Asian Paints has elevated its governance board with the appointment of Leo Puri as an Additional and Independent Director for a five-year term, beginning 7 September 2026, subject to the shareholders’ approval. The development, disclosed after a board meeting, signals the company’s intention to deepen independent oversight as it continues to chart its strategic path. In a related governance plan, the board also indicated that Mr. Puri will assume the role of Chairman of the Board from 23 January 2027, when the term of the current chairman concludes, again pending shareholder authorisation.
Mr. Puri arrives at Asian Paints with four decades of leadership across the financial services and advisory landscape. He presently serves as Advisory India Chair at Apax, a global private equity firm. His past roles span leadership positions such as Chairman for South & Southeast Asia at JPMorgan Chase, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UTI Asset Management Company, and Managing Director and General Partner at Warburg Pincus, in addition to a senior tenure at McKinsey & Company. He also sits on multiple boards and chairs governance bodies, including Fortis Healthcare and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (Lead Independent Director), with current involvement at Amadeus IT Group among others.
The appointment underscores Asian Paints’ emphasis on seasoned governance and strategic depth as it navigates a dynamic market. Puri’s blend of private equity, asset management, consulting, and board-level oversight across diverse sectors is poised to bring a holistic perspective to the company’s governance and long-term value creation. As the company seeks shareholder endorsement for the changes, industry observers will be watching how this high-caliber experience translates into strategic guidance and boardroom leadership for Asian Paints.