In a career spanning nearly four decades, Vineet Agrawal led Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting through a transformative journey, from a modest ₹300 crore business in 2002 to a ₹10,600 crore (~$1.2 billion) global FMCG leader by 2025. As he prepares to retire in January 2026, Agrawal leaves behind a legacy of vision, discipline, and expansion.
From Fieldwork to the Corner Office
Agrawal joined Wipro as a management trainee in 1985 and began his career on the ground, shadowing seasoned sales professionals in cities like Patna and Ranchi. These early experiences, including a powerful lesson in dignity from a salesperson who reorganized fallen soap bars outside a store, deeply shaped his leadership style, focused on humility, ethics, and hands-on involvement.
A Business Transformed
In 2002, when Agrawal became CEO, Wipro Consumer Care had revenues of ₹300 crore. And by 2025, it had surpassed ₹10,600 crore, with operations across 60+ countries. He led 15 major acquisitions, including Yardley, Unza, and L.D. Waxson, dramatically expanding Wipro’s global footprint.
Santoor: The Flagship Brand
Under his watch, Santoor evolved into a blockbuster brand worth over ₹2,700 crore, becoming the second-largest soap brand in India by volume.
Leading with Ethics
A defining moment in Agrawal’s leadership came when he refused to pay a bribe to secure an environmental clearance for a CFL plant. He was willing to shut down the project rather than compromise on ethics, something that earned him deep respect internally.
Leadership Transition
Kumar Chander, currently the President of SE Asia & Yardley India, will take over as CEO from February 1, 2026. A formal transition period starts October 2025 to ensure a smooth handover.
Legacy That Endures
Agrawal’s tenure not only scaled Wipro Consumer Care’s numbers but also built an enduring culture of discipline, long-term strategy, and principled leadership. He leaves behind a global, diversified business and a leadership pipeline poised to take it further.
