Global FMCG giant Unilever has appointed India-born Harish Manwani as its Chief Operating Officer as part of a global reorganisation in the business structure of the company to drive future growth.
The company said it has made changes to its category and go-to-market structure to further support its growth plans, especially in fast developing businesses in the emerging markets.
“As part of changes, Harish Manwani will be appointed as Chief Operating Officer with effect from September 1 and will take responsibility for all markets in order to drive speed to market behind further simplification and efficiency,” Unilever said in a statement today.
Rotterdam-based Unilever is creating the post of COO with an eye on tapping the opportunities in the emerging markets. This is the first time that an Indian has risen to this level in the company to lead the business.
Previously, former HUL Chairpersons Mr T. Thomas, Mr Ashok Ganguly, Mr K.B. Dadiseth and Mr Vindi Banga have been members of the Unilever Executive Committee (UEx).
Mr Manwani (57) is currently the President, Asia Africa, Central and Eastern Europe. He had joined Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL), now Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), in 1976 and became a board member of HLL in 1995 as director responsible for Personal Products business.
In 2004, he was appointed the President and CEO of the Home and Personal Care North America business group, and in April, 2005, joined Unilever Executive as President, Asia Africa.
Mr Manwani is also the non-executive chairman of HUL and currently a member of the Executive Board of the Indian School of Business. He is married and has two daughters.
Mr Manwani’s rise to the top of a global firm follows the likes of Ms Indra Nooyi (Chairperson and CEO PepsiCo), Mr Vikram Pandit (CEO Citibank), Mr Anshu Jain (Head of Corporate & Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank) and Mr Rakesh Kapoor (CEO Reckitt Benckiser).
Unilever said as part of the business rejig, the category organisation will be broadened to four categories reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Polman.
Commenting on the new re-organisation, he said: “Unilever now has over half its turnover in the emerging markets, where over the last 10 years, growth has been close to double digits.
“We have an opportunity to better support this footprint of the business, to keep our strong momentum, with a more globally aligned country and category organisation.”
Following the implementation of the new structure, Mr Dave Lewis, currently President, Americas, will be appointed as President-Personal Care consisting of skin, deodorants, oral and hair.