Grasim Industries has appointed Sachin Sahay as Chief Executive Officer of Birla Opus Paints, effective February 16, 2026. The ITC sales expert, with over 30 years in sales and marketing, succeeds interim leadership following Rakshit Hargave's exit, aiming to accelerate growth in India's competitive paints market.
Grasim Industries, part of the Aditya Birla Group, announced a pivotal leadership change for its fast-growing paints division, Birla Opus. Sachin Sahay, formerly Executive Vice President of Sales at ITC, steps in as CEO and Senior Management Personnel, bringing deep expertise in scaling FMCG distribution and brand growth across urban and rural India. This move comes after Rakshit Hargave's resignation in late 2025, with Managing Director Himanshu Kapania serving as interim CEO amid Birla Opus's aggressive expansion, including six manufacturing plants nationwide.
Key Highlights
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Effective Date: February 16, 2026, positioning Sahay to lead during peak market season.
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Background: Over 30 years at ITC, excelling in sales transformation, field automation, and multi-brand launches in foods and cigarettes.
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Strategic Fit: Expected to enhance distribution, capital efficiency, and partner ties against rivals like Asian Paints.
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Context: Birla Opus, launched in 2024, invests heavily to capture share in the ₹70,000 crore paints sector.
Sources: Reuters, InvestyWise (BSE filing), Economic Times.