Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced that Shailesh Jejurikar, currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO), will succeed Jon Moeller as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 1, 2026. This marks a historic moment as Jejurikar will be the first Indian to lead the American consumer goods giant in its 187-year history. Moeller, who has been CEO since 2021, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, leading the Board of Directors and advising the CEO on company matters. The Board has also nominated Jejurikar to stand for election as a Director at the annual shareholder meeting in October 2025.
Jejurikar, 58, has been with P&G since 1989, starting as an assistant brand manager in India after obtaining his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Mumbai University and attended Hyderabad Public School. Throughout his career, he has held various senior leadership roles across different categories, sectors, and regions, contributing to the growth of P&G's core businesses, including Global Fabric Care and Home Care. Since 2014, he has been a member of P&G's global leadership team.
Prior to his current role as COO, Jejurikar served as the CEO of P&G's Fabric & Home Care division, the company’s largest business sector, which includes well-known brands like Tide, Ariel, Downy, Gain, and Febreze. This division accounts for approximately one-third of P&G's total sales and net earnings. As COO, he has profit and loss responsibility for P&G's Enterprise Markets, encompassing Latin America, India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. He also leads Information Technology, Global Business Services, Sales, Market Operations, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Distribution, and New Business for the company.
Jejurikar's appointment comes at a time when P&G faces a challenging operating environment, including slowing sales, changing trade policies, and global economic headwinds. The company has been implementing restructuring plans, including job cuts and exiting certain product categories. Despite these challenges, the board expressed confidence in Jejurikar's ability to lead P&G, citing his integral role in the company's leadership team and his consistent delivery of strong results.
The announcement has been met with widespread praise, particularly from Indian business leaders. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, noted the personal connection, as Shailesh is the brother of Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd's Auto & Farm sector. Rajesh Jejurikar also expressed his pride in his brother's achievement.
Jejurikar's appointment reflects a growing trend of Indian-origin executives taking on leadership roles in global corporations. He joins a distinguished group of CEOs, including Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and others, who have risen to the top of major multinational companies. His journey from an assistant brand manager in India to the CEO of P&G is seen as an inspiring example of how education, dedication, and a global mindset can lead to world-class leadership.