Sudhanshu Vats

Sudhanshu Vats is the Managing Director at Pidilite Industries Limited . He has a career spanning 34 years across the FMCG, Chemicals & Media sectors with a track record of propelling significant business growth and creating long-term value for all stakeholders of the Company. He has always created an inclusive, open and learning culture for employees. Prior to joining Pidilite, Sudhanshu Vats was the Managing Director and CEO at EPL Limited. Under his leadership the company grew in double digits in FY 21 despite Covid19 headwinds. His clearly articulated strategy of "Leading the Pack" with Sustainability at its core and well defined 5 Must Win Battles will help EPL maintain its strong run in the years ahead. Prior to EPL, he spent eight years as the MD and Group CEO of Viacom18 Media Private Ltd. Under Sudhanshu’s leadership Viacom18 grew from 6 to 54 channel network across more than 80 countries, turned around Filmed Entertainment business with content led cinema and added a strong Digital business that propelled it to a stupendous 4x growth in top line and consistent positive PAT delivery in this period. By building a strong portfolio of Direct to Consumer Digital offerings under VOOT brand and strengthening Data Science & Analytics capability, he has future proofed the media company that is admired for its culture, quality of talent and progressive people policies. Prior to Viacom18, he spent about 20 years at Unilever in India in sales, marketing and general management roles. His last role in Unilever was VP Laundry (South Asia) and Global VP - Radiant brand. He made Radiant the fastest growing laundry brand in the world with over Euro 500 M turnover and grew South Asia Laundry business by 20%+ crossing the Euro 1 B milestone. As Head Soaps and Detergents, he aggressively grew share, revenue and profitability for HUL in India. During his long tenure at Unilever, he shaped many popular household brands, most notably Lipton, Vim, Wheel, Surf, Rin, Lifebuoy and Lux. During 2004-2005, Sudhanshu worked with BP in India as VP Marketing and successfully re-launched the Castrol Master brand. He is the Co Chair of the CII FMCG Committee & Member National Council of CII, Senior Vice President of Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Chairman of Advertising Standards Council of India. He is on the Global Advisory Board of the Columbia University, New York. He is also on the advisory board of a number of NGOs. Sudhanshu is an inspirational leader and mentors a lot of young CXOs, many of whom started their career with him. He is a marathon runner.