Kedar Lele, CEO and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd (UBL) one of the largest ‘fast moving consumer goods’ (FMCG) Company in the country, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the company, reports UNB.
Lele succeeds Kamran Bakar, who served as Chairman of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd since 2012.
Lele has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unilever Bangladesh Limited.
The decision came at the 180th meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 25, said a media release on Wednesday.
Lele joined Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) on 1st June 2017 and subsequently was appointed as its Managing Director (MD) on 1st January 2018. He will continue to be both the Chairman and Managing Director of the company.
He brings with him, about 20 years of professional experience spanning Advertising, Internet Business and FMCG Sales & Marketing, over 15 of which he spent at Unilever.
Lele is also the Vice President of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
His career at Unilever began in 2004 with Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) with Ice-Creams, followed by a stint as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Kimberly Clark Lever Limited (JV).
He then led the Eastern Region and Modern trade business creating high growth momentum; and was instrumental in leading HUL’s foray into e-commerce (2014-17) before arriving in Bangladesh as COO.
He was part of the Economic Times “40 under 40” list of hottest business leaders in 2015. He has been an active sponsor of developing young managers at HUL.
His vision for Unilever Bangladesh is to build one of the most inspiring Unilever Businesses while making a difference to the country and communities.
This visionary is passionate about people, purpose and growth.
UBL has one of the most enviable records in the industry and the Unilever world.
During Lele’s period in Bangladesh not only has the business grown in size and competitiveness, but it has also achieved world class standards in various facets of the business including safety, environment, productivity and quality.
UBL has developed distinctive capabilities in various functional areas which are being emulated by various companies across the country and in the Unilever world.
Lele is also serving as the Vice President at the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), the apex chamber of multinational companies doing business in Bangladesh.
Under his leadership Unilever in Bangladesh has recently acquired GSK Bangladesh 82% ownership and successfully changes its name to ‘Unilever Consumer Care Limited’.