M S Banga joins PE Fund CD&R

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After spending 33 years at Unilever, the global foods, home and personal care firm, M S Banga, popularly known as Vindi, has joined private equity fund Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).

CD&R is a nearly $100 billion firm, with operations in London and New York, has managed the investment of more than $12 billion in 46 US and European businesses representing a broad range of industries.

Vindi would be joining A G Lafley, former Chairman of Proctor and Gamble (P&G) and Jack Welch, former GE Chairman, both among others as special partners with CD&R.

Asked for reasons for joining a PE Fund, Banga told PTI "Private equity fund is driving global business growth. When capital is a major constraint, PE is the best source of capital."

Elaborating on his role in the new assignment, he said he would be working with other partners to look for good investment opportunities, screen them and decided which to pursue.

CD&R has been one of the finest firms with main focus on building businesses and improving quality of businesses. In other words it (CD&R) works for business transformation.

The reason for joining CD&R, according to Vindi, is "... all my life my experience is in business transformation. Secondly, the firm has got very talented corporate leaders like Lafley and Welch."

In his 33-year career at Unilever, Banga was responsible for a number of key business units and operational initiatives. As a member of the Unilever executive board, Banga was instrumental in helping to transform firm performance.

"Vindi has proven to be an inspired and energetic leader driving both growth and operational efficiency enhancements at a wide range of consumer products-related business, as well as effectively managing retail channels and large businesses in developing countries," Donald J Gogel, the CEO of CD&R, said.

Banga, a member of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Council of Trade and Industry since 2004, has also served as CMD of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Unilever's operating company in India.

HUL is the largest consumer products company and one of the most valuable companies on the Indian stock markets. PTI SKB