing in its supply chain, innovation capabilities, and partnership ecosystem to expand its presence and deliver value to all stakeholders.
This leadership transition aims to strengthen Nippon Paint’s commitment to India while drawing on its Asian heritage, technology, and operational excellence to accelerate future growth.
Headquartered in Singapore, NIPSEA Group is Asia Pacific’s No. 1 paint and coatings manufacturer, with 148 companies in 28 countries, 118 manufacturing facilities, and over 31,000 employees. The group serves customers across architectural, industrial, automotive, and marine coatings, alongside construction solutions. With a focus on customer-centric innovation and quality, NIPSEA Group continues to deliver high-performance solutions for partners, tradespeople, and homeowners across the region.
