Harsh Mariwala
About
Harsh Mariwala transformed his family’s trading business in spices & edible oils into a consumer goods giant Marico, a Fortune India 500 company.
In addition to being the Chairman of Marico, he is the Founder of Kaya Limited, which operates a chain of skin care clinics across India and the Middle East; Ascent Foundation, a peer learning entrepreneurial platform; Marico Innovation Foundation, which works to nurture innovations in India; Mariwala Health Initiative, which supports mental health causes; and Sharrp Ventures, which serves as his family office.
Harsh joined his family business, Bombay Oil Industries Ltd, in 1971 and started the company's consumer products business in 1975, taking its two major brands, Parachute coconut oil and Saffola refined oil, to the next level.
Along with an emphasis on advertising, marketing, human resources, and distribution, he introduced innovations including smaller packaging and the use of plastic bottles rather than metal tins to assist the two companies become market leaders in their respective sectors.
As he had limited autonomy in Bombay Oil Mills, he decided to start Marico as a separate entity which he envisioned to be a business to customer venture.
The company has acquired other consumer brands businesses in several countries and has also built a portfolio of brands in the hair care, skincare, edible oils, health foods, male grooming, & fabric care space. Its major brands include Saffola, Parachute, Hair & Care, Nihar, Livon, Set Wet, Mediker, & Revive.
Kaya, as a separate entity, had 107 skin care clinics, 82 of which were in India, and a portfolio of 54 skin care products.
He served as the President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in 2011. He has also held several positions as FMCG Committee Chairman of FICCI & CII.
He is a part of Young President Organization (YPO) & World Presidents Organization (WPO). He has held the position of YPO Education, Membership, & Chapter Chair.
Awards and accomplishments
Awards and accomplishments
Mariwala and Marico Ltd. have achieved over 100 awards in the last few years.
- The NDTV Profit ‘Best Business Leadership’ Award in the FMCG category, in 2007 and 2009
- The 2009 Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award in the Manufacturing category.
- The 2009 ‘Talent Management Award’ at the CNBC India Business Leader Awards.
- The Asia Pacific HRM Congress ‘CEO with HR Orientation – Global Excellence HR Award’ in 2007.
- The ‘Teacher’s Achievement Award in Business’ in 2006.
- Marico Ltd. was rated amongst ‘India’s Most Innovative companies’ by Business Today in 2008.
- ‘LifeTime Achievement Award’ by Indian Marketing Awards by exchange4media – 2016, 6th Injection Blow Pet and RotoMolding International Summit – 2018, All India Management Association (AIMA)- 2021 and ET Shark Awards (ET Brand Equity) – 2021.
- As of 2021, Mariwala has been ranked by Forbes as the ‘55th wealthiest Indian’.
- Harsh Realities, a book chronicling his entrepreneurial journey co-authored with veteran business consultant Ram Charan, was published in July 2021.
Why Harsh Mariwala?
With an entrepreneurial journey spanning across four decades, Harsh Mariwala’s accomplishments and contribution to Marico & Kaya is praiseworthy. He has not only built Marico into one of the leading FMCG companies in the country, but has also transformed a family-managed business into a professionally managed one. With the challenge of making a name for himself in a large family business, Harsh’s abilities demonstrate him to be a great leader as well.
