Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has appointed Harshavardhan Chitale as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 5, 2026 .
Chitale will succeed Vikram Kasbekar, who has served as Acting CEO following the departure of Niranjan Gupta in early 2025. Upon the leadership transition, Kasbekar will seamlessly shift back to his roles as Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer, ensuring continuity in key operations .
Profile: Harshavardhan Chitale
Harshavardhan Chitale joins Hero MotoCorp with over three decades of leadership experience across multiple sectors, including industrial automation, lighting, IT services, and digital transformation.
Global CEO, Professional Business at Signify (the company spun off from Philips Lighting): Managed a €4 billion division with operations across 70 countries and a workforce of 12,000 employees, overseeing manufacturing, supply chain, product development, and global digital transformation .
Vice Chair & Managing Director, Philips Lighting India: Led a successful spin-off into a standalone, publicly listed company and consolidated its market position .
Held senior leadership positions at HCL Infosystems and Honeywell Automation India, driving growth and innovation .
An IIT Delhi alumnus and Director’s Gold Medal recipient; also an angel investor in EVs, clean energy, health-tech, and agri-tech startups—aligning well with Hero MotoCorp’s strategic direction
Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, welcomed Chitale’s appointment, emphasizing that it comes at a critical juncture. According to Munjal, Chitale’s exceptional leadership and transformational experience make him the ideal choice to guide Hero MotoCorp through its next phase of growth.
The company’s board approved Chitale’s appointment on September 8, 2025, with the executive taking charge on January 5, 2026. Hero MotoCorp has affirmed that Kasbekar will collaborate closely with Chitale to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
As a quick background, Niranjan Gupta stepped down as CEO effective April 30, 2025, paving the way for Vikram Kasbekar to assume the role in an acting capacity . This makes Chitale’s upcoming appointment the next strategic move as part of a carefully managed leadership transition.
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