The Hindu Business Line : Manwani to succeed Banga as non-executive chairman of HLL

MR Harish Manwani, President (Asia and Africa) of Unilever, is expected to take over as non-executive chairman of Hindustan Lever Ltd in place of Mr M.S. Banga, the current chairman.

The board of Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) at its meeting of April 29, decided to co-opt Mr Manwani as an additional director.

Mr Banga, who has been designated as President-Foods, Unilever, advised the Board that he will not seek re-election as a non-executive director at the AGM of the company scheduled for June 24, the company said in a news release.

The company also said that "it is the intention of the Board to elect Mr Harish Manwani as the non-executive chairman of HLL in succession to Mr Banga from the conclusion of the AGM."

The HLL's current national management, comprising Vice Chairman, Mr M.K. Sharma, Mr D. Sundaram (Director - Finance & IT), Mr Arun Adhikari (Managing Director - HPC) and Mr S. Ravindranath (Managing Director - Foods) continues unchanged.

"The National Management committee has responsibility for HLL's performance, and overall coordination of the divisional structure and corporate functions," HLL said.

"In these last years, we have strengthened the company by focusing on our 35 FMCG power brands. We have improved quality and affordability. We have also built our core functional capabilities and created a more agile and consumer connected company. Today we have a vibrant and energised team that is confident of growing with India," HLL's press release said quoting Mr Banga.

"The company has a long history of success with intrinsic strengths in brands, technology, distribution and an enormous talent pool. While there may be competitive challenges, HLL is strongly placed to overcome these and will continue to play a very significant role to serve the needs of the Indian consumers," Mr Manwani was quoted as saying.

Mr Manwani joined HLL in 1976. Following several sales and marketing assignments, he became divisional vice president - marketing. He joined the board of HLL in 1995, responsible for personal products business.

He moved to the UK as Senior Vice President for the Global hair care and oral care categories.

In 2001 he was appointed as President of Home and Personal Care (HPC) of Latin America Business Group. In 2004, he was appointed President and CEO of HPC North America Business Group and in 2005 he was elevated to the Unilever Executive as President - Asia and Africa.

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Manwani to succeed Banga as non-executive chairman of HLL