PepsiCo India Appoints Savitha Balachandran as CFO for India and South Asia

PepsiCo India has announced a key leadership transition with the appointment of Savitha Balachandran as its new Chief Financial Officer for India and South Asia. She will take over the role following the retirement of long-serving CFO Kaushik Mitra later this year.

Savitha Balachandran to Lead PepsiCo India’s Finance Operations

Savitha Balachandran will assume charge as CFO after a structured transition period, the company confirmed on Friday. In her new role, she will oversee PepsiCo’s finance function across India and South Asia, focusing on financial strategy, governance, and performance management.

PepsiCo stated that Balachandran will work closely with the leadership team to strengthen long-term growth initiatives in India—one of the company’s most important anchor markets globally.

Strong Financial Leadership Background

Before joining PepsiCo India, Balachandran served as Chief Financial Officer at Tata Technologies. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial roadmap and was instrumental in executing its successful initial public offering (IPO) in 2023.

Earlier in her career, she held several senior finance leadership positions at Tata Motors, gaining deep experience across large-scale operations, governance, and capital management.

Kaushik Mitra to Retire After 24 Years at PepsiCo

Balachandran will succeed Kaushik Mitra, who is set to retire on April 15 after spending nearly two and a half decades with PepsiCo. Over the years, Mitra provided financial leadership across multiple senior roles in India and the Asia-Pacific region.

PepsiCo acknowledged Mitra’s long service, noting that he plans to pursue further academic interests and a career in writing following his retirement.

PepsiCo’s India Business Context

PepsiCo operates a strong food and beverage portfolio in India, including popular food brands such as Kurkure, Lay’s, and Quaker Oats, along with beverage labels like Pepsi and Mountain Dew. India continues to be a high-growth market for the company, driven by expanding consumption and localized product innovation.

FAQs

Who is the new CFO of PepsiCo India?

Savitha Balachandran has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer of PepsiCo India and South Asia.

Who did Savitha Balachandran replace at PepsiCo India?

She succeeds Kaushik Mitra, who is retiring after 24 years with the company.

When will the leadership transition take place?

Balachandran will assume the role following a structured transition period, with Mitra retiring on April 15.

What was Savitha Balachandran’s previous role?

She was the CFO of Tata Technologies and played a key role in its 2023 IPO.

Which brands does PepsiCo sell in India?

PepsiCo’s Indian portfolio includes Kurkure, Lay’s, Quaker Oats, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew.