Ice cream maker Vadilal Industries has appointed Himanshu Kanwar as its first CEO from outside the promoter family, effective September 29, 2025, for a tenure of five years, the company announced in a stock exchange filing. Following the announcement, shares of Vadilal surged by over 5 percent during trade.
A former Hindustan Unilever (HUL) professional, Kanwar brings extensive experience across foods, beverages, and personal care divisions. He earlier served as Business Head for Ice Creams at HUL and as Global Brand Director for HUL’s South Asia Haircare portfolio. Kanwar currently holds the position of General Manager at XTO10X.
In its statement, Vadilal Industries said: “He combines classical brand-building expertise with new-age digital fluency, making him uniquely positioned to drive innovation, market transformation, and sustainable value creation.”
This appointment marks a significant shift for the family-run business. In March 2025, the promoter family had restructured the company to separate management from ownership, stating that key appointments such as CEO, CFO, and independent directors would require unanimous consent from each branch of the family.
With Kanwar’s induction, Vadilal is set to steer into a new phase of professionalised leadership, balancing its legacy with modern growth ambitions.
