- India's Godrej Consumer Products has appointed finance chief Aasif Malbari as CEO and managing director for a five-year term after Sudhir Sitapati resigned just months after being reappointed to the roles.
- Malbari, who joined Godrej as CFO in 2023, has more than three decades of experience across the consumer goods and automotive sectors, including leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever and Tata Motors. He will take over from Sitapati on Wednesday, and Vishal Kedia was named interim CFO.
- The leadership transition comes as the consumer goods major, which makes Goodknight mosquito repellents and Cinthol soaps, looks to navigate uneven demand and improve margins as rising input costs squeeze the sector.
- Executive Chairperson Nisaba Godrej said on an analyst call that Godrej Consumer needs greater "execution rigour" and a "step up in execution, delivering results", and that management needed to move faster in areas including online sales and digital marketing.
- Godrej Consumer said it plans to have separate CEOs for India and international operations.
Godrej Consumer Products has appointed Aasif Malbari as CEO and managing director for a five-year term, following the unexpected resignation of Sudhir Sitapati. This leadership change comes just months after Sitapati's reappointment, which analysts described as "sudden".1234
The company, known for products like Goodknight mosquito repellents and Cinthol soaps, is facing challenges due to rising input costs and uneven demand in the consumer goods sector. Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson, emphasized the need for greater "execution rigour" to improve results, particularly in online sales and digital marketing.567
Malbari, who joined Godrej as CFO in 2023, brings over 30 years of experience from leading roles at Hindustan Unilever and Tata Motors. His elevation reflects a strategic focus on overseeing significant investments and ensuring effective capital deployment, according to consumer consultant Akshay D'Souza.
The company also plans to appoint separate CEOs for its India and international operations, indicating a shift in its management structure aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. Brokerage Nomura noted that Sitapati's earlier tenure had initiated a transformation in the company, setting it up for a positive operational impact.8
Malbari will officially take over from Sitapati on Wednesday, with Vishal Kedia named as interim CFO during this transition.
“Malbari, who joined Godrej as CFO in 2023, brings over three decades of experience from Hindustan Unilever and Tata Motors. Executive Chairperson Nisaba Godrej called for greater 'execution rigour' and faster moves in online sales and digital marketing, as the company plans separate CEOs for India and international operations.”
