Leadership Team

Balram Singh Yadav is the Managing Director of Godrej Agrovet Ltd., one of India’s foremost diversified agribusiness companies. He also serves as Managing Director of Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd. He has been the Chairman of CLFMA of India (Twice), an Association of Livestock Industry. In addition, he is a Director of numerous firms including ACI Godrej Agrovet Pvt Ltd. - Bangladesh, Creamline Dairy Products Ltd. - Hyderabad, Astec Lifesciences Ltd and Godrej Maxximilk - Mumbai.

Balram began his career with Godrej in 1990 and over the years he has handled roles of increasing responsibility across businesses and regions in the company. He became the business Head in 1999 when he was asked to establish & lead

the Poultry Business. He established the Real Good Chicken and Yummiez as the leading processed poultry brand in India.

In 2007, he took over reins of Godrej Agrovet Ltd. as Managing Director and since, has put Godrej Agrovet on the path of rapid growth. In 2017, Balram was instrumental in taking GAVL public. The public offer received record response & was subscribed over 96 times. He is a regular contributor to National & International fora in areas of Food & Agriculture.

Balram completed his BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science at Haryana Agricultural University, where he ranked 2nd in his class. He earned his MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad. He lives in Mumbai.

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S. Varadaraj is Chief Financial Officer and Head - Legal & IT, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Varadaraj took over as the Head of Finance and Systems in 2005. In 2010, he also took on the additional responsibility of the Legal and Secretarial functions of GAVL and its group companies. In addition he is a Director on the Boards of Creamline Dairy Products Limited, Godrej Tyson Foods Limited, Godrej Maxximilk Limited and Godvet Agrochem Limited.

A Commerce graduate and a Chartered Accountant, Varadaraj is also a qualified Cost Accountant and holds a Master's degree in Financial Management. He joined GAVL as a Management Trainee in May 1994.

Varadaraj has been the recipient of several awards and certificates, such as the 'CA-CFO Award in the Agricultural Sector' from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, 'CFO 100 Award' from the CFO Institute for three consecutive years and a 'Certificate of Merit - CMA CFO Award in the category of Private-Manufacturing' from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.

His hobbies include trekking and playing cricket and squash.

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Praful leads Manufacturing & Supply Chain Excellence at Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL). In his current role, he handles projects, sustainability and statutory compliances in manufacturing and supply chain.

Praful started out as a Management Trainee at the erstwhile Godrej Soaps in 1993. He has been an integral part of the Godrej Group and is known for his expertise in recruitment, employee relations and supply chain.

In a career spanning over two decades, Praful has worked in diverse verticals with stints in GCPL, GIL and Godrej Tea in Operations, Manufacturing, Supply chain and HR. He has helped set up key projects like the implementation of 'Manufacturing Pro' and projects on productivity improvement.

A Chemical Engineering graduate, Praful also holds a Management degree from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.

Praful loves listening to music, reading and watching movies. He lives in Mumbai with his wife and two children.

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Mangesh Wange is Head, Animal Feeds Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Mangesh has been responsible for driving the entire operations for the Animal Feeds Business since 2013. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India.

Mangesh joined Godrej Agrovet in 1994 at Miraj, to handle Sales and Distribution for the Animal Feed and Crop Protection businesses. He moved to Mumbai in 1999 to lead National Sales for Crop Protection. Mangesh was instrumental in conceptualising and introducing retail initiatives at Godrej, such as Aadhaar and Godrej Nature's Basket.

With over 25 years of experience in rural markets in India, Mangesh has worked across a range of leadership positions with companies such as Mahindra Tractors, Fullerton India (Microfinance Business) and Thomson Reuters (Reuters Market Light Business).

Mangesh completed his B.Tech in Agri Engineering from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana in 1987 and earned his Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Ahmedabad in 1994. He also holds a Diploma in Training from Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD), Delhi.

Mangesh lives in Mumbai with his wife and two children. He enjoys listening to music and playing cricket.

