Hero MotoCorp has appointed Harshavardhan Chitale as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 5, 2026, following the approval of the Board of Directors.
Harsh has over three decades of global leadership experience across B2B and B2C sectors, including industrial automation, lighting, IT services, and digital transformation. He has held senior executive positions in publicly listed and multinational corporations, delivering growth, profitability, and organizational transformation. He has worked in India, the United States, and Europe, gaining both international perspective and experience in the Indian market. His track record includes profitable growth, large-scale organizational transformation, and integration of acquisitions to create long-term value.
Chitale has worked in India, the United States, and Europe, giving him a global perspective while remaining rooted in India’s market realities. His experience includes driving profitable growth, leading organizational change, and integrating acquisitions to unlock long-term value.
He previously served as Global CEO of Signify’s €4 Billion Professional Business, leading 12,000 employees across 70 countries and overseeing manufacturing, supply chain, and product development. Under his leadership, the business increased profitability and launched over 100 products annually, including IoT-enabled lighting solutions.
Before that, Chitale was Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Philips Lighting India, where he executed the spin-off into a standalone public company and strengthened its market position. He has also held senior leadership roles at HCL Infosystems and Honeywell Automation India, driving organizational growth and shareholder value.
As part of the leadership transition, Vikram Kasbekar, Acting CEO, will work closely with Chitale to ensure a smooth handover. Kasbekar will continue to serve on the Board of Hero MotoCorp as Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer.
Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Harsh’s outstanding track record in driving growth, fostering innovation, and leading global transformation makes him the ideal leader for Hero MotoCorp at this pivotal moment. His vision and dynamism will accelerate our journey across electric and emerging mobility, premiumization, digitalization, sustainability, and organizational renewal — shaping the future of mobility and beyond. With Harsh at the helm, Hero MotoCorp is well-positioned to realize its full potential and deliver enduring value to shareholders, customers, employees, and society at large.”
