Tata Steel elevates Chandan Arunachalam to marketing head

MUMBAI: Tata Steel has elevated Chandan Arunachalam as head of marketing for its Retail and Special Steel businesses, effective February 2026. Based in Mumbai, he will shape the company’s marketing strategy with a sharp focus on brand strength, demand creation, smarter channels and closer ties with distributors, dealers and customers across markets.

The appointment caps a fast rising career at Tata Steel, where Arunachalam has built a reputation for taking on tough assignments and delivering at pace. From stints across the East and West to leading the South as regional sales manager, his journey has covered the length and breadth of the country, and a wide spectrum of the steel business.

In his most recent role as regional sales manager for South India, Arunachalam headed a 0.2 million tonne operation valued at around $200 million. Promoted on a fast track, he was among the youngest leaders to take on a head role, combining people management with high stakes negotiations and market expansion.

Sharing the news, he said he was excited by the new challenge and grateful for the opportunities Tata Steel has offered him so far. Having moved from individual contributor roles to managing large teams and regions, he described the elevation as a natural and energising next step.

An alumnus of IIM Ranchi with a background in mechanical engineering from SRM IST Chennai, Arunachalam joined Tata Steel after an early internship with the company. Over the years, he has blended analytical rigour with on ground sales experience, and even found time to co-found a social initiative focused on community upliftment.

With this elevation, Tata Steel is placing a big bet on a leader who understands both markets and people, and who brings youthful energy to one of its most visible businesses.