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Dr. Pitambar N. Narkhade is Head, Research & Development and Nutrition, Animal Feed Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

In his current role, Dr. Narkhade is responsible for product upgradation, new product development, least cost product formulations and providing technical support to the Sales team.

He started his career with Godrej as an Assistant Nutritionist in Mumbai in 1980. Over the years, he has become a key part of the Nutrition support function and now manages all India operations.

Dr. Narkhade completed his Master's in Veterinary Science (Animal Nutrition) in 1980 from Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, Nagpur.

He lives in Mumbai with his wife and two children and likes to read scientific journals in his spare time.

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Dr. Kamlesh Fondekar is Head, Research & Development and Nutrition, Animal Feed Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Dr. Fondekar is responsible for driving the long term as well as short term innovation agenda for Crop Protection Business and Oil Palm Business including Astec LifeSciences Limited with the help of competent scientists.

He has completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Goa University in 1998 and also did graduation in Production & Supply Academy from INSEAD, Paris.

He has 29 years of experience in Research and Development. He started his career with German Remedies and then worked with organisations such as CIBA Research (I) Pvt Ltd, Dr Reddy’s Lab, Nalco and Syngenta India Limited. Dr Kamlesh joins us from Deccan Fine Chemicals as Head- Technology & Engineering.

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Vinay Mishra is Head - Central Buying Organisation, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Vinay joined the Godrej Group in 1996. He had a short stint with Reliance Retail Limited, before he joined GAVL in 2009 as General Manager, Finance. He then went on to head the Finance Team for the Animal Feed business.

Vinay is a CA in from the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India and lives in Mumbai with his wife and daughter. He loves listening to music and playing the flute.

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Rakesh Dogra, is Head, Crop Protection Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited.

In his current role, Rakesh is responsible for managing the profitability of the Crop Protection Business. He is also an active member of the Crop Care Federation of India, Indian Association of Plant Growth Products, Chemical Exports Promotion Council and Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India.

Rakesh joined Godrej Agrovet in 2005 to handle the responsibility of the East Unit Business. Within a year, he started overseeing the South Unit and then took over as the National Sales Manager in 2007. Over the years, Rakesh has played a key part in

building strong brands like Hitweed, Combine and Double.

Rakesh has over two decades of experience in the Agri Business industry across diverse functions including Sales, Marketing and Business Development. He has worked with leading multinationals like Bayer, Chemtura and domestic agribusiness companies like Biostadt.

Rakesh is a graduate in Agriculture with a specialisation in Entomology from the Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur.

Rakesh lives in Mumbai with his wife and two children. His hobbies include listening to music and driving through hilly tracks.

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Dharmender Kumar is CEO, Godrej Seeds & Genetics Limited (GSGL), a 100% subsidiary of Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Dharmender joined Godrej Agrovet in 2011 and took on the responsibility for the Seeds Business. An expert in the field of the Indian seed industry, Dharmendra completed his BSc in Agricultural Science and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Agriculture) from IIM-Ahmedabad.

Dharmender has a keen interest in developmental economics, especially programmes for poverty alleviation. He aims to develop seeds for resource poor farmers to contribute to sustainability of agriculture. He enjoys reading history books in his spare time. Dharmender lives with his wife and they have two children.

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Sanjivani is Head, Human Resources - Food Businesses, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

In her current role, she leads Human Resources for Godrej Tyson Foods and Creamline Dairy Products.

Sanjivani has been associated with the Godrej Group since 2003. As Head, People Practices for the HR Corporate function from 2011- 2015, she was responsible for leading the organisational talent and development centre.

She was actively involved in improving and implementing processes in leadership development, performance management, organisational structuring and compensation.

In her earlier assignment with Godrej Consumer Products Limited, Sanjivani played diverse roles across verticals from business HR partnering, compensation to talent management during pre and post merger periods.

Prior to Godrej, Sanjivani was associated with HDFC Standard Life Insurance. During her tenure there, she was responsible for talent acquisition, talent management, performance and rewards management, employee engagement and corporate governance.

