Abbott India: Kartik Rajendran to succeed Swati Dalal as MD

Rajendran, currently Regional Head for the Southeast Asia Cluster for Abbott’s pharmaceuticals business, will also assume the role of Divisional Vice President of Abbott India Limited starting June 1, 2025, and will become part of the Company’s Senior Management team.

Subject to shareholder and Central Government approval, Rajendran will serve as Managing Director for a five-year term. He will also assume responsibilities as the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company effective the said date.

Kartik Rajendran has over 20 years of management and leadership experience. His tenure at Abbott spans more than 8 years, during which he has held several key roles, including General Manager of Abbott’s Specialty Care business, a part of Abbott Healthcare Private Limited. Throughout his leadership at Abbott, Kartik has been instrumental in building high-growth businesses while significantly improving profitability. In Southeast Asia, he led a transformation across multiple countries, driving growth above the market average, and enhancing market position. As General Manager for Abbott's Specialty Care business in India, Kartik accelerated the performance trajectory of the business. Kartik’s leadership is characterized by a commitment to commercial excellence, strategic thinking, and a passion for improving patient outcomes.

He brings diverse experience, having served as Commercial Director for Abbott's Hospital Business, India Head for New Products, and Commercial Excellence Head at Abbott.

Prior to joining Abbott, Kartik had 16 years of experience across two different industries. He spent six years in McKinsey working on strategic improvement projects in India, Southeast Asia and China. He began his career in the shipping industry working in India, Hong Kong and Singapore, leading multicultural teams of different nationalities.

Kartik holds an MBA from the Indian School of Business and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Delhi University.