PRASHANT PERES TAKES CHARGE AS GENERAL MANAGER, INDIA – MARS SNACKING

Prashant Peres has been appointed General Manager, India – Mars Snacking, leading the combined Mars and Kellanova businesses. His role focuses on building a unified organisation, strengthening teams, shaping snacking categories and driving sustainable growth in India’s competitive and fast-evolving market.  

Prashant Peres has stepped into a pivotal new chapter of leadership as General Manager, India – Mars Snacking, taking charge of the combined Mars and Kellanova businesses at a moment of significant transformation for the global snacking industry. His appointment signals not just a change in leadership, but a broader strategic intent to build a unified, future-ready organisation in one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive consumer markets.

The integration of Mars and Kellanova in India represents a rare opportunity to bring together some of the most iconic brands in global snacking, alongside deep operational capabilities and a diverse talent base. For Peres, the role goes beyond managing portfolios or driving topline growth. It is about shaping a unique organisation that can respond to India’s scale, diversity and rapidly evolving consumer preferences, while staying rooted in the values that have defined Mars as a business for decades.

India’s snacking market is at an inflection point. Rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, changing lifestyles and a young demographic are reshaping when, why and how people snack. At the same time, the market remains intensely competitive, with strong domestic players, nimble regional brands and multinational companies all vying for share. In this context, Peres sees the combined Mars and Kellanova presence as uniquely positioned to compete, provided it operates with clarity of purpose and operational excellence.

Central to his vision is the belief that brands alone do not create sustainable advantage. While Mars and Kellanova bring with them a powerful lineup of trusted names, Peres emphasises that it is the people behind these brands who ultimately determine success. Building exceptional teams, fostering collaboration across legacy organisations and creating a shared culture are priorities that will define his early tenure. He has acknowledged the collective effort that made this integration possible, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him and the cooperation across teams that laid the groundwork for the next phase.

The challenge, however, is not insignificant. Integrating businesses with distinct histories, systems and ways of working requires thoughtful leadership and a long-term mindset. Peres is acutely aware that success will depend on aligning teams around common goals while respecting the strengths each organisation brings to the table. In an environment like India, where speed and local relevance are critical, decision-making must be both agile and informed by deep consumer insight.

Growth remains a central ambition, but Peres frames it in terms broader than market share or revenue targets. Shaping categories is a recurring theme in his outlook, reflecting an intent to influence how consumers think about snacking, from indulgence and convenience to nutrition and responsible consumption. This approach aligns with broader global shifts in the food industry, where companies are increasingly expected to balance commercial performance with social and environmental responsibility.

Creating enduring value for consumers, customers, employees and communities is another pillar of Peres’s leadership narrative. In practice, this means ensuring that products remain relevant and accessible, that retail and distribution partners see Mars Snacking as a long-term ally, and that employees find purpose and growth in their work. It also means recognising the company’s role in the wider ecosystem, from supporting local communities to contributing to more sustainable supply chains.

India’s complexity adds another layer to this mandate. Consumer needs can vary dramatically across regions, income groups and cultural contexts, demanding a nuanced approach to innovation and go-to-market strategies. Peres’s role will involve balancing global brand standards with local adaptation, ensuring that products resonate authentically with Indian consumers without losing the equity built over decades.

The combined Mars and Kellanova business also enters India at a time when the definition of leadership itself is evolving. Stakeholders increasingly expect transparency, empathy and long-term thinking from those at the helm. Peres’s public reflections on gratitude, trust and collaboration suggest an awareness of this shift. By acknowledging the collective effort behind his appointment, he positions himself not as a solitary decision-maker, but as a leader who values shared ownership and accountability.

As General Manager, India – Mars Snacking, Peres will be tasked with translating strategic intent into everyday execution. This includes strengthening distribution networks, accelerating innovation pipelines, investing in digital and data capabilities, and nurturing talent that can lead the organisation into its next phase. It also involves navigating external uncertainties, from economic fluctuations to regulatory changes, while maintaining focus on long-term objectives.

For Mars Snacking, India represents both scale and potential. It is a market where growth is not guaranteed by size alone, but earned through consistent performance and relevance. Peres’s leadership comes at a time when the company has the opportunity to redefine its presence, not just as a portfolio of brands, but as an integrated organisation with a clear identity and ambition.

Looking ahead, the success of this new chapter will likely be measured not only in financial results, but in the strength of the organisation Peres helps build. A truly unique organisation, as he describes it, would be one where strong brands are matched by strong culture, where deep capabilities are amplified by collaboration, and where growth is pursued with responsibility and purpose.

In expressing his enthusiasm for what lies ahead, Peres has framed his role as both a privilege and a responsibility. The trust placed in him carries with it expectations from global leadership, local teams and the market at large. How he steers the combined Mars and Kellanova businesses through this period of integration and expansion will shape the company’s trajectory in India for years to come.

Ultimately, Peres’s appointment reflects a broader confidence in India as a key growth engine for global snacking. It underscores the belief that with the right leadership, aligned teams and a commitment to excellence, the market’s complexity can be transformed into opportunity. As Mars Snacking embarks on this next phase under his leadership, the focus is firmly on building something enduring—an organisation capable of shaping categories, delighting consumers and creating value that extends well beyond the balance sheet.