Mumbai: Gulf Oil Lubricants India has announced the appointment of Aarthy Sridhar as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With over 13 years of extensive experience in brand building and category leadership at Hindustan Unilever, Ms. Sridhar brings a wealth of expertise in marketing strategy, portfolio transformation, and P&L management. In her new role, she will lead Gulf Oil’s marketing initiatives and brand strategy, driving the company’s ongoing transition toward becoming a more marketing-driven organization.
Sridhar’s impressive FMCG background includes spearheading strategic growth across multiple high-value portfolios at Hindustan Unilever, including beauty, home care, and ice creams. She has a proven track record in successfully launching brands, creating new categories, driving premiumization, and transforming portfolios across popular brands such as Lakme, Surf Excel, Comfort, and Magnum.
Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd., commented, “We are excited to welcome Aarthy Sridhar to the Gulf family. Her deep FMCG expertise and proven success in brand building align perfectly with our marketing excellence agenda. In today’s rapidly changing industry landscape, where customer expectations are continuously evolving, she brings a fresh perspective that will accelerate our transition from traditional industrial marketing to a more dynamic, consumer-centric approach. Aarthy’s proven track record in brand architecture, product innovation, and strategic portfolio management will be instrumental in strengthening Gulf Oil’s market position and brand equity.”
Aarthy Sridhar expressed her enthusiasm about the new role, saying, “I am delighted to begin my journey with Gulf Oil at this transformative time. Gulf Oil’s storied heritage combined with its progressive outlook presents immense potential for growth. I look forward to applying my consumer-centric experience to strengthen Gulf Oil’s market presence, foster innovation, and build sustainable growth through a comprehensive marketing approach.”
Sridhar holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and a B.Tech in Information Technology from V.J.T.I. Mumbai. Her consistent track record of business transformation and expertise in modern marketing approaches will be crucial in elevating Gulf Oil’s brand presence and market share in an evolving industry landscape.
This strategic appointment underscores Gulf Oil’s commitment to strengthening its marketing capabilities and staying ahead of market dynamics. With this move, the company aims to deliver superior value to stakeholders while maintaining the brand’s heritage of trust and excellence in the lubricants industry. In her new role, Ms. Sridhar will report to Abhijit Kulkarni, who has recently been appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer of the company.
