Punjab Chemicals Appoints Devender Gupta as CFO Following Leadership Transition

Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection has appointed Devender Gupta as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective December 16, 2025, successfully completing the leadership transition that began with the resignation of former CFO Vikash Khanna in September.

Leadership Transition Completed

The appointment fills the vacancy created when Vikash Khanna tendered his resignation on September 12, 2025, citing personal commitments. The company had promptly initiated the search process for a suitable replacement, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining continuity in financial leadership.

Position Details:	Information
New CFO:	Devender Gupta
Appointment Date:	December 16, 2025
Previous CFO:	Vikash Khanna (resigned September 2025)
Reason for Change:	Appointment to fill vacancy

New CFO Profile and Experience

Devender Gupta, aged 53 years, brings extensive financial expertise to Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection. He is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds a B.Com degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce.

Professional Background:	Details
Total Experience:	28+ years
Educational Qualification:	FCA, B.Com (Shri Ram College)
Core Expertise:	Financial management, fund raising, M&A
Previous Companies:	Panacea Biotec, Jubilant Lifesciences, Weetee Fine Foods

Gupta's comprehensive experience spans multiple areas including fund raising, business collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, business restructuring, due diligence, financial appraisal, business valuations, strategic planning, and investor relations. His expertise also extends to ERP implementation and core financial functions such as budgeting, accounting, MIS, and audit.

Regulatory Compliance and Terms

The appointment was disclosed in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Gupta's appointment terms align with the Companies Act, 2013, and SEBI Listing Regulations. The company confirmed that there are no relationships between directors in connection with this appointment.

Strategic Impact

The successful completion of the CFO transition positions Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection to maintain operational continuity while benefiting from Gupta's extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning. His background in business collaborations and mergers & acquisitions could prove valuable for the company's future growth initiatives in the chemicals and crop protection sector.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
-1.38%	-0.60%	-5.09%	+4.77%	+15.97%	+63.65%

Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection held its 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 29, 2025, marking significant changes in leadership and reporting robust financial performance for the first quarter.

New Appointments

The company announced the appointment of two new Independent Directors at the AGM:

Mr. Kapil Kumar Mehan: Appointed for a five-year term from April 30, 2025 to April 29, 2030. Mr. Mehan brings extensive experience in agribusiness, fertilizers, and chemicals sectors, having served as Group CEO of Adventz Group and Managing Director of Coromandel International Limited. His expertise spans multiple industry verticals including fertilizers, crop protection products, seeds, and agri-input retail.
Mr. Suresh Arora: Also appointed for a five-year term from April 30, 2025 to April 29, 2030. Mr. Arora, a retired IPS officer, brings over four decades of administrative experience, having served as Director General of Police, Punjab and Chief Information Commissioner, Punjab. His background adds valuable insights into administration, management, and law enforcement to the board.

Additionally, the company appointed M/s P.S. Dua & Associates as Secretarial Auditors for a five-year term from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2030.

Q1 Financial Highlights

Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection reported strong financial results for Q1:

Metric	Value	YoY Growth
Revenue from operations	₹319.50 crore	31.90%
EBITDA	₹34.40 crore	24.50%
Profit After Tax (PAT)	₹20.60 crore	52.80%
PAT margin	6.50%	Up from 5.60% in Q1 previous year

The company attributed this growth to improved domestic and export sales, as well as increased demand. However, gross margins decreased to 33.10% due to changes in product mix.

Strategic Developments

Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection highlighted several strategic initiatives:

Signed three MOUs for export-oriented products, strengthening its global footprint.
Successfully commercialized a new agrochemical product (Herbicide) in Q1.
Four additional products are on track for commercialization over the next 2-3 quarters.
Expansion of research and development facilities is underway.
Plans for investment in a new manufacturing block and capacity debottlenecking over the next 6 quarters.

Future Outlook

The company's Chairman, Mr. Mukesh D. Patel, expressed optimism about Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection's future, stating, "As we move forward, we remain committed to creating sustainable value and reinforcing our position in the industry." The management team is focusing on building a strong foundation for the future, emphasizing safety, sustainability, and innovation.

With these new appointments and strong financial performance, Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection appears well-positioned for continued growth in the agrochemical and specialty chemicals sectors.