Hindustan Unilever Appoints Ex-Hero MotoCorp Boss Niranjan as CFO
In a significant move, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced the appointment of Niranjan Gupta as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Gupta, who is the former CEO of Hero MotoCorp, will join the HUL Board from November 1, 2025, the company announced on Thursday. He will be succeeding Ritesh Tiwari, who will move to a global role at parent Unilever.
Gupta brings with him a wealth of experience in the finance sector, having spent over two decades in various leadership roles. Prior to his stint at Hero MotoCorp, he worked with companies like ACC Limited, Lafarge Cement, and GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. His appointment is seen as a strategic move by HUL to strengthen its financial leadership and navigate the complexities of the current business environment.
Tiwari, who has been the CFO of HUL since 2015, will be moving to a global role at parent Unilever, where he will be responsible for overseeing the company’s financial operations across geographies. Under his leadership, HUL has made significant strides in terms of financial performance, including a consistent track record of delivering strong earnings growth and improving return on equity.
Gupta’s appointment is also seen as a sign of continuity and stability at HUL, which has been a pioneer in the Indian consumer goods sector. The company has a diverse portfolio of brands, including Hindustan Lever, Lakmé, Sunsilk, and Pepsodent, among others. With Gupta at the helm, HUL is expected to continue to focus on its core strengths of innovation, sustainability, and customer-centricity.
The appointment of Gupta as CFO comes at a time when HUL is facing significant challenges in the Indian market. The company has been grappling with the impact of demonetization, GST, and other regulatory changes, which have affected consumer spending and demand. However, Gupta’s experience in navigating complex business environments and his track record of driving financial performance make him an attractive candidate to lead the company’s financial operations.
In a statement, Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of HUL, said, “We are delighted to welcome Niranjan Gupta to the HUL family. His extensive experience in finance and leadership roles will be invaluable in driving our financial performance and strategy. We are grateful to Ritesh Tiwari for his contributions to HUL’s success and wish him the best in his new role at Unilever.”
Gupta’s appointment is subject to regulatory approvals, and he is expected to join the HUL Board on November 1, 2025.
