Blue Dart appoints R S Subramanian as MD, Balfour Manuel to step down

MUMBAI: Blue Dart Express has appointed R S Subramanian as its managing director, with the DHL Express India chief set to take charge from 30 November 2026, subject to shareholder and other applicable statutory approvals.

Subramanian, 61, will serve as managing director until 25 May 2030. He is currently senior vice president for South Asia and managing director of DHL Express India, besides being a member of the DHL Express Asia Pacific Management Board.

He has more than 30 years of experience across product-led and service industries, with expertise spanning business strategy, marketing, customer management and team development. He joined DHL Express India as head of sales and later became vice president of the South Asia cluster, overseeing operations across Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan.

Subramanian became managing director of DHL Express India in 2010. During his tenure, the company expanded its infrastructure, technology and people processes and strengthened its position in the Indian market.

Before joining DHL, he spent 14 years at Hindustan Unilever in sales, marketing and export management roles. He holds a degree in industrial engineering and a master’s in management from IIM Bangalore.

Subramanian has also served on the Blue Dart board since March 2019 and is currently a non-executive director. He is vice chairman of the Express Industry Council of India and serves on the Advisory Council of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, current managing director Balfour Manuel will step down at the close of business on 29 November 2026. The board and its Nomination and Remuneration Committee have approved a waiver of his six-month notice period.

Manuel will subsequently serve as senior strategic adviser to the managing director until 15 May 2027. He said his early superannuation was prompted by the need to enable a smooth succession and certain personal commitments.

Manuel has been associated with Blue Dart for 43 years and will also cease to be a director of its wholly owned subsidiary Blue Dart Aviation from 29 November.

The appointments and transition were approved at Blue Dart’s board meeting on 15 September.