Hindustan Unilever to split food and refreshments business

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) will split its foods and refreshments (F&R) business into two separate units in line with its global category structure.

The company also announced appointment of Sudhir Sitapati as Executive Director, Refreshments.

"The Foods and Refreshments (F&R) business will now be organised into two separate businesses of Foods and Refreshments. Sudhir Sitapati currently regional category vice-president, refreshments (South Asia & Africa), Unilever, will be inducted into the management committee of HUL as Executive Director, Refreshments," HUL said in a filing to the BSE and NSE.

It said: "Geetu Verma, currently executive director (Foods & Refreshments) will continue to look after the Foods business. She will be designated as executive director (foods) and will continue as a member of the management committee of HUL."

The company said the change is in alignment with the category structure of Unilever globally.

"Both the businesses have registered strong growth under Geetu's able leadership and have now reached significant scale. The reorganisation into two separate businesses will enable sharper focus and help to fully leverage the growth opportunities in line with HUL's ambitions," it said.