New Delhi: Dabur India is set to appoint Herjit S Bhalla, currently vice-president (Canada & global customers) at The Hershey Company, as its new India chief executive officer, according to people directly aware of the development.
Bhalla is expected to report to Mohit Malhotra, who is slated to move into an elevated role within the company. Dabur India did not respond to queries seeking comment.
The leadership transition at the maker of Real juices and Chyawanprash comes at a time of heightened churn at the top across India’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The industry has been grappling with muted consumption growth, intensifying competition from digital-first brands and a gradual rural recovery, prompting several companies to recalibrate leadership and strategy.
Over the past year, FMCG majors including Hindustan Unilever, Britannia, L’Oréal, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Panasonic, Nestlé, Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting and Haleon have appointed new chief executives, driven by a mix of abrupt exits and planned successions.
Dabur, however, has indicated improving business conditions. In its third-quarter business update earlier this month, the company said it expects consolidated revenue growth in the mid-single digits, with stronger growth in operating profit and profit after tax. It cited favourable macroeconomic conditions and recent GST reforms as key factors that could support a sustained recovery in demand and an improvement in its revenue trajectory in the coming quarters.
Bhalla brings extensive global and India-market experience to the role. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has spent over eight years at The Hershey Company in leadership roles spanning Canada, Asia-Pacific, West Asia and Africa. Before Hershey, he worked with Metro Cash & Carry and spent 16 years at Hindustan Unilever.
For FY25, Dabur reported revenue of ₹12,563 crore, with more than half of its annual sales coming from rural markets—an area expected to play a critical role in the company’s next phase of growth.