Harish Manwani appointed as Unilever COO

Global FMCG giant Unilever on Friday said it has appointedIndia-born Harish Manwani as its Chief Operating Officer as part of a globalreorganisation in the business structure of the company to drive future growth.

The company said it has made changes to its category andgo-to-market structure to further support its growth plans, especially in fastdeveloping businesses in emerging markets.

"As part of changes, Harish Manwani will be appointedas Chief Operating Officer with effect from September 1 and will takeresponsibility for all markets in order to drive speed to market behind furthersimplification and efficiency," Unilever said in a statement.

Rotterdam-based Unilever is creating the post of COO with aneye on tapping opportunities in emerging markets. This is the first time thatan Indian has risen to this level in the company to lead the business.

Previously, former HUL Chairpersons T Thomas, Ashok Ganguly,K B Dadiseth and Vindi Banga have been members of the Unilever ExecutiveCommittee (UEx).

Manwani (57) is currently the President, Asia Africa,Central and Eastern Europe. He had joinedHindustan Lever Ltd (HLL), now Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), in 1976 and becamea board member of HLL in 1995 as director responsible for the Personal Productsbusiness.

In 2004, he was appointed President and CEO of the Home andPersonal Care North America business group, and in April, 2005, joined the UnileverExecutive as President, Asia Africa.

Manwani is also non-executive chairman of HUL and currentlya member of the Executive Board of the Indian Schoolof Business. He is married and has two daughters.

Manwani's rise to the top of a global firm follows the likesof Indra Nooyi (Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo), Vikram Pandit (CEO of Citibank), Anshu Jain (Head of Corporate & Investment Bank, Deutsche Bank) andRakesh Kapoor (CEO of Reckitt Benckiser).