MAM
UdChalo appoints Abani Kant Jha as CFO
Mumbai: udChalo, a consumer tech company focusing on Indian defence personnel and their dependents, has announced the appointment of Abani Kant Jha as chief financial officer.
In his role, Jha will contribute to strategy formulation in alignment with the organisation’s long-term objectives and goals, planning and management of company resources to maximise ROI, identifying cost-saving projects and leading the treasury of the organisation for effective deployment of funds, said the company in a statement.
He will lead a team of tax experts, consultants, and the finance team at udChalo and play a key role in bringing investments for the next growth phase of the organisation, it added.
Welcoming Jha on board, udChalo CEO Ravi Kumar said, “We are confident that his expertise in global finance will benefit us to have better financial operations, identify risks, and setting up processes to mitigate them.”
Jha comes with 25 years of industry experience. In his most recent role, he was with Jindal Flims as director of business operations & CFO. He was previously associated with companies like EaseMyTrip, Aditya Birla Group, Koutons, DP World and Reliance Industries, where he held significant roles and handled global positions at leadership levels.
On his appointment, Jha stated, “I believe udChalo has a great business model and talented management team that uniquely positions it to capitalise on the changing environment. I look forward to working with the team.”
MAM
HUL appoints Pavan Bedi as CMO for Foods business
Veteran marketer with 22-plus years at Unilever takes charge of foods portfolio in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: HUL’s foods division just got a seasoned flavour boost because when it comes to seasoning success, Pavan Bedi knows exactly how to stir the pot. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has elevated long-time leader Pavan Bedi to chief marketing officer for its Foods business, the company confirmed on 23 February 2026. Bedi, who has spent over 22 years with the FMCG giant, shared the news himself on LinkedIn, writing: “I’m delighted to share that I will be stepping into a new role as CMO Foods, HUL”.
Before this Mumbai-based appointment, Bedi served as global brand vice president for more than four years. His career is dotted with high-impact global roles: he was global brand director for Pond’s (based in Singapore), driving innovation across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, led the high-profile rebranding of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely as global brand director; and spent six years shaping Lifebuoy’s “Purpose agenda” and “Social Mission”, forging public-private partnerships with the United Nations and other platforms.
Now overseeing HUL’s sprawling foods lineup from staples to snacks and everything in between Bedi steps into one of the company’s most dynamic verticals at a time when consumer tastes are evolving fast. His track record blending global scale, brand transformation, and purpose-led marketing makes him a natural fit for steering strategic growth and creative campaigns in the category.
In his LinkedIn post, Bedi underscored his enduring commitment to Unilever’s vision, framing the move as another chapter in a career built on long-term impact rather than quick wins.
For an organisation that thrives on trusted, household names, Bedi’s elevation is less a surprise and more a reminder, the best recipes for growth often come from ingredients that have been simmering for over two decades. Whether it’s rebranding icons or building purpose at scale, he’s now tasked with making sure HUL’s foods business stays as appetising tomorrow as it is today.
