Asian Paints on
Monday named Leo Puri as its chairman-designate, effective
January 23, 2027, after appointing him to its board for a
five-year term.
Puri, whose board term runs until September 2031, will
succeed R. Seshasayee.
The leadership transition comes at a time when India’s top
paint maker is facing mounting competition from new entrants and
well-funded conglomerates such as the Aditya Birla Group and JSW
Group, which have stepped up investments in the decorative
paints market, intensifying pressure on growth and margins.
Puri is a veteran of India’s financial sector and has held
senior roles at JPMorgan Chase, UTI Asset Management
and private equity firm Warburg Pincus.
He is currently the India advisory chair at global private
equity firm Apax and chairman of Fortis Healthcare.
Puri is also lead independent director at Dr. Reddy’s
Laboratories and an independent director at
Spain-based travel technology company Amadeus IT Group.