Sanjiv Mehta, the former chairman and managing director (MD) of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), announced his departure in June 2023 after a long and successful career in business. Throughout his remarkable journey from an aspiring professional to an experienced executive, Mehta demonstrated exceptional achievements, ethical business practices, and a steadfast dedication to development and innovation. Under his capable leadership, HUL thrived and became one of India’s most esteemed and prominent businesses.
Who is Sanjiv Mehta?
Sanjiv Mehta, born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1961, grew up in Mumbai. His father, SP Mehta, had a distinguished background as a former senior official with the Reserve Bank of India, providing him with a solid educational and occupational foundation.
Mehta pursued a degree in commerce and later became a chartered accountant after graduating from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He honed his managerial skills by completing Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme. Mehta commenced his professional journey in 1983 when he joined Union Carbide.
One of the defining moments in his early career was being part of the crisis management team during the Bhopal Gas catastrophe in 1984. This experience profoundly influenced his perspective on humane capitalism and the importance of values-driven companies.
Apart from his role at Hindustan Unilever, Mehta also serves as an Independent Member of the Board of Danone and a Non-Executive Independent Director for Air India. Additionally, he served as the president of FICCI from 2021 to 2022, according to Financial Express.
His career in Hindustan Unilever Limited
Mehta’s association with Unilever began in 1998 when he accepted the position of commercial director at Unilever Bangladesh. Recognizing his abilities and dedication, he was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh in 2002.
In October 2013, Sanjiv Mehta took on the role of CEO and MD of Hindustan Unilever Limited, responsible for leading Unilever’s operations in India and South Asia. This marked the beginning of a transformative era for HUL and its stakeholders. The company’s revenue surpassed Rs 58,000 Crores (USD 7 billion), and its market value soared from $17 billion to an impressive $76 billion, making HUL one of India’s most valuable companies.
Salary Of Sanjiv Mehta
According to estimates by Business Today, Sanjiv Mehta’s annual salary in 2023 was Rs 22.36 crore, a slight increase from Rs 22.07 crore in 2022.
Sanjiv Mehta’s Hobby
In addition to his business interests, Sanjiv Mehta is well-known for his love of cricket. He received personalized cricket bats from Indian cricketing icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli during his career, each bearing their signatures and greetings. These cherished bats exemplify Mehta’s passion for the game and his strong relationships with key cricket players.
