Blue Dart Express has announced a leadership transition. Managing Director, Mr. Balfour Manuel, will take early superannuation effective November 29, 2026, after serving as Managing Director. He will then transition to a Senior Strategic Advisor role until May 15, 2027. Concurrently, Mr. R.S. Subramanian has been appointed as the new Managing Director for a term from November 30, 2026 to May 25, 2030, subject to shareholder approval.
Leadership Transition at Blue Dart Express
Blue Dart Express has announced significant changes in its leadership structure following a Board of Directors meeting on September 15, 2026. The company’s current Managing Director, Mr. Balfour Manuel (DIN: 08416666), has requested early superannuation, effective the close of business hours on November 29, 2026. This move is intended to facilitate a smooth and seamless succession and is also due to personal commitments.
The Nomination & Remuneration Committee (NRC) and the Board have approved the waiver of Mr. Manuel’s standard six-month notice period. Following his superannuation from the Managing Director role, Mr. Manuel will assume the position of Senior Strategic Advisor to the Managing Director until May 15, 2027.
New Managing Director Appointed
Based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board has approved the appointment of Mr. R.S. Subramanian (DIN: 02946608) as the new Managing Director. His tenure is set to commence on November 30, 2026, and will extend until May 25, 2030. This appointment is contingent upon the necessary shareholder and statutory approvals.
Mr. R.S. Subramanian’s Profile
Mr. R.S. Subramanian, aged 61, is currently the SVP for South Asia and Managing Director of DHL Express India. He also serves as a member of the DHL Express Asia Pacific Management Board. With over 30 years of experience in product-led and service industries, he brings extensive expertise in business strategy, marketing, team development, and customer management.
His career at DHL Express India includes roles as Head of Sales and Vice President, South Asia Cluster, where he significantly contributed to restructuring and developing operations in several South Asian markets. Since 2010, as Managing Director of DHL Express India, he has driven substantial growth and positioned the company as a market leader. Prior to DHL, Mr. Subramanian spent 14 years at Hindustan Unilever Ltd., holding various positions in sales, marketing, and export management. He is a graduate in Industrial Engineering and holds a Master’s in Management from IIM Bangalore.
Mr. Subramanian is also the Vice Chairman of the Express Industry Council of India (EICI) and a member of the Advisory Council of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC). He was first appointed to the Board of Blue Dart Express Limited on March 27, 2019, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director. The company has confirmed that Mr. Subramanian has no inter-se relationship with other Directors and is not debarred from holding the office of Director.
Source: BSE
