Tata Motors Announces CHRO Transition as DP Nambiar Takes Over HR Leadership

Tata Motors has announced a key leadership transition in its human resources division with the transfer of Sitaram Kandi, the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer, to another organisation within the broader Tata Group. The transition will come into effect on May 28, while DP Nambiar will officially assume the role of CHRO from May 29, according to a regulatory filing issued by the automaker. The company has not disclosed the name of the Tata Group entity where Kandi will take up his next assignment.

Kandi joined Tata Motors in July 2019 as Vice President overseeing HR operations for the Passenger and Electric Vehicle businesses while also handling Employee Relations and Skill Development functions. Over the years, he progressed into senior leadership and was elevated to the CHRO role in April 2024. His tenure coincided with several transformational developments within the company, especially during a period of organisational restructuring and strategic business realignment.

Tata Motors Demerger and HR Transformation

One of the most significant developments during Kandi’s leadership period was the demerger plan approved by the board of Tata Motors in March 2024. The proposal aimed to separate the Commercial Vehicles business and related investments into one listed entity, while the Passenger Vehicle operations, including EV operations and Jaguar Land Rover, would operate under another listed company structure. The transition required large-scale organisational segregation involving employees, IT systems, accounting operations, vendor networks and administrative processes.

Kandi played a critical role in managing the human resource complexities associated with the separation process. The restructuring exercise involved coordinating multiple departments and ensuring business continuity while dividing operational functions into separate entities. The HR leadership team also had to oversee workforce alignment and organisational restructuring during one of the largest transformation exercises undertaken by the company in recent years.

Leadership Background of Sitaram Kandi

Before joining Tata Motors, Kandi held leadership positions at several multinational organisations. He most recently served at GE as Director HR for Global Supply Chain operations for nearly eight years. In that role, he managed end-to-end HR operations for supply chain businesses across South Asia, covering more than 20 manufacturing sites and sourcing organisations with over 6,000 employees and multi-billion-dollar operational output.

His earlier professional experience also included roles at Bosch Group, Mustafa Sultan Enterprises in Oman and Videocon Industries, where he started his career in 1994 as an HR executive. Academically, Kandi graduated from Osmania University with a focus on mathematics, economics and statistics. He later specialised in labour laws and human resources at Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies and also pursued Business Analysis studies at IIM Calcutta.

DP Nambiar to Lead HR Operations

DP Nambiar brings nearly three decades of experience in human resource leadership to Tata Motors. Prior to this appointment, he worked at TCS across several business units, corporate functions and international geographies, including leadership assignments in the USA and Europe. His recent responsibilities included leading HR operations for TCS geographies and corporate functions while partnering closely with senior management on organisational development and workforce strategy initiatives.

Nambiar was also involved in programmes such as “The TCS Way” cultural campaign aimed at engaging next-generation employees and future-proofing the organisation. His responsibilities further included ensuring compliance with labour regulations and supporting workforce restructuring initiatives. During his tenure, HR teams under his guidance led global recruitment drives, reskilling programmes and integration initiatives related to acquisitions and insourcing projects.

Key Leadership Experience of DP Nambiar

The transition comes at a crucial time for Tata Motors as the company continues to progress with its strategic initiatives, including the proposed acquisition of commercial vehicle operations from Iveco Group valued at €3.8 billion. Regulatory approvals related to the transaction are expected by the second quarter of FY27 after witnessing delays of a few months. With the demerger process nearing completion, Nambiar is expected to oversee workforce integration and organisational alignment linked to the Iveco transaction in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is replacing Sitaram Kandi as CHRO of Tata Motors?
DP Nambiar will replace Sitaram Kandi as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Tata Motors from May 29. Nambiar brings nearly three decades of HR leadership experience from TCS, where he handled global HR operations, organisational restructuring and workforce strategy initiatives. His experience spans multiple regions including the USA and Europe. At Tata Motors, he is expected to support ongoing business transformation projects, including workforce integration related to the Iveco commercial vehicle acquisition and organisational changes following the company’s demerger.

What role did Sitaram Kandi play at Tata Motors?
Sitaram Kandi played a major role in Tata Motors’ organisational transformation and HR restructuring initiatives during his tenure. After joining the company in 2019, he managed HR operations for passenger and electric vehicle businesses before becoming CHRO in 2024. He was significantly involved in the company’s demerger exercise, which required the separation of employees, systems, vendors and operational functions into two business entities. Kandi also supported workforce-related aspects linked to Tata Motors’ strategic business expansion and restructuring efforts.