Samvardhana Motherson International Limited (SAMIL) has announced a leadership shuffle worthy of a corporate symphony — and this one’s playing in perfect harmony. Gandharv Tongia, a decorated finance virtuoso, has been appointed Group Chief Financial Officer Designate, preparing to take over the financial helm from Kunal Malani, who will now steer the Group Strategy & Transformation orchestra as President. Both transitions will formally take effect on November 15, 2025, setting the rhythm for Motherson’s Vision 2030 overture.
Tongia, a member of both the ICAI and ICSI, brings over two decades of cross-functional expertise — from corporate finance to digital transformation — making him less of a bean counter and more of a balance-sheet bard. Having bagged several prestigious CFO awards (ASSOCHAM, BW Businessworld, CII, Dalal Street) and the ICAI’s CA Business Leader award in 2024, he’s known for keeping the numbers in tune while ensuring the harmony of ethics and inclusivity doesn’t go offbeat. He’s also chaired CFO forums at CII and ASSOCHAM — because when Gandharv talks finance, the room listens (and probably takes notes).
Meanwhile, Kunal Malani — the man who turned Vision 2025 into reality — now moves to lead Motherson’s transformation initiatives towards Vision 2030. His résumé reads like a masterclass in corporate multitasking: 2.5x growth in five years, 20+ successful acquisitions, and a pristine “AAA” rating in India (and an “A” in Japan) — all while guiding the company through the pandemic storm with calm precision.
Adding to this leadership trio, the Group also welcomes Hemant Barge as Chief Procurement Officer. An engineer with over three decades at Tata Motors, Barge knows a thing or two about sourcing, manufacturing, and making sure the bolts of business never come loose.
Laksh Vaaman Sehgal, Vice Chairman, Motherson Group, summed up the corporate reshuffle with clarity and optimism:
“Kunal has built a strong foundation for the group’s financial discipline and growth, and now leads our transformation journey towards Vision 2030. Gandharv brings exceptional acumen to strengthen our financial leadership, while Hemant adds deep manufacturing expertise to the team. Together, they embody the next phase of Motherson’s evolution.”
