Chairman & Managing Director, Marico Limited
Over the last 3 decades, Harsh Mariwala has transformed a traditional commodity driven business into a leading Consumer Products & Services Company, in the Beauty and Wellness space. Marico markets leading brands such as Parachute, Saffola, Kaya, Mediker, Revive, among others. From a turnover of Rs.50 Lakhs in 1971, Marico's Products and Services in Hair Care, Skin Care and Healthy Foods generated a turnover of about Rs. 4550 crores during 2012-13. Today one out of three Indians is a Marico consumer. Marico has also established strong consumer franchises in its overseas markets in Asia and Africa, increasing itsrevenue 10 fold to about INR 1000 crore over the last 7 years. Shareholders have come to expect consistent performance from the company, it having delivered a CAGR of 21% in revenue and 23% in profits over the last 5 years. An investment in Marico's stock in the year 2000 has grown 30 times in value, with the company enjoying a market Capitalization of about INR 14000 crore. Shareholder wealth has registering a CAGR of 30% since Marico's IPO in 1996.
Under his stewardship, Marico has defined its Purpose to grow sustainably by maximizing the potential of multiplestakeholders in each sphere of its business; "To transform in a sustainable manner, the lives of all those we touch, by nurturing and empowering them to maximize their true potential". The Company has an action plan oriented towards creating value for each of its key stakeholders – consumers, members, associates, society and shareholders.
Under his leadership, Marico has achieved several awards and external recognition – over 100 in number of the last few years. Each of Marico's three businesses, consumer products in India, International Business and Kaya has received awardsin all functions across the value chain.. Some of them are:The NDTV Profit 'Best Business Leadership' Award in the FMCG (Personal Hygiene) category, in 2007 and 2009, and was rated as one of India's Most Innovative companies by the Business Today - Monitor Group Innovation Study (2008). Harsh Mariwala was conferred with the Ernst & Young 'Entrepreneur of the Year' Award (2009) in the Manufacturing category, 'Talent Management Award' at the CNBC India Business Leader Award (2009), the 'Teacher's Achievement Award in Business' (2006) and the 'CEO with HR Orientation' - Global Excellence HR Award (2007) by the Asia Pacific HRM Congress. (Annexure 1). This gives confidence about Marico's holistic growth and that the building blocks are falling into place.
Harsh Mariwala's entrepreneurial drive and passion for Innovation, enthused him to establish the Marico Innovation Foundation in 2003. Under the stewardship of an eminent Board, the Foundation acts as a catalyst to fuel innovation in India. Some of the key initiatives of MIF are, 1) Bi annual innovation awards, 2) Social Innovation Acceleration program, 3) Innowin Magazine, 4) Book on Innovation – "Breakthrough Innovations" (55000 copies have been sold).As an expression of his Personal Social Responsibility, Mr. Mariwala recently launched ASCENT – Accelerating the SCaling up of ENTerprises to identify growth-stage entrepreneurs with potential and enable them in their scaling-up journey. In the first year of operations in Mumbai & Pune, ASCENT has garnered a membership of 250+ entrepreneurs and plans to expand to Delhi in the current year reaching a membership of 500 entrepreneurs.
Mr. Mariwala was the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2011. He has also held several positions as FMCG Committee Chairman of FICCI and CII. Mr. Mariwala is a part of Young President Organization (YPO) and World Presidents Organization (WPO) and has held the position of YPO Education, Membership and Chapter Chair.
