Unilever chooses expat to head HLL

After nearly 50 years, an expatriate returns to the top job in FMCG major Hindustan Lever Ltd, which on Friday announced the appointment of Douglas Baillie as Managing Director and CEO with effect from March 2006.

Baillie, currently group vice president and heading Unilever AMET (Africa, Middle East and Turkey), will also be group vice president responsible for Unilever's business in South Asia, which includes Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The appointment of Baillie, announced by Unilever Asia and Africa president and HLL chairman Harish Manwani, was cleared by the company's board of directors at a meeting in Mumbai.

Stephen Turner was Lever's first expat chairman appointed in the 1950s.

HLL also decided that Arun Adhikari, currently managing director at HLL and looking after the home and personal care (HPC) division, will be moving over to Japan as chairman, Unilever Japan. The appointment will be effective from March 1, 2006.

M K Sharma will, however, continue with his current responsibilities as vice chairman, D Sundaram as director, (finance & IT), and S Ravindranath as the managing director, foods.

"The current national management structure of HLL will be extended to a broader management committee headed by Baillie," the company said in a statement.

Announcing the appointments, Manwani said: "India and Japan are key to our long-term sustained growth in the region. I believe that these two appointments will provide a renewed strategic thrust to these businesses. Both appointments reflect Unilever's commitment to enriching and widening international exposure of our leadership."

Commenting on Baillie, Manwani said he is an "experienced and an outstanding leader with a proven track record. He has successfully held several key assignments across both developing and developed markets. This will be of enormous value to HLL in the current business environment."

On the transfer of Adhikari, Manwani said his appointment as the chairman of Unilever, Japan was a significant step to further strengthen their business in one of the most developed markets of Asia.

"His experience in leading a large FMCG business in a complex market like India will be of critical importance in his new role," he said.

A statement from the company said that as chairman of HLL, Manwani will continue to lead the company's board "providing strategic direction and guidance to the business in India."

"HLL being the largest operating entity in the Asia and Africa region will remain a key focus area for him as the president of the region."

Baillie joined Unilever South Africa in 1978 and his career has spanned various sales and marketing positions. His various assignments include working as sales director in 1988, which was followed by a stint as marketing director.

He moved to London in 1994 to Lever Pond's personal products co-ordination where he became the regional liaison member before becoming vice president, home and personal care, Africa Business Group.

In March 2004, Douglas took over as president, Africa Regional Group and in July 2004 was appointed group vice president, AMET.