Hina Nagarajan appointed MD & CEO of United Spirits

Hina Nagarajan appointed MD & CEO of United Spirits

She will assume the role starting April 2021.

Hina Nagarajan

NEW DELHI: United Spirits has appointed Hina Nagarajan as MD & CEO, with effect from April 2021. She takes over from Anand Kripalu, who has been associated with the organisation for over eight years.

Nagarajan is currently serving as the MD for Africa emerging markets.

Kripalu will step down by June 2021. During his tenure, he has led the transformation and growth of United Spirits Ltd (USL), with considerable improvement in operating performance – margin growth, working capital and cash generation. Following Diageo’s acquisition of USL in 2013, he led the full integration of USL, reigniting the market’s portfolio strategy. 

A strong advocate for the contribution of the alcohol industry in India, Kripalu has formed lasting relationships across the sector, driving local community initiatives and partnerships while tirelessly promoting responsible drinking. Known for his restlessness and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as his commitment to coaching and growing talent, he has championed inclusion and diversity across the business.

The USL executive team is now 40 per cent female. He leaves the USL leadership team and the broader workplace set up for future success. 

Since joining Diageo in the summer of 2018, Nagarajan has led Diageo’s ARM comprising operations in Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, the Indian Ocean, Angola and several other countries. Under her leadership, ARM has become a significant growth driver for Diageo Africa. She is known for her passion and drive to deliver results and her ability to build strong teams that deliver outstanding outcomes, with a strong commitment to Diageo standards and compliance. She has leveraged capabilities and synergies across the market to drive regional growth, delivering a significant step change in supply chain performance across ARM. She has also been an active and passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity in Africa and Diageo more broadly. Prior to joining Diageo, she has spent over 30 years in the consumer packaged goods businesses and has worked across multiple brands such as Nestle, ICI Paints, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and RB Singapore.