Sandeep Kataria, the first Indian to be appointed Global CEO of Bata Corporation, has stepped down from the top job after a five-year run that saw the 131-year-old footwear giant navigate a significant phase of global consolidation and consumer reinvention.
Kataria will continue with the company for the next six months to ensure a smooth transition. Bata has not yet named his successor, but a global search process is currently underway.
A veteran of the consumer industry, Sandeep Kataria Steps Down as Global CEO of Bata Corporation Kataria’s career spans leadership roles across Unilever, Yum! Brands, and Vodafone.
He joined Bata India as CEO in 2017, where he is credited with revitalizing the brand’s mass appeal and scaling its operations with a younger, digital-first consumer base. He was elevated to the global CEO role in 2020, becoming the first Indian to head the Switzerland-headquartered multinational.
Under his global leadership, Bata operated over 5,800 stores in 70 countries, produced 180 million pairs of footwear annually, and employed over 35,000 people. The group also expanded its portfolio of brands including Power, North Star, Hush Puppies, Marie Claire, and Bubblegummers.
During his tenure at Bata India, the company witnessed strong financial performance. Between FY18 and FY20, revenue increased from ₹2,636 crore to ₹3,053 crore, while net profit surged 46% to ₹327 crore. Kataria led high-impact campaigns such as “Surprisingly Bata,” revamped store experiences, and accelerated e-commerce adoption across urban and tier-II markets.
Prior to Bata, Kataria spent 17 years at Unilever, held senior roles at Yum! Brands overseeing KFC and Pizza Hut India, and later led the consumer business at Vodafone India. Industry watchers note that Kataria’s cross-sector adaptability and consumer-centric thinking were central to his success across industries — from personal care and telecom to QSR and footwear.
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A graduate of IIT Delhi and a gold medallist from XLRI Jamshedpur, Kataria is widely regarded as one of India’s most versatile corporate leaders. While details about his next move remain undisclosed, industry sources suggest he will continue to remain active in advisory or leadership roles within the consumer and retail sectors.
The company has acknowledged Kataria’s contributions in a statement and is expected to announce further leadership changes in the coming quarter.
