Suresh Narayanan Steps Down after Transformative Decade at Nestlé India

Suresh Narayanan, the long-serving Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, will step down from his role effective August 1, 2025, concluding a 10-year tenure marked by innovation, resilience, and unprecedented growth. The company announced this in its Q1 FY26 result.

Under his leadership, Nestlé India’s revenue grew at a CAGR of 10.3%, while profit after tax surged 490% and market capitalization nearly quadrupled.

“Serving Nestlé India has been the honour of my lifetime. I leave with gratitude and confidence in our future,” said Narayanan, highlighting employee resilience and consumer trust as the cornerstones of the company’s journey.

Notable milestones during Suresh Narayanan’s tenure include the steady expansion in rural markets and digital channels, which significantly broadened Nestlé India’s consumer reach and accessibility across geographies.

He also successfully steered the company through the MAGGI crisis, helping it not only recover but reclaim its market leadership in the instant noodles segment — a feat considered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in India’s FMCG sector.

Narayanan placed a strong strategic focus on premiumization and sustainability, introducing higher-value product lines while embedding environmental and social responsibility into core business operations.

Additionally, he identified and nurtured new growth drivers such as pet food and breakfast cereals, turning them into fast-scaling verticals that now contribute meaningfully to Nestlé India’s diversified portfolio.

Narayanan also introduced progressive HR policies, such as “pawternity leave” and employee pet feeding initiatives, reflecting a culture of empathy and inclusion.

He leaves behind a legacy of stakeholder value creation and cultural transformation in India’s consumer goods landscape.