Sanjay Dube moves to Unilever as chairman for Poland, the Baltics

Sanjay Dube, Hindustan Lever’s executive director (sales and con-sumer development), is moving to head Unilever’s business in the Po-land region. He will join Unilever as the chairman for Poland and the Baltics.

When contacted, an HLL spokesperson confirmed the develop-ment. It is, however, not yet clear as to who would replace Mr Dube. The company declined to comment on his replacement. This is the second big movement at HLL within a month.

Last month, Dalip Sehgal, the executive director in charge of the new ventures division, headed for a new strategic assignment in the Unilever global foods division in London. This followed the FMCG major’s decision to disband its new venture division, which led to an addi-tional responsibility of HLL’s Project Shakti for Mr Dube.

Mr Dube will head Unilever Polska at an interesting time when the global parent has intensified its focus in the region, especially in the food business. Unilever, which seeks to invest more in Po-land, is building a new research and development centre, which will be specialised in ready soups.

This, say industry experts, will present a new challenge for Mr Dube, who has spent 14 years in a market where Unilever has laid lukewarm focus on foods. Unilever is a leader in many of Poland’s FMCG markets, with a presence in products like ice cream (Algida), tea (Lipton, Saga), and margarines (Rama, Flora).

Mr Dube who was inducted in HLL’s management committee in March last year, joined the company as a direct recruit. He has worked in various sales and marketing assignments, and his mar-keting experience spans across various categories including ex-ports, personal products and fabric wash.

He has also had key stints as category head of mass markets and head (market and consumer development of detergents). He was appointed vice-president, sales and customer development (HPC), in May 2004 and was finally elevated as the executive director in 2006.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com