Suresh Narayanan, Nestlé India’s outgoing CMD, reflects on his legacy as the company’s crisis navigator, recounting major challenges like the 2015 Maggi episode, his unexpected corporate journey, and his advice for successor Manish Tiwary as leadership transitions on August 1.
Suresh Narayanan, the outgoing Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, will officially step down on August 1, passing the reins to his successor Manish Tiwary. Narayanan’s legacy at the Indian arm of the global consumer goods major has been marked by resilience, particularly for navigating the company through one of the most defining crises in India’s FMCG sector—the 2015 Maggi episode.
His tenure has earned him a reputation as the organisation’s “crisis man,” not only due to the Maggi issue but also for steering leadership during volatile global periods, including economic downturns and political unrest. Narayanan, who joined the parent company over two decades ago, recalls being thrust into leadership roles in regions under significant stress. From managing Singapore operations during a financial crisis to handling Egypt during the Arab Spring, his trajectory exemplifies calm under pressure.
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Reflecting on the 2015 food safety challenge involving Maggi noodles in India, Narayanan describes it as a near “existential crisis” for the company. Yet, the turnaround was swift and historic. “We went from market leadership to withdrawal and back to the top spot in just three months,” he noted, attributing the recovery to collective efforts and consumer trust.
Even more notable is how Narayanan views crises—not as setbacks, but as pivotal opportunities for reform and growth.
Crises allow you to reform organisations faster than during normal times. You engage deeply with your people and your consumers, and you learn the importance of focus and clarity.”
Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India
He also opened up about an amusing yet telling moment during his career when a senior executive once joked about his constant brush with crises, asking him to consult an astrologer. Though lighthearted, the moment underscored just how frequently he was brought in during turbulent periods.
Narayanan, who initially aspired to become a bureaucrat, entered the corporate world almost by accident. After earning an economics degree and being encouraged to attend a management placement interview, he was selected and eventually chose a path that would shape the future of one of India’s top FMCG firms.
His advice to incoming CMD Manish Tiwary is to maintain constant vigilance. “The next crisis is always around the corner. It won’t announce itself, and you must ensure your organisation is always prepared,” he emphasized.
As India’s consumer market continues to evolve, Nestlé India will now look to Tiwary to uphold and expand the legacy built on resilience, trust, and deep market insight. With consumer behaviors shifting and regulatory expectations increasing, Narayanan’s model of responsive, grounded leadership will likely serve as a template moving forward.
For Nestlé India, this transition marks more than a change in leadership—it signals the continuation of a crisis-tempered, consumer-centric strategy in one of the company’s most dynamic markets.
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