Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, November 2025 – Chemspec Chemicals has appointed Thamarai Selvan as its new Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, marking a significant leadership addition to the organisation. With close to 27 years of deep expertise across the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals sectors, he brings a proven track record in API and intermediate manufacturing, large-scale operations, multi-site leadership, regulatory excellence, and high-performance transformations. His appointment strengthens Chemspec’s ambition to enhance operational excellence, expand global competitiveness, and accelerate its capabilities across personal care and pharmaceutical portfolios.
Before joining Chemspec Chemicals, Thamarai Selvan most recently served as Vice President – Operations at R L Fine Chem Pvt. Ltd., where he spent nearly seven years leading multi-site API and intermediate manufacturing. During this period, he scaled revenues from approximately ₹170 Cr to ₹368 Cr, sustained EBITA margins between 25–30%, commercialized over 30 APIs, executed major CAPEX projects worth ₹100 Cr, implemented backward integration of key starting materials, strengthened solvent recovery systems, and secured unqualified USFDA and PMDA audit closures. His tenure reflected his ability to drive financial performance, innovation, regulatory compliance, and sustainable operations simultaneously.
Prior to this, he spent nearly a decade at Wanbury Limited, where he served as Vice President – Works and led multi-site pharmaceutical API manufacturing with full P&L ownership. His leadership significantly expanded site revenues, doubled key product capacities, strengthened compliance across multiple USFDA and EU-GMP audits, achieved improvements in gross contribution, and earned him the prestigious Best Management Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for outstanding workforce practices and industrial relations.
Earlier in his journey, Thamarai Selvan spent around three years at Shasun, where he served as Senior Manager – Process Engineering, driving plant-wide optimization, process scale-up, solvent recovery improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives that delivered substantial operational efficiencies. His prior roles at Nicholas Piramal, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, SanMar Speciality Chemicals, and Gharda Chemicals further strengthened his foundation across technical services, pilot plant operations, R&D, process innovation, engineering design, and specialty chemical development—building a holistic base for his future leadership in API and chemical operations.
Across his earlier career spanning more than a decade, he worked in integral technical and engineering roles across Nicholas Piramal India Limited, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, SanMar Speciality Chemicals, and Gharda Chemicals Limited, gaining broad experience in technical execution, process troubleshooting, specialty chemical R&D, chemical process design, documentation, engineering innovation, pilot plant activities, and multi-disciplinary collaboration. These experiences laid the groundwork for his later achievements in large-scale operations, regulatory excellence, and organisational transformation.
About Chemspec Chemicals
Chemspec Chemicals is a leading global manufacturer of premium personal care ingredients and one of India’s largest producers of UV filters. Serving major FMCG and cosmetic brands worldwide, the company exports to more than 120 countries across North America, Europe, LATAM, APAC (including Japan), the Middle East, and Africa. Its advanced manufacturing facilities in Taloja and Mahad meet the highest global compliance standards, supported by certifications from USFDA and REACH.
The company’s portfolio includes UV filters for sunscreens, skincare vitamins, and ingredients for beauty and hair formulations, along with key pharmaceutical intermediates for sartans used in hypertension treatment. With a workforce of over 700 employees, Chemspec continues to build on its strong legacy as part of the Bhaichand Amoluk Consultancy Services/Vora Group, a diversified business group established in the 1950s with interests across specialty chemicals, insurance, and software.
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
Click Here to Join HR TODAY WhatsApp Channel
