MUMBAI: Unilever’s EVP - Digital Transformation and Digital Business Rahul Welde has decided to move on from Unilever after a stint of more than three decades at the FMCG conglomerate. He made the announcement on social media. While Welde did not disclose details of his future plans in his post, he said he is embarking on a new chapter, adding– “building a portfolio career, charting new waters and fostering the spirit of reinvention”.

Sharing a pic of himself handing over his Unilever employee pass, Welde wrote: Time does fly. It has been 31 years since I started my career at Unilever on a bright day. What a ride! I am fortunate to have been able to ‘pivot’ my career several times, long before the word became fashionable, all while being in the same company.

“I have always believed in owning your spirit - in my case, following my mantra of ‘Joy over Success’. And sustaining my undying thirst for the new and left field,” he continued, adding, “Unilever is a great company – just too good to sum up in words. When I completed 30 years I said (and it’s there on Twitter for posterity) – “When you are in the company that long, I guess you really bleed blue. It’s so much more than brands and business - it’s a family.”

“How does one leave family then? A fork in the road does come though, and it is time to move on from Unilever,” he further added.

Having joined Unilever as a management trainee back in 1991, Welde was appointed media director - south asia and general manager - media services in 2005. Thereafter, he held various senior positions like VP-media and global VP-Digital Transformation before being elevated to the post of EVP-Digital Transformation in April 2018. He undertook the additional role of EVP-  digital business at the British multinational in February 2020.