Gulf Oil Lubricants India has appointed Abhijit Kulkarni as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In this role, he will assume responsibility for overseeing Gulf Oil’s B2C and B2B business segments (excluding OEM), synergy, marketing.
He will report directly to Ravi Chawla, Managing Director (MD) and CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India. With over two decades of experience across top-tier MNCs including Unilever, Castrol and Coca Cola, Kulkarni brings an expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, sales, and general management.
He joins Gulf Oil from Unilever, where he held several leadership positions over 16 years, including Cluster General Manager for Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam in the FMCG major’s ice cream business with P&L responsibilities.
Throughout his career, he has led several initiatives, such as turning around Unilever’s Thailand ice cream business and launching premium brands like ‘Magnum’ in India. His business acumen, combined with his expertise in driving competitive growth, portfolio management, and building high-performance teams, will be instrumental in