Sanjay Rao takes charge as Managing Director & CEO of Bata India
CE DESK 
Sanjay Rao has officially taken charge as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bata India, marking the start of a new leadership chapter for the footwear major as it navigates a fast-evolving retail and consumer landscape. Rao announced his new role on LinkedIn, confirming that he has begun his tenure at the company from August 2026.
Rao moves to Bata after more than four years at Nike, where he most recently served as Senior Director, Nike Retail – France & Benelux, leading retail operations across key European markets. His global career spans over 25 years across consumer goods, retail and marketing, with earlier stints at Procter & Gamble (P&G) and other multinational consumer brands, where he handled roles in sales, marketing, category management and general management across India, Southeast Asia and Europe.
At Bata India, Rao will lead the company’s retail expansion, brand strategy, product portfolio and digital transformation, as the brand continues to scale its Power, North Star and ZBM store formats and strengthen its presence in value and premium segments. He takes over from Gunjan Shah, whose five-year term as MD & CEO was scheduled to conclude on September 30, 2026; Rao was appointed to take over CEO responsibilities from August 24, 2026 and subsequently become managing director, subject to required approvals.
The appointment comes at a time when Bata India is focusing on store productivity, omnichannel growth, premiumisation and supply-chain efficiency, even as it faces intensifying competition from both domestic and international footwear brands. With his background in global sportswear retail at Nike and FMCG at P&G, Rao is expected to bring a more consumer-centric, data-led approach to merchandising, store experience and brand building, while leveraging Bata’s deep distribution reach and trust among Indian consumers.
