ITC reshuffles top managers

Sandeep Kaul takes over from Hemant Malik as chief executive of the tobacco division while, the latter leads FMCG marketing & distribution

ITC has reshuffled some of its senior managerial staff in the cigarettes, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), distribution and personal care divisions.

Sandeep Kaul, who led the personal care division as its chief executive took charge from Hemant Malik as CE of the tobacco division. The latter is to lead FMCG marketing and distribution. The personal care division is now being led by Sameer Satpathy, while the president of the FMCG vertical, B Sumant, has been inducted in the corporate management committee. These come at a time when the term of the company's chairman, Y C Deveshwar, ends next year.  In 2011, the cigarettes to FMCG major had announced an extension of his term for another five years effective 2012, making him the longest serving in that post.  

A mechanical engineer from Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, and MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Kaul joined ITC in the marketing function of the tobacco division in 1990. Between 1990 and 1999, he handled a variety of assignments in both sales and brand management. Between 1999 and 2001, he headed the market research group and became associated with ITC’s new FMCG initiatives in 2001. He thereafter focused on the personal care business and took over as its chief executive in 2007. Satpathy, the new recruit in senior management, joined the company last December as chief operating officer of the personal care products business.

While he began his career with Berger Paints in 1995, he moved over to Marico in 2002, having more than two decades of experience in marketing, innovation, sales & operations, building brands and market leadership, across key categories such as haircare, skincare, foods, paints and fabric care.

Before joining ITC, he was leading the marketing function globally for Marico.

Prior to his appointment as the divisional chief executive of ITC's FMCG trade marketing and distribution business, Malik was the divisional chief executive of the India tobacco division.

Before that, he was chief operating officer of the cigarette brands and supply chain of the same division. He joined ITC in 1989 after completing an MBA from IIM, Kolkata, and worked in the tobacco, lifestyle retailing and foods divisions.