Business Desk :
Unilever has appointed KSM Minhaj as the managing director of its newly acquired company GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited.
His new role came into effect on Wednesday, a press release said.
Minhaj is currently the customer development director of Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL).
Unilever successfully completed acquiring 81.98 percent shares of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited from Setfirst, and has proposed renaming the company Unilever Consumer Care Limited, subject to necessary approvals.
Minhaj’s appointment was announced after getting the approval from the Board of Directors of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited (“Company”) at its 297th meeting held on June 30.
He brings with him two decades of rich fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) experience across multiple categories in foods, home and personal care, while leading both marketing and customer development functions as a member of the management committee of Unilever Bangladesh over the last nine years.
He started his career at Nestle Bangladesh in 2000, doing stints in supply chain and brand management before joining Unilever in 2006.
He was one of the youngest marketing directors of the country in 2011, leading a motivated and dynamic marketing team that successfully reshaped the laundry, skin and hair portfolio, delivering both competitive and profitable growth.
The seeds of the future businesses like water, savoury, and hand and body were also sown in his leadership through the introduction of brands like Pureit, Knorr and Vaseline.
In 2014, Minhaj was appointed director of sales and customer development at UBL. Over the last six years, he has successfully transformed the function, making it future-fit by driving execution excellence, expanding distribution base, and creating a fine blend of go-to-market talent.
Talking about his new role, Minhaj said: “It will be a huge privilege to lead Unilever’s nutrition business in Bangladesh. I cannot help but celebrate the moment as two of the most respected global organisations operating in Bangladesh join hands to take the nutrition business to a greater height.”
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Board for their confidence in me and wish to continue the great work done by my predecessors while taking the business ahead. I believe with such high quality of talent and purposeful brands, we will be able to build an inspiring foods and refreshment business in Bangladesh.”
The Board of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited was reconstituted post acquisition of 81.98 percent shares of GSKBD by Unilever Overseas Holdings BV, and Masud Khan is reelected as the chairman of the Board.
Unilever’s focus is to build a profitable and sustainable nutrition business in Bangladesh and support the government’s national agenda to combat malnutrition in all its forms.
Unilever Consumer Care Limited will continue as a public listed independent entity and all the brands of GSK Bangladesh (Horlicks, Boost, Glaxose-D) will continue to be a part of the company’s portfolio.
Unilever is one of the world’s leading consumer goods companies, making and selling around 400 brands in more than 190 countries. UBL is the largest fast-moving consumer goods company with a heritage of over 55 years, with more than nine out of 10 households using its products.
Its purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace with a vision to grow the business while reducing environmental footprint and increasing positive social impact.
