Puma has announced the appointment of Ramprasad Sridharan as managing director of Puma India, effective December 2025, marking a key leadership transition for the sportswear and lifestyle brand in one of its most strategic markets. Sridharan will report to Matthias Bäumer, chief commercial officer at Puma, and is expected to drive the brand’s growth trajectory across India’s expanding footwear and apparel sectors.
Sridharan brings over 25 years of experience spanning brand building, retail strategy, and commercial leadership across the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, he served as CEO and managing director of United Colors of Benetton India, where he oversaw a transformation agenda that included operational restructuring, retail expansion, and brand revitalization. His earlier leadership roles include senior positions at Clarks and Reebok India, where he focused on expanding market share and driving consumer engagement.
Bäumer highlighted Sridharan’s appointment as a strategic move to strengthen Puma’s retail footprint and accelerate its brand initiatives in India. “Ram is a highly experienced leader with a proven track record in the fashion and footwear industry,” he said. “His deep understanding of retail operations and consumer dynamics will be instrumental as Puma continues to expand in one of its key markets globally.”
Sridharan succeeds Karthik Balagopalan, who has stepped down to pursue other professional opportunities. Balagopalan’s two-decade-long tenure at Puma included leadership across multiple functions, contributing to the company’s positioning as a major player in India’s sports and lifestyle segment.
The appointment comes at a time when the Indian market is witnessing strong demand for sportswear and athleisure, with increasing penetration of organized retail, e-commerce, and experiential brand engagement. Industry analysts suggest that leadership stability and experienced retail management will be critical for global brands like Puma to capture growth in urban and emerging markets.
Under Sridharan, Puma India is expected to leverage his commercial acumen to expand retail operations, deepen digital initiatives, and strengthen the brand’s engagement with India’s evolving consumer base.
