MATHEW ABRAHAM TAKES CHARGE AS CMD OF KANAN DEVAN, AMIR ABBAS KHAN NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company has appointed K. Mathew Abraham as Chairman and Managing Director and named Amir Abbas Khan as Executive Director and CEO. The leadership changes come as the Tata Consumer Products associate company intensifies its focus on speciality teas, sustainability, retail expansion and operational modernisation.

South India’s tea industry is witnessing a significant leadership transition as Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited (KDHP), one of the country’s largest plantation enterprises and an associate company of Tata Consumer Products Limited, announced the appointment of K. Mathew Abraham as its new Chairman and Managing Director.

The appointment marks the continuation of a leadership journey that has already transformed the company’s operational and environmental profile over the past decade. Abraham, who has served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer since 2015, has overseen an ambitious phase of modernisation at KDHP, balancing traditional plantation operations with evolving consumer expectations and sustainability demands.

The company’s board also named Amir Abbas Khan as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, signalling a wider leadership restructuring designed to support the company’s next phase of growth.

Abraham’s elevation comes at a time when India’s tea sector is under pressure to reinvent itself amid shifting consumption patterns, rising production costs and growing global attention to sustainability standards. During his tenure, KDHP emerged as the first large plantation company in India to secure both Carbon Neutral and Climate Positive certification, achievements that positioned the company as a sustainability leader within the plantation industry.

Industry observers say the recognition has helped strengthen KDHP’s reputation beyond its tea estates in Kerala’s hill regions, allowing it to align with increasingly environmentally conscious domestic and international buyers.

Apart from environmental initiatives, Abraham also steered KDHP towards a stronger consumer-facing identity. Under his leadership, the company expanded its retail presence through the Ripple Tea brand and the Ripple Tea – Chai Bazaar retail store format, reflecting a broader shift within India’s tea industry towards value-added products and direct consumer engagement.

Rather than relying solely on bulk tea production, plantation companies are increasingly seeking higher margins through speciality teas, branded offerings and experiential retail formats. KDHP’s investments in branded retail mirror this transition and underline the growing importance of storytelling, provenance and premiumisation in the tea business.

Speaking after the announcement, Abraham said the company would continue focusing on operational excellence and higher-value tea segments while strengthening its retail footprint.

“As KDHP enters its next phase of growth, our priority will be to accelerate value creation through operational excellence, enhanced value addition through specialty teas, expansion of our B2C footprint through our retail brands, Ripple Tea and Chai Bazaar store,” he said.

The appointment of Khan as Executive Director and CEO is also being viewed as a move towards ensuring continuity in operational leadership. Khan brings nearly three decades of experience across plantation management, tea manufacturing, marketing and international sales.

Over the years, he has held several leadership roles within KDHP and most recently served as Vice President for Tea Manufacture. Before that, he spent more than a decade leading the company’s marketing and sales operations, giving him extensive exposure to both production and consumer markets.

The dual appointments highlight KDHP’s attempt to balance legacy plantation expertise with modern consumer-driven strategies. The company’s evolution reflects wider changes within India’s tea sector, where plantation firms are increasingly expected to function not merely as commodity producers but as integrated brands capable of competing in premium retail spaces.

KDHP’s association with the Tata ecosystem has also contributed to its visibility in the market. Abraham additionally serves as Vice Chairman of Tata Coffee Limited and Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited, linking the company to a broader network of plantation and beverage businesses.

The latest leadership changes come as India’s tea industry faces both opportunity and uncertainty. While demand for speciality and artisanal teas continues to grow, producers are also confronting climate-related disruptions, labour challenges and evolving global trade conditions. Sustainability certifications, traceability and premium branding are becoming increasingly important differentiators in international markets.

Against this backdrop, KDHP’s strategy appears focused on positioning itself not only as a plantation company but as a modern beverage brand rooted in sustainability and regional heritage. The emphasis on speciality teas and consumer retail suggests the company is looking to strengthen its presence among younger and urban consumers who are driving demand for premium tea experiences.

For Kerala’s plantation economy, the appointments also carry symbolic significance. KDHP remains one of the region’s most prominent plantation enterprises, with deep historical links to the tea-growing landscape of Munnar and the surrounding high ranges. Its future direction is therefore closely watched by industry stakeholders, workers and regional businesses alike.

With Abraham now taking charge as Chairman and Managing Director and Khan stepping into the role of Executive Director and CEO, the company is seeking to project continuity while preparing for a more diversified and consumer-oriented future in the competitive global tea market.