Unilever’s India unit appoints Rohit Jawa as chief executive officer, CEO

Hindustan Consumer Goods Corporation Unilever Ltd appointed Rohit Jawa as chief executive officer and chief executive officer on Friday, succeeding Sanjiv Mehta, who is retiring after nearly 10 years leading the company.

Jawa, currently Unilever’s chief transformation officer, will take over as MD and CEO from June 27, Unilever’s India unit said in an exchange filing.

The 56-year-old joined Hindustan Unilever as a management intern in 1988, taking over the manufacturing company dove Sunsilk soaps and shampoos come at a time when consumer goods companies are facing an inflationary challenge that has hit their bottom line.

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies – especially those that make personal care products – have struggled to attract sales from cash-strapped, rural consumers hardest hit by the COVID pandemic and inflation caused by the Russo-Ukrainian war.

According to market intelligence firm NielsenIQ, growth in India’s FMCG industry slowed in the quarter ending December 2022 as rural shoppers spent less on items like laundry detergent and shampoo. .

Last year, Unilever named the US, India and China as three of its key growth markets, highlighting its plans to grow in India amid growing internet usage in the country. and economic expansion.

HUL recently increased the royalty and service center fees it pays its majority owner Unilever to 3.45% of revenue over three years from 2.65% previously.