MAM
Gulf Oil Lubricants India appoints Abhijit Kulkarni as chief commercial officer
Mumbai: Gulf Oil Lubricants India, a prominent player in the lubricants industry has appointed Abhijit Kulkarni as chief commercial officer (CCO). With over two decades of diverse experience across top-tier MNCs including Unilever, Castrol and Coca Cola, Kulkarni brings a wealth of expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, sales, and general management. In his new role, he will assume responsibility for overseeing Gulf Oil’s B2C and B2B business segments (excluding OEM), synergy, and marketing, and will report directly to Gulf Oil Lubricants India MD & CEO Ravi Chawla.
Kulkarni joins Gulf Oil from Unilever, where he held leadership roles over 16 years, including cluster general manager for Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam in the FMCG major’s ice cream division with P&L responsibilities. He led initiatives like revitalizing Unilever’s Thailand ice cream business and introducing brands like ‘Magnum’ in India. His experience in driving growth, portfolio management, and team building will support Gulf Oil’s channel business and align it with the company’s commercial goals.
Chawla said, “We are delighted to welcome Abhijit Kulkarni to Gulf. His extensive leadership experience and proven track record in delivering accelerated business growth by driving brand, sales & marketing initiatives & contributing to the strategic agenda make him a valuable addition to our team. With his deep expertise across markets and sectors, I am confident that Mr. Kulkarni will bring fresh energy in our B2C and B2B profitable growth trajectory as we continue to expand our market shares.”
Kulkarni said, “Gulf is an aspirational brand and its strong legacy and brand presence offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the company’s growth story. The company’s commitment to continuous innovation and excellence makes it an exciting time to join the organization. I look forward to working with the passionate team at Gulf Oil to deliver value to our customers, partners, and stakeholders.”
Kulkarni holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) and a Bachelor of Engineering from Government College of Engineering, Pune (COEP). His diverse leadership roles in both Indian and international markets have equipped him with a unique perspective on driving business success in dynamic environments.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
