HUL effects changes in management

Pradeep Banerjee, currently vice-president, supply chain management-packaging, Unilever, will take over as executive director, supply chain, at Hindustan Unilever, on February 1. He replaces Dhaval Buch, who takes up an international posting as senior vice-president, strategic projects-supply chain, Unilever Global, effective March 1.

Buch will report to Pier Luigi Sigismondi, chief supply chain officer, Unilever, and will be part of the core supply chain leadership team at the company. Banerjee, on the other hand, makes his way home after doing stints in Singapore and the United Kingdom.

These cross-country movements have been part of the Unilever culture for long. Buch, for instance, joins the ranks of some 140 executives from Hindustan Unilever who have been posted internationally in the last few years. This represents about 10 per cent of the Indian arm’s managerial strength, a company spokesperson said.

There are some like Harish Manwani, chairman, Hindustan Unilever, whose talent has been used internationally by the consumer goods company even as he holds an Indian position. Manwani is on the executive team of Unilever globally. Manvinder Singh (‘Vindi’) Banga, former chairman, Hindustan Unilever, is also on this team.

Some other key personnel to be offered international postings include Sanjiv Kakkar, former executive director, Hindustan Unilever, and Sanjay Dube, former executive director, sales & customer development, who are now executive vice-presidents, Russia & Ukraine, and Central & Eastern Europe, respectively.