Brands
Unilever names Amruta S as executive vice president
MUMBAI: Unilever has appointed Amruta S as executive vice president, business development, handing her the brief to sharpen the group’s dealmaking engine and push its next leg of growth.
In the newly created role, Amruta will run mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and market expansion, working with the chief executive and the senior leadership team to reshape the portfolio and lift long-term value.
She joins from Nestlé, where she was most recently senior vice president, operations, after a stint as vice president, operations, leading large-scale commercial, operational and people programmes across India. Earlier in her career, she served as a senior visa officer at the American embassy and held sales and marketing roles, giving her a cross-sector mix of execution and strategy.
The hire signals Unilever’s intent to move faster on acquisitions and alliances as it hunts for growth in a tougher consumer market.
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.
