New Delhi: In a decisive and unanimous mandate, Shri Motilal Sethi has been elected as the Northern Regional Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) at the first NRC meeting held in New Delhi on 17th March,2026. He will serve a two-year term spanning FY 2026–27 to 2027–28.

Sethi steps into the role at a time when India’s leather and footwear sector is navigating both opportunity and transition, balancing export growth ambitions with evolving global compliance and sustainability benchmarks. His appointment signals continuity with a forward-looking approach, as the Northern Region remains a critical hub for manufacturing, sourcing and trade.

As Chairman, Sethi will not only lead the Northern Regional Committee (NRC) but also represent the region in the CLE’s Committee of Administration (COA). Supporting him is a diverse and experienced panel of industry leaders:

• Shri Sanjay Leekha – Leather Article Panel

• Shri Puran Chand Dawar – Leather Footwear Panel

• Shri Gopal Gupta – Leather Footwear Panel

• Shri Jagat Handa – Leather Clothing Panel

• Shri Rahul Chaudhary – Non-Leather Footwear Panel

• Mr. Yogesh Vaid – Saddlery & Harness Panel

• Mr. A.K. Sondhi – Finished Leather Panel

• Mr. Vipan Seth – Footwear Component Panel

• Mr. Ketan Vyas – Component & Allied Products Panel

Together, the newly constituted COA team reflects a balanced representation across product categories leather, non-leather, components, and allied sectors underscoring CLE’s integrated approach to industry development.

Industry observers note that the coming term will be pivotal. With global buyers increasingly looking at India as a reliable sourcing alternative, leadership at the regional level will play a crucial role in strengthening supply chains, enhancing compliance frameworks and unlocking export potential.