Ajay Sardana Joins Nayara Energy As President & Head Of Corporate Affairs
Nayara Energy Ltd., has appointed Ajay Sardana as its new President & Head of Corporate Affairs, marking a significant leadership addition to the company’s top management. Sardana who carries over three decades of rich experience across Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the Aditya Birla Group (Grasim), Vardhaman Textiles and Indorama, steps into this role at a critical juncture for the company.
Having served as President & Head of PETCHEM Industry Affairs at RIL, Sardana has also held leadership positions at Grasim, Indorama, and others. He was a director at Sintex Yarns and BVM and has previously chaired the petrochemical industry’s committees at FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and the ICC. Earlier in 2024, he led the ICC National Expert Committee on Petrochemical Initiatives, promoting sustainability and innovation across the industry.
Expressing his gratitude to Nayara’s leadership team, Sardana thanked Executive Chairman Prasad K. Panicker, CPO Richa Dubey, and the HR team including Prashant Gatkal and Geeta Nair, for their warm welcome. He also acknowledged his colleagues at RIL for organizing a memorable farewell.
Nayara Energy, headquartered in Mumbai and jointly owned by Rosneft and various private entities, operates India’s second-largest single-site refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat. The company is navigating operational challenges following EU sanctions announced in July 2025, which restrict its exports to Europe and impose limits on banking, insurance, and shipping interactions
The timing of Sardana’s appointment amid heightened geopolitical and regulatory challenges highlights the strategic importance of robust corporate affairs leadership for Nayara Energy.
