Procter & Gamble (P&G) has appointed Shailesh Jejurikar as the global Chief Operating Officer (COO), making him the first Indian to take over this role. His appointment is effective from October1, 2021.

In a statement, P&D said, "In October, Shailesh Jejurikar will become P&G's Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Shailesh will have profit/loss responsibility for P&G's Enterprise Markets (Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe).”

Shailesh will also lead lead Information Technology, Global Business Services, Sales, Market Operations, New Business, Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Distribution efforts for the company, the company added.

This appointment is in line with the change at the CEO level with Vice chairman and COO Jon Moeller will take over from David Taylor as its President and CEO, effective November 1. Shailesh, who started his career at P&G India and spent over three decades at the firm, will report to Moeller. His successor will be announced at a later date.

Shailesh’s extensive P&G career has spanned multiple businesses (Health & Beauty Care, Home Care, Fabric Care and P&G Professional) in both developed and developing regions (North America, Europe, Asia and Africa). He has consistently delivered strong business results in every market and on every business, enabled via his deep experience of growing brands locally, regionally, globally and across service industries, together with his passion for brand building. He has the unique ability of identifying growth possibilities.

Currently, Shailesh is the CEO of P&G's largest business sector, Fabric and Home Care, which includes brands such as Tide, Ariel, Downy, Gain, Febreze, Swiffer, representing about one-third of total company sales and net earnings. With this appointment, he joins the ever expanding league of Indian occupying top positions at global consumer firms.