On Thursday, United Spirits Ltd (USL), India’s leading liquor company, appointed Hina Nagarajan as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Hina, who is currently the MD for Africa Regional Markets at USL’s parent company Diageo, will be the first woman to lead USL and the first woman to head a major liquor company in India.
Anand Kripalu, the current CEO, will step down on June 30, 2021, and Hina will take over on July 1, 2021. Kripalu, who has been with USL for nearly eight years and led the company through its integration with Diageo, will work with Hina to ensure a smooth transition.
Hina has over 30 years of experience and previously worked in senior roles at Reckitt Benckiser, Nestle India, and Mary Kay India. She joined Diageo in 2018 from her position as MD for China and SVP for North Asia at Reckitt Benckiser.
USL, based in Bengaluru, operates 49 manufacturing facilities across India and boasts a portfolio of premium brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and McDowell’s No.1. Diageo acquired a majority stake in USL in 2012 for Rs 11,166.5 crore, taking over from previous owner Vijay Mallya.