Sanjivani is passionate about classical dancing, reading and exploring her culinary skills.

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Arabind Das is Whole Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Godrej Tyson Foods Limited (GTFL).

Currently, he spearheads their operations for brands such as Real Good Chicken and Real Good Yummiez. Arabind joined GTFL in 2011 as Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in crafting a growth strategy for the business. Under his leadership, the business turned around and is now one of the fastest growing, most profitable companies in the poultry industry.

Arabind has over three decades of experience in business and operations management in dairy, processed foods, personal, home care and retail businesses.

He has held a wide range of leadership positions across geographies with Cadbury's, Unilever, Dabur and the Aditya Birla Group, among other companies.

Arabind is a specialist in turnaround strategy, operational and supply chain strategy, cost management, food safety and project management and execution. He has also trained in Total Productive Maintenance at the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance. He is a Gold Medalist in M.Tech, Dairy Technology. He has a distinction in Chemical Engineering and Packaging Technology from the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana.

Arabind has authored articles for many leading dailies and has been on the panels of various government bodies, such as the Confederation of Indian Industry and PHD Chambers. He is married with two children and enjoys cooking and traveling with his family.

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Sandeep Kumar Singh is CEO, Animal Feed business & GMPL.

Sandeep leads post-merger integration across two different verticals - Agri Chemicals and Dairy. He ensures that GAVL adds significant value to the businesses acquired. He also explores value creation projects for the existing businesses to help them achieve long-term sustainable growth. He was part of the core team, which led the acquisition of Astec LifeSciences and bought majority stake in Creamline Dairy. From collaborating with leading scientists to working with bankers on inorganic growth opportunity, he has had some exciting times at GAVL.

Sandeep started his career at Accenture, where he worked across multiple sectors, functions and organisations. He joined Godrej Agrovet in 2013, out of a keen interest in the agribusiness space. He is an Electronics engineer from Mumbai University and completed his MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in 2006.

Sandeep is an ardent foodie and a tennis enthusiast. He is an avid follower of Game of Thrones and House of Cards. He enjoys discussing stocks, politics and business.

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Nasim Ali is CEO, Oil Palm Plantations Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Nasim has over three decades of experience in extension, production, sales and operations of Oil Palm in nine states of India. He has been a key contributor in making GAVL the highest Crude Palm Oil Producer in India. Nasim started his career with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corporation Limited (ANIFPDCL), Government of India Undertaking, as the Deputy Divisional Manager (Oil Palm) in 1984. He joined the Godrej Group in 1993 in the erstwhile Godrej Soaps as Estate Manager at Kankavali, Maharashtra and has subsequently worked across Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.

He is a Post Graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science from the University of Calcutta and passed the SFS (State Forest Service, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India) in 1987. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) from the University of Goa.

Nasim lives with his wife and two sons and enjoys watching cricket in his free time.

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Sumit Mitra is Head - Group Human Resources and Corporate Services. He also directly oversees the HR function for Godrej Agrovet.

Sumit drives the Godrej Employer Brand that is built on the philosophy of tough love. He has been instrumental in making Godrej an inspiring workplace with an agile and high performance culture that attracts and retains the best global talent. The Group companies consistently feature in the Great Place to Work list.

Sumit leads the leadership development, due diligence, mergers and acquisitions and change management initiatives, which have formed a major part of the Group's aggressive growth strategy.

He has played a key role in driving the cross-cultural integration linked to the Group's global 3 X 3 strategy: presence in 3 continents - Asia, Africa and Latin America, through 3 core categories - Home Care, Personal Wash and Hair Care.

Sumit is also associated with the Group's Corporate Social Responsibility project, 'Godrej Good and Green' which focuses on shared value opportunities addressing social and environmental problems.

An MBA in Human Resources from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Sumit is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Programme.

Sumit is an avid reader of fiction and takes keen interest in photography, traveling and gardening.

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Raj Kanwar is CEO, Creamline Dairy Products Limited, our dairy business.

Raj joined Agrovet in September 2016 and has been heading Creamline Dairy since then. Prior to this, he had highly successful stints leading the confectionery business OK Foods Limited (a joint venture between Olam International Singapore and Sanyo Foods Japan) and establishing the the Act II Popcorn business in India at Agro Tech Foods Limited. He has also worked at ICI Paints and Shell Lubricants.

Raj did his Bachelors in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai in 1991 and then went on to do his Masters in Business Administration from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi in 1993.

Raj currently lives in Hyderabad with his wife Shalini and daughter Mihika. He is a voracious reader and enjoys running and yoga.

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Bhupendra Suri is the CEO of Creamline Dairy Pvt Limited. His prolific career spans nearly three decades of which 23 years were with Coca-Cola where he performed various roles in Sales, Distribution, Supply Chain, RTM and Franchise Bottling Operations. He led Coca-Cola’s national Franchise Bottling Operations business in India. He was the Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria till 2019. His last stint was as CEO for Devyani Food Industries Limited where he was responsible for running the Creambell Ice-cream business in India. He has also worked with Bajaj Auto Limited and Asian Paints Limited. Bhupendra did his B Tech from IIT BHU, Varanasi and completed his PGDBM from XLRI, Jamshedpur. Bhupendra is an avid reader and a published author of two books.

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Rajeev Murthy is CEO, Animal Feeds Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited.

In his current role, Rajeev is responsible for the Animal Feeds business, which comprises Cattle, Broiler, Layer and Aqua Feeds. He has a rich corporate experience of over two decades.

Prior to this, Rajeev was in several leadership roles in Elanco, the Animal Health and Productivity division of Eli Lilly & Company. He also had successful stints in Gillette India Limited and Arvind Garments Limited among others, prior to joining Godrej Agrovet.

Rajeev completed his Bachelors in Instrumentation and Control from the College of Engineering, Pune in 1986. He went on to do his Masters in Business Administration, from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi in 1993.

Rajeev enjoys reading and long distance running.

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Prashant Vatkar is CEO, Godrej Tyson Foods Limited (GTFL), a joint venture with Tyson Foods, U.S.A.

Prashant joined Godrej Agrovet in September 2016 and has been leading GTFL since then. He has rich experience in successfully leading consumer facing businesses in personal care and food spaces, both in India and abroad.

Prior to joining Godrej, Prashant had successful stints in HIL Limited and Britannia Industries Limited.

An engineering graduate, Prashant has a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Ahmedabad. He enjoys playing Basketball and Volleyball and takes keen interest in photography and painting.

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Salil Chinchore is Head, Human Resources, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

In his current role, Salil is responsible for driving the Human Resource strategy at the company. He is also a senior HR Business Partner of the Godrej HR Leadership Team.

Prior to this, Salil was President - Human Resources at Pidilite Industries. He has held several HR leadership roles at Asian Paints, Mondelez, TE Connectivity previously.

A Graduate in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune, Salil went on do his Post Graduation in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Salil is passionate about reading, music and cricket.

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Dhruba Banerjee is CEO, Aqua Feed Business of Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL).

Dhruba is B.Sc (Horticulture) from BCKV, West Bengal and did his post-graduation (PGP-ABM) from IIM-Ahmedabad.

He joined GAVL in 2004 as a Management Trainee from the campus. From 2004 till 2008, he did multiple roles in Sales and Marketing, Operations and Project management in the Animal Feed Business (North Region).

In 2009, he became the Regional Head for the Animal feed business in the East Region. In 2014, he joined ACI Godrej Agrovet Ltd, Dhaka as Managing Director. He handled Poultry Feed, Cattle feed and Fish feed business along with Poultry Breeding operations in Bangladesh for 5 years.

He came back to India in 2019 as Head of Live Bird Business (division of Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd).

Dhruba is passionate about travelling and trekking in Hilly regions and loves playing football. He enjoy reading books and listening to music in his leisure time.

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