Mumbai: Orkla India, a subsidiary of Norwegian industrial investment firm Orkla ASA, has appointed Girish Kumar Nair as the Chief Executive Officer of Eastern. Eastern is a leading brand in Kerala’s pure spices and masala market, and Girish will now spearhead its strategic growth and expansion.
Based in Kochi, Girish Nair will lead the Eastern business team, focusing on strengthening Orkla India’s presence in Kerala and beyond. With over three decades of experience in the food and consumer goods industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership expertise to his new role.
Sanjay Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Orkla India, welcomed the appointment, stating, “We are excited to welcome Girish Nair to the Orkla India family as the new CEO of Eastern Business Unit. His extensive industry expertise makes him uniquely positioned to guide Eastern to its next phase of growth and success.”
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Girish Kumar Nair said, “Taking the helm at Orkla India for its Eastern Business Unit is both an honor and a responsibility I deeply value. I am eager to work alongside the team to explore new markets and bring innovative products that resonate with our consumers.”
Prior to joining Orkla India, Girish was a part of Olam Group, where he played a key role in establishing the packaged foods business in West Africa. He is an alumnus of IIT Madras and IIM Bangalore and has held leadership positions at Wipro Consumer Products, Bacardi, Britannia, and Dabur.
Girish firmly believes in purpose-driven brands, the power of collaboration, and the transformative impact of passion in business growth. His market expertise and strategic vision will be instrumental in shaping the future of Eastern, reinforcing its position as a leading spice and masala brand in India.
