Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail (ABFRL) has appointed Arun Adhikari as Independent (Additional) Director on the Board of the company.
As per reports, Adhikari started his career as a management trainee with Hindustan Unilever in 1977 and was with Unilever through his full career. From 1977 to 2000 he worked in a series of increasingly senior roles across Sales, Marketing and Consumer Research in India. He also worked for two years in London at the Unilever Head Office in the Corporate Strategy group.
In 2000, Adhikari became Executive Director for Personal Care in HUL and joined the Management Committee of Hindustan Unilever. In 2004, he was appointed Managing Director for Home and Personal Care and joined the Board of Hindustan Unilever.
As a HUL Director was involved in external relationships with Government and media, investor relations, risk management, and corporate governance.
From 2000-2006 Arun was on the Executive or Governing Bodies of several industry, trade and professional associations in india including the Market Research Society of India, Indian Soaps and Toiletries Manufacturers Association, Indian Society of Advertisers and the Advertising Standards Council of India.
Arun was appointed Chairman, Unilever Japan KK in 2006 and was based in Tokyo for three years.
Adhikari retired from Unilever in January 2014 and then moved from Singapore to Mumbai. He worked with McKinsey & Company in India as Senior Advisor from May 2014 for 4 years, supporting the consumer practice and working extensively with McKinsey clients across Consumer and non-Consumer businesses on marketing and sales strategy related areas.
He is currently an Independent Director on the Boards of UltraTech Cement, Aditya Birla Capital,Aditya Birla Sunlife Insurance Co, Voltas and Vodafone Idea.
