Pidilite Industries has appointed Suresh Kumar C as its chief human resource officer (CHRO) and senior management personnel, effective 21 July, 2026. As CHRO, Kumar will now lead Pidilite’s overall people strategy, overseeing talent management, leadership development, organisational effectiveness, workforce planning, and culture as the company continues to strengthen its leadership pipeline and support long-term growth.
The appointment comes as Ashish Prasad, current CHRO, transitions into the role of chief business officer – strategic initiatives.
A Pidilite veteran with over 33 years at the company, Kumar was previously serving as co-chief human resource officer. Throughout his long association with the adhesives and construction chemicals major, he has held several leadership positions across human resources, organisation development, and strategic initiatives, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s people and leadership practices.
Most recently, he was president – Pidilite Management Group since 2022, focusing on leadership development and organisational capability. Before that, he was senior vice president – organisation development for over four years, leading initiatives around culture, talent, and organisational effectiveness.
Between 2011 and 2014, Kumar held the position of chief–human resources, overseeing the company’s HR strategy and people agenda. Prior to that, he served as chief–strategic initiatives (2009-2011), leading cross-functional business-transformation projects.
He began his journey with Pidilite in 1993, spending nearly 16 years in a series of HR leadership roles across the organisation, gaining extensive experience in talent management, organisational development, employee relations, and HR operations.
