Manish Syag named MD of Mars Pet Nutrition India

New Delhi: Mars Incorporated, which makes Pedigree, Whiskas and Sheba pet foods brands, has elevated Manish Syag as managing director of its pet nutrition business in India.

Syag, with over two decades of FMCG leadership experience, has held senior sales

leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and GSK Consumer Healthcare. He joined Mars in 2024 as chief sales officer and held senior roles across functions.


“India is at a defining moment for the pet food market, which is expected to grow into a US$ 2 billion category in a decade, evolving much as mainstream FMCG did in its early growth years, driven by access, awareness and trust,” Syag said.

He succeeds Salil Murthy, who has been elevated to the role of global VP, enterprise transformation, Mars Pet Nutrition. He will be based in London, Mars pet nutrition’s

global headquarters.

Mars Pet Nutrition, in India since 2002, set up its first manufacturing facility five years later.

The parent company’s other brands in chocolate and snacks include M&M’s, Snickers, Pringles and Cheez-It.

According to a recent Redseer Strategy Consultants report, India’s pet care market is projected to double to touch sales of $7 billion by 2028, up from $3.5 billion last year. The number of pets in Indian households rose to 32 million in 2024 from 26 million in 2019, the report added.

Large players in this space include Mars, Nestle, Heads Up For Tails and Drools. Reliance too entered the category late last year.