The appointment represents a significant step in Vadilal’s transformation into a professionally managed company
Aimed at moving from a family-run company to a professionally managed enterprise of the future, Vadilal Industries has appointed Himanshu Kanwar as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 29 September 2025. A former Hindustan Unilever (HUL) executive, Kanwar is a seasoned consumer business leader with over two decades of experience spanning fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) giants and high-growth consumer startups.
At HUL, he held multiple senior leadership roles across foods, beverages, personal care, and ice creams. As Business Head, Ice Creams, he steered the portfolio to growth through strategic acquisitions, disruptive innovations, and sustained margin expansion. Later, as Global Brand Director for HUL’s South Asia haircare portfolio, he led brand strategy, innovation pipelines, and positioning refreshes for several iconic personal care brands, further strengthening HUL’s market leadership.
“I feel extremely privileged to lead Vadilal through this phase of transition. I am thankful to the Gandhi family and the Board for their confidence in me. Vadilal brand and the Gandhi family have been the pioneers in building love for ice creams in India and bringing joy to millions through their quality products. I feel extremely excited and honoured to take this legacy forward and build upon it for the continued success of the business,” Kanwar stated.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, where he specialised in marketing, and a computer engineering graduate from Delhi College of Engineering, Kanwar brings the rare blend of analytical rigour, brand expertise, and entrepreneurial mindset.
“Himanshu is a great choice with deep experience in the category involving consumer understanding, Innovation, go-to-market. Himanshu will play a crucial bridge role in the move from a family-run company to a professionally managed enterprise of the future,” highlighted Shiv Shivakumar, Chairman of Board.
Earlier in his career, Kanwar managed some of India’s most trusted household names in detergents and beverages, while also gaining deep commercial acumen through frontline sales leadership roles, the company said in an official statement. Since 2022, he has been associated with a leading startup enabler, mentoring fast-scaling consumer businesses across beauty, food, and others.
