Dabur Elevates Mohit Malhotra as Global CEO, Appoints Herjit Bhalla for India Business

Dabur India Limited has announced a leadership restructuring that separates global oversight from domestic operations, elevating Mohit Malhotra to the role of Whole Time Director and Global Chief Executive Officer while appointing Herjit S. Bhalla as Chief Executive Officer – India Business.

Malhotra, who earlier served as Whole Time Director and Chief Executive Officer, has now been redesignated as Whole Time Director and Global CEO with immediate effect. The move signals a stronger global mandate for the FMCG major as it looks to sharpen international execution and consolidate its presence across overseas markets.

In parallel, Dabur’s Board, acting on the recommendation of its Nomination & Remuneration Committee, has appointed Herjit S. Bhalla as CEO – India Business. His appointment will come into effect from April 15, 2026, or another mutually agreed date. Bhalla will report directly to Malhotra in his expanded global capacity.

The restructuring effectively creates a dual-leadership focus: one executive driving overall global strategy and international growth, and another dedicated to strengthening performance in India, the company’s largest and most strategically significant market.

Bhalla, 49, brings over 25 years of experience in commercial and general management roles across India and international markets. A B.Com (Hons.) graduate from Delhi University and an MBA from MDI Gurugram, he began his career at Unilever in 2000. Over more than a decade, he held various leadership roles across sales and marketing, including a stint as Marketing Director in Moscow between 2009 and 2012.

He later served as Chief Operating Officer at Metro Cash & Carry during 2016–17, where he was also a member of the Executive Board. In 2018, Bhalla joined The Hershey Company as Managing Director for India before moving into broader global roles. Since 2021, he has held positions such as Vice President India & AEMEA, Vice President Canada and AMEA, and most recently Vice President Canada & Global Customers.

For Dabur, which operates across health care, personal care and foods, the management rejig reflects a governance structure designed to balance domestic scale with global ambition. As Indian FMCG players increasingly seek growth beyond saturated home markets, global integration and sharper accountability structures are becoming central to long-term strategy.

India continues to contribute a significant share of Dabur’s revenue and brand equity, particularly across Ayurvedic and health-led portfolios. At the same time, international markets offer diversification and expansion opportunities, especially in categories aligned with wellness and natural products.

By elevating Malhotra to a dedicated global role and installing a separate India CEO, Dabur is institutionalising focus at both ends of its growth spectrum. The move aligns with a broader corporate trend in large consumer companies, where geographic complexity and portfolio expansion demand clearer reporting lines and sharper operational ownership.

In practical terms, this is less about headline change and more about structural calibration. The heritage brand remains intact, but the organisational design now reflects its dual priorities: defend and grow in India, while accelerating its international footprint. For investors and stakeholders, it signals continuity of leadership alongside a clearer division of responsibility.