Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) has appointed Aasif Malbari as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Sudhir Sitapati.
Sitapati’s resignation took effect on 11 August 2026, ending his nearly five-year tenure at the FMCG company. Malbari assumes the leadership role from 12 August for five consecutive years, subject to shareholder approval.
The transition comes only months after GCPL had approved Sitapati’s reappointment for another five-year term beginning in October 2026. His departure, therefore, marks an unexpected change at the helm of the consumer goods major.
Finance leader moves into the top role
Malbari was serving as GCPL’s Global Chief Financial Officer and President of Godrej Africa before his elevation. Having joined the company as CFO in 2023, he has worked closely with leadership teams across markets on business strategy, growth and performance.
He brings three decades of experience across the FMCG and automotive industries, with previous tenures at Hindustan Unilever and Tata Motors.
Before joining GCPL, Malbari served as CFO of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility and as a director at Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. In these roles, he contributed to the reorganisation and scaling of the passenger vehicle business, including a $1 billion fundraise for the electric vehicle division.
At GCPL, he is credited with leading the transformation of its Africa operations. The business expanded its FMCG portfolio, entered the air-care category and strengthened its legacy hair-fashion operations, helping its EBITDA margin rise from approximately 9% in FY24 to 15% in FY26.
“Aasif brings deep command of GCPL’s strategic and operating rhythm,” said Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson, GCPL, adding that his disciplined approach to execution would be important for the company’s next phase of growth.
Malbari is a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. He secured the All-India First Rank in both the CA Intermediate and Final examinations.
Sitapati concludes nearly five years at GCPL
Sitapati joined GCPL as Managing Director and CEO in October 2021 after spending more than 22 years at Hindustan Unilever. During his tenure, the company sharpened its product portfolio, strengthened manufacturing capabilities and pursued category-led growth across its domestic and international businesses.
In his resignation communication, Sitapati said he believed he had completed the task he had set for himself at the company and that it was the right time to move on. He also offered to support the incoming CEO during the transition.
Nisaba Godrej thanked Sitapati for the “bold thinking” he brought to GCPL during his tenure.
Following Malbari’s elevation, GCPL has appointed Vishal Kedia as interim Chief Financial Officer and key managerial personnel. Kedia will continue leading strategy, financial planning and analysis, and investor relations until the company appoints a permanent CFO.
Malbari’s elevation places an internal leader with experience across finance, strategy and international operations at GCPL’s helm as the company seeks to strengthen execution across its core businesses and accelerate growth in newer categories.