3 weeks ago
Godrej Consumer names Aasif Malbari as CEO, Kedia interim CFO
A big company called Godrej Consumer Products, which makes everyday products like hair care and air care items, has picked a new boss.
The old boss, Sudhir Sitapati, quit his job.
He said he had finished the task he set for himself and it was the right time to move on.
The new boss is Aasif Malbari, who used to be the company's chief money person and also looked after its Africa business.
He will lead the company for five years.
Another employee, Vishal Kedia, will handle the money duties for now until a permanent chief money person is chosen.
The company is growing — its sales went up by 19% compared with the same time last year.
It will also give owners a small reward of 5 rupees for every share they own.
Some money experts are worried the company might struggle now that the old boss has left, and they think its share price could drop.
But the company says its plans for this year have not changed and it still wants to grow by a lot.
Godrej Consumer Products appointed Aasif Malbari as Managing Director and CEO, effective August 12, 2026, succeeding Sudhir Sitapati.
Vishal Kedia was named interim CFO, taking over from Malbari, who had been Global CFO and President of Godrej Africa.
Sudhir Sitapati resigned on August 10, effective August 11, 2026, saying the task he had set for himself was done.
The company reported 19% revenue growth and 9% underlying volume growth in Q1 FY27, which Sitapati called multi-quarter highs.
GCPL declared an interim dividend of Rs 5 per equity share for FY27, with a record date of August 13.
JM Financial expects the stock to react negatively to Sitapati's exit, despite an unchanged FY27 strategy targeting double-digit growth.
- Who
- Aasif Malbari (new MD & CEO), Vishal Kedia (interim CFO) and Sudhir Sitapati (outgoing MD & CEO) of Godrej Consumer Products.
- What
- A leadership change at Godrej Consumer Products, including the appointment of a new MD & CEO and interim CFO, alongside an interim dividend and strong Q1 FY27 results.
- Where
- India-based Godrej Consumer Products, which operates businesses in India, Indonesia, Africa and Latin America.
- When
- Announced and effective August 12, 2026; Sitapati's resignation took effect August 11, 2026; Malbari's term runs to August 11, 2031.
- Why
- Sitapati resigned saying the task he had set for himself was done, and the company appointed Malbari, who led the transformation of its Africa business.
Analyst View
Company View
Impact of Sitapati's exit
Analyst View
JM Financial called Sitapati's exit a negative surprise in a challenging operating environment and expects the stock to react negatively, noting the NTM valuation of 42x is below the long-term average.
Company View
Sitapati said his task was done and it was the right time to move on; the company appointed Malbari, who previously led the turnaround of its Africa business.
FY27 growth outlook
Analyst View
JM Financial said the operating environment is challenging, though it noted a promising FY27 outlook with an India volume uptick, strong Indonesia recovery and solid Africa execution.
Company View
Godrej Consumer Products said its overall strategy and FY27 guidance remain unchanged, targeting double-digit sales and EBITDA growth while speeding up execution and increasing accountability.
Key facts
- New MD & CEO
- Aasif Malbari (effective August 12, 2026)
- Outgoing MD & CEO
- Sudhir Sitapati (resigned August 10; effective August 11, 2026)
- Interim CFO
- Vishal Kedia (effective August 12, 2026)
- Malbari's term
- Five years, until August 11, 2031
- Q1 FY27 results
- 19% revenue growth; 9% underlying volume growth
- Interim dividend
- Rs 5 per equity share (500% of face value of Rs 1)
- Dividend record date
- August 13, 2026; payment on or before September 5
- Africa EBITDA margin
- Improved from ~9% (FY24) to ~15% (FY26)
Quotes
Sudhir Sitapati
Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Godrej Consumer Products
“I feel that the task I had set for myself here is done and this is the right time to move on”
financialexpress.com
JM Financial Analyst
Financial analyst commenting on the company’s outlook
“FY27 outlook seemed promising with portfolio transformation leading to uptick in India volumes, strong recovery in Indonesia and solid execution in Africa. NTM valuation at 42x is below LT average; but Mr Sitapati’s exit is a negative surprise, especially in the current challenging operating environment, and we expect the stock to react negatively”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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