Eicher Motors announces board reshuffle; Siddhartha Lal named executive chairman

Eicher Motors Limited (EML) on Monday announced key changes to its board, appointing Siddhartha Lal as the Executive Chairman following the retirement of long-serving Chairman S. Sandilya.

Vinod Aggarwal has been named Vice Chairman (Non-Executive) of EML, while B. Govindarajan has been appointed as the new Managing Director. Aggarwal will continue to serve as the MD and CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles, EML's joint venture with the Volvo Group, and Govindarajan will retain his role as CEO of Royal Enfield, Eicher's flagship motorcycle brand.

The company also announced the appointment of Ira Gupta and Arun Vasu as Independent Directors. Gupta's appointment is effective February 10, while other changes will take effect from February 13.

Independent Director Manvi Sinha will retire from the board on February 12 after completing her tenure.

Expressing gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Siddhartha Lal said, "Mr. Sandilya has been instrumental in shaping Eicher Motors into what it is today. Under his leadership, Eicher has become a leading commercial vehicle player in India and Royal Enfield has achieved global leadership in mid-size motorcycles."

"I look forward to shaping EML’s long-term vision, guiding strategic direction, and mentoring the next generation of leaders."

Govindarajan, who has been with Eicher for nearly three decades, said, “I am truly honoured and excited to take on this new role and I am looking forward to steering the company’s growth momentum with continued support from my team.”

The reconstituted Board of Directors will include Siddhartha Lal (Executive Chairman), Vinod Aggarwal (Vice Chairman, Non-Executive), B. Govindarajan (Managing Director), and Independent Directors Inder Mohan Singh, S. Madhavan, Tejpreet S. Chopra, Arun Vasu, and Ira Gupta.

Gupta, a leadership coach and former CHRO at Microsoft India and South Asia, brings extensive HR experience across sectors, while Vasu, Chairman and MD of TT Group, is known for his entrepreneurial ventures in foreign exchange, logistics, and hospitality.

Eicher Motors, known for its Royal Enfield motorcycles, is a major player in the global mid-size motorcycle market and holds a strong position in the Indian commercial vehicle segment through its VE Commercial Vehicles joint venture.