Hero MotoCorp, one of the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers, has announced the appointment of Harshavardhan Chitale as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 5, 2026. The company’s Board of Directors approved the appointment during its meeting on September 8, 2025.
Chitale will succeed Vikram Kasbekar, who has been serving as Acting CEO. Kasbekar will step down from the interim role once Chitale takes charge but will continue as Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on the company’s Board.
A leader with global experience
With more than 30 years of leadership experience across industrial automation, lighting, IT services, and digital transformation, Chitale brings deep expertise in scaling businesses globally. He most recently served as Global CEO of Signify’s €4 billion Professional Business, where he led 12,000 employees across 70 countries, driving digital initiatives, supply chain transformation, and product innovation.
Earlier in his career, Chitale was Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Philips Lighting India, where he oversaw the spin-off of the company into a standalone public entity. He also held senior leadership roles as CEO and Board Member at HCL Infosystems and Honeywell Automation India.
An alumnus of IIT Delhi, Chitale graduated with the prestigious Director’s Gold Medal. Beyond his corporate journey, he is also an active angel investor in emerging sectors including electric vehicles, clean energy, health-tech, and agri-tech.
Hero MotoCorp’s transformation journey
Announcing the appointment, Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman of 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.”
The appointment comes as Hero MotoCorp doubles down on its EV ambitions, premium bike segment, and sustainability roadmap, aligning with India’s rapid shift toward cleaner mobility and digital-first customer experiences.
