Leadership reshuffle aims to strengthen operations and accelerate value-added tea and retail growth at the South India-based plantation firm
Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company has appointed K. Mathew Abraham as Chairman and Managing Director, the company said on Wednesday, as the South India-based tea producer looks to strengthen its consumer business and speciality tea portfolio.
KDHP, an associate company of Tata Consumer Products, is regarded as South India’s largest tea plantation company. Abraham had been serving as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company since 2015.
During his tenure, the company undertook operational modernisation initiatives, expanded its retail tea business and strengthened its sustainability credentials. KDHP said it became the first large plantation company in India to secure Carbon Neutral and Climate Positive certification under his leadership.
The company also widened its direct-to-consumer presence through its Ripple Tea brand and Chai Bazaar retail store format.
“As KDHP enters its next phase of growth, our priority will be to accelerate value creation through operational excellence, enhanced value addition through speciality teas, expansion of our B2C footprint through our retail brands, Ripple Tea and Chai Bazaar store,” Abraham said.
Apart from his role at KDHP, Abraham also serves as Vice Chairman of Tata Coffee and Amalgamated Plantations.
The Board has also appointed Amir Abbas Khan as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Khan brings nearly three decades of experience in plantation operations, tea manufacturing, marketing and global sales. He has held several leadership positions within the company and most recently served as Vice President – Tea Manufacture.
Before that, Khan led KDHP’s marketing and sales operations for more than a decade, overseeing domestic and international tea business activities.
