Bajaj Auto Appoints Rakesh Sharma as Joint Managing Director

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Source: Bajaj Auto Ltd

May 2026 : Bajaj Auto Ltd has officially announced a significant leadership transition, approving the appointment of Rakesh Sharma as the company’s new Joint Managing Director. Effective June 1, 2026, the move signals a strategic reinforcement of the company’s executive core. Sharma, a seasoned veteran within the Bajaj ranks, will serve in this expanded capacity until March 31, 2029.

In his new role, Sharma won’t just be managing business as usual. While maintaining his current commercial responsibilities, he will now take direct oversight of the Digital & IT and Legal functions. This integration reflects Bajaj’s push toward a more tech-driven, agile future.

Sharma’s ascent within Bajaj is a story of consistent delivery. Joining in 2007 as President of International Business, he spent over a decade transforming the company’s global footprint, scaling the international division seven-fold. By 2018, he transitioned to Chief Commercial Officer, followed by his appointment as Executive Director in 2019.

Over a span of 21 years, he rose through the ranks from Sales and Marketing roles in India to becoming the Managing Director of ICI Paints Vietnam and eventually CEO of South East Asia. His career is anchored by an elite academic background, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad, an Advanced Management Programme from University of Michigan and a B.Com (Hons) from the University of Delhi.