JK Paper Appoints Former Bata India CEO Gunjan Shah as President
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- October 14, 2026
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- 12 minutes read
One of the country’s largest manufacturers of paper and packaging products has announced a notable change at the top of its leadership structure. The management board at JK Paper has appointed Gunjan Shah as President (Paper), adding an experienced consumer-industry executive to the company’s senior leadership team.
The appointment marks a notable moment for gunjan shah jk paper watchers, since Shah steps into the role with a career built almost entirely outside the paper industry. He will now head the company’s core paper division, bringing deep commercial and retail expertise that leadership hopes will sharpen market execution.
The move comes shortly after Shah, the former Bata CEO, completed a successful five-year run as Managing Director & CEO of footwear major Bata India. This tenure concluded on September 30, 2026.
About the New Executive
Gunjan Shah has worked in various industries including FMCG, Retail, Telecommunications and Consumer Durables.
Before taking over as the new President of JK paper, he was the Managing Director & CEO of Bata India for over five years from 2021, expanding commercial reach and operational scale.
Before Bata India, Shah held senior leadership roles such as Chief Commercial Officer at Britannia Industries. He has also been a senior executive with Asian Paints.
Shah has a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
Previous Leadership and Change in Leadership
The change is evident in the restructuring of the corporation as a result of growth at JK Paper. The change is a result of recent changes in the strategy in the market as the bata ceo resigns his previous job to become the head of industrial manufacturing.
Company Overview
The organization traces its roots back to 1938, when it was founded as Straw Products Ltd. Over the decades it has grown into a pioneer of the Indian paper, paperboard, and eco-friendly packaging industry.
Its manufacturing footprint includes:
- Unit JKPM, Rayagada, Odisha: an integrated pulp and paper mill.
- Unit CPM, Songadh, Gujarat: an integrated pulp and paper mill.
- Sirpur Paper Mills, Kagaznagar, Telangana: an integrated pulp and paper mill operated by a subsidiary.
Together, these plants produce high-quality office and documentation paper, coated papers, and premium packaging boards.
The business continues to pursue a multi-pronged expansion strategy, with a focus on consolidating regional packaging acquisitions and strengthening its raw material supply chains to keep pace with rising national demand. This appointment fits squarely within that plan, reinforcing a push toward operational excellence, deeper retail penetration, and sustained manufacturing-driven market growth exactly the kind of move that tends to dominate jk paper latest updates coverage.
Alignment of Strategic Leadership
The key executive change brings a significant milestone in the history of JK Paper Company, which will significantly improve the company’s business positioning and its expansion plans.
With the combination of strong leadership experience gained from work in consumer retail, Marketing, and high-volume supply chain management, the company will introduce new operating concepts to its main areas of operation – paper and packaging business.
In light of the digital transformation of many traditional manufacturing industries, this change of leadership will be instrumental for JK Paper Company in order to gain an unmatched competitive advantage.
Executive Snapshot
Particulars | Details |
Name | Gunjan Shah |
New Designation | President – Paper, JK Paper |
Previous Designation | Managing Director & CEO, Bata India |
Earlier Experience | Chief Commercial Officer, Britannia Industries; senior executive, Asian Paints |
Key Responsibilities | Core paper business, commercial execution |
Transition Completed | September 30, 2026 (Bata India) |
Conclusion
The appointment of JK paper new president, Gunjan Shah, underscores JK Paper’s leadership’s ambition to drive operational strategy and market distribution.
Considering that Shah is experienced in FMCG and retail operations, it means that JK Paper is well-placed to enhance its operational activities within a changing market environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
1. Who has been named the new President Paper at JK Paper?
Gunjan Shah, who is the former MD & CEO of Bata India, has been named President of Paper at JK Paper.
2. What is the academic qualification of Gunjan Shah?
Gunjan Shah has a B.Tech from VJTI Mumbai and a PGDM from IIM Calcutta.
3. With which major firms did Gunjan Shah work in the past?
Gunjan Shah has held positions of executive leadership at Bata India, Britannia Industries, and Asian Paints.
4. What is the latest news about JK Paper latest updates?
In light of JK paper latest updates, the firm has recently consolidated its packaging subsidiaries and recruited top leaders for its paper business unit.

