Kumar Chander to succeed Vineet Agrawal, who will retire in January 2026 after four decades with the company.
Vineet Agrawal, CEO of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and Managing Director of Wipro Enterprises, will retire in January 2026 after an illustrious 40-year career with the organization. Kumar Chander, currently serving as President – Southeast Asia and Yardley India, has been named his successor. Chander will assume the role of CEO effective February 1, 2026.
Starting October 2025, Chander will work closely with Agrawal to ensure a seamless leadership transition. He will be based at the Wipro Enterprises headquarters in Bengaluru.
Agrawal joined Wipro in 1985 and became CEO of the Consumer Care & Lighting division in 2002. Under his leadership, the company transformed into a global FMCG powerhouse. Over the past two decades, he spearheaded 15 strategic acquisitions, significantly broadened the company’s international footprint, and elevated Santoor to one of India’s top two soap brands.
Back in 2003, Wipro’s consumer business was primarily focused on vanaspati, soap, and lighting in India. Today, it operates in over 60 countries, spanning diverse categories such as personal care, home care, skincare, food, lighting, and seating solutions.
Azim Premji, Chairman of Wipro Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., remarked on the transition, stating,
“Vineet has played a defining role in shaping Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting into a formidable and globally admired business-growing it from ₹300 crore in 2003 to over ₹10,600 crore today. He not only transformed Santoor into a leading Indian brand but also built a powerful global platform through 15 strategic acquisitions. His deep understanding of people, culture, and value creation has left a lasting legacy. I thank him for his exceptional contribution over four decades.”
He added,
“I’m delighted to welcome Kumar Chander as the next CEO of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and MD of Wipro Enterprises. With 33 years at Wipro, and a consistent track record across Indian and global markets, Kumar brings strategic clarity and operational excellence. His leadership helped us achieve the No. 1 position in Malaysia’s personal care market and rank among the top 3 in several others. His humility, integrity, and business acumen make him well-suited to lead Wipro into the future.”
Reflecting on his journey, Vineet Agrawal shared,
“It has been a privilege to serve Wipro for 40 years and to lead Consumer Care & Lighting for the past two decades. Together, we built a global business grounded in strong systems, disciplined execution, and unwavering integrity. I’m proud of our transformation journey and confident in Kumar’s ability to take the business even further. His leadership style and global perspective will guide Wipro to new heights.”
Kumar Chander stated,
“It is an honour to lead Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting at such a pivotal time. Wipro has shaped me personally and professionally. I’m committed to building on the strong foundation laid by Vineet and all the teams across our global network. Together, we will continue to grow with purpose and deliver lasting impact across markets.”
Chander has been with Wipro Consumer Care for 34 years, leading operations across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. As President – Southeast Asia and Yardley India, he played a key role in integrating global acquisitions and positioning the acquired brands as market leaders in their respective regions.
