New Delhi, Delhi, India, November 6, 2025 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has appointed Sarma Chillara as Executive Director of Human Resources for India and South Asia.
In this role, Chillara will lead the company’s human resources function across India and South Asia, driving organizational capability, strengthening workforce capacity, and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture. Chillara succeeds Ajay Sharma, who has taken on a new role as Executive Director, HR, for Boeing Europe, Israel & Ukraine, and HR Business Partner for Global Engineering.
“Sarma’s diverse industry experience and strategic approach to people leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our operations in the region,” said Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India and South Asia. “His leadership and expertise will help shape a future-ready workforce and talent strategy that supports the evolving needs of India’s aerospace and defence sector.”
Boeing’s commitment to safety and quality is at the forefront of how the company operates, reinforced through renewed values and behaviors that emphasize accountability, transparency, and ownership. Chillara will play a pivotal role in advancing Boeing’s safety culture and these priorities across the organization, enabling employees to collaborate and accelerate capability development, operational excellence, and performance that supports customer success and industry growth.
Chillara brings nearly two decades of experience across the automotive, banking, consulting, and retail sectors. He joins Boeing from Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, where he spent over 13 years and served as a Member of the Board for Human Resources. He has a proven track record of delivering impactful people strategies that align with business transformation and growth.
Chillara holds an MBA in Human Resources from the Welingkar Institute of Management and has completed advanced executive programs at The Wharton School and the University of Michigan. He also contributes to the education ecosystem through advisory roles with Mahindra International School and Welingkar’s HR Advisory Board.
About Boeing in India
Boeing is focused on delivering value to Indian customers with advanced technologies and is committed to creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector – developing local suppliers and shaping academic and research collaborations with Indian institutions.
Boeing has strengthened its supply chain with more than 325 local companies in India and a joint venture to manufacture fuselages for Apache helicopters and vertical fin structures for the 737 family of airplanes. Annual sourcing from India stands at over $1.25 billion. Boeing currently employs close to 7,000 people in India, and more than 13,000 people work with its supply chain partners. Boeing’s employee efforts and country-wide engagement serve communities and citizenship programs to inspire change and make an impact on more than 1.5 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
