Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), India’s largest FMCG company, has announced the appointment of Niranjan Gupta as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The company’s board of directors approved the decision on 21 August 2025. Niranjan Gupta will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (designate) from 1 September 2025 and will officially assume full charge on 1 November 2025. His tenure will last till 31 October 2030.
Hindustan Unilever’s official statement
In a regulatory filing to the BSE, the FMCG major said:
“The Board of Directors of the Company, based on the recommendation of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee and the Audit Committee, has approved the appointment of Mr. Niranjan Gupta (DIN: 07806792) as Chief Financial Officer (Designate) with effect from September 1, 2025.”
This marks a significant leadership change at HUL, which continues to strengthen its financial and operational strategies in the competitive FMCG sector.
Who is Niranjan Gupta?
Niranjan Gupta is an industry veteran with nearly three decades of corporate experience across diverse sectors. His career has spanned leadership roles in finance, procurement, and executive management.
- Early career at HUL: Gupta began his professional journey as a Finance Manager at Hindustan Unilever in 1994, where he gained valuable insight into the FMCG ecosystem.
- Global role at Unilever: After 12 years, he became the chief procurement officer for South Asia and later the global finance director in London, where he oversaw multinational operations.
- Stint at Vedanta: Gupta then joined Vedanta as the chief financial officer of the aluminium and power business, where he managed complex financial strategies in the mining sector.
- Hero MotoCorp leadership: In 2017, he became the chief financial officer (CFO) of Hero MotoCorp and eventually rose to the position of chief executive officer (CEO), leading one of India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers.
- Ather Energy board member: For over four years, he has also served on the board of Ather Energy, a fast-growing electric two-wheeler company.
His return to Hindustan Unilever as CFO brings his career full circle, symbolizing both continuity and growth.
Educational Background of Niranjan Gupta
Niranjan Gupta has a strong academic foundation in finance and commerce:
- Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) – St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata
- Chartered Accountant (CA) – Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (1994)
- Cost Accountant (CMA) – Institute of Cost Accountants of India
- Company Secretary (CS) – Institute of Company Secretaries of India
This combination of qualifications has made him one of the most respected finance professionals in the Indian corporate world.
Why is Gupta’s Appointment Significant for HUL?
HUL is not only India’s leading FMCG company but also an important arm of Unilever’s global operations. With Gupta’s diverse experience in FMCG, mining, automobiles and electric vehicles, he brings a multi-sectoral perspective that can help HUL:
- Drive financial discipline and growth in a competitive market
- Strengthen supply chain and procurement strategies.
- Lead innovation in financial management at a time of changing consumer behaviour.
- Align Indian operations more effectively with Unilever’s global vision.
His proven leadership at Hero MotoCorp and international experience at Unilever positions him as a transformational CFO for HUL.
With the appointment of Niranjan Gupta as CFO, Hindustan Unilever is set to enter a new chapter of growth and financial stability. His appointment not only reflects HUL’s confidence in his leadership but also highlights the company’s focus on long-term strategic planning.
With Gupta assuming the role on November 1, 2025, industry experts and investors will be keenly watching how his global expertise and leadership skills shape the future of Hindustan Unilever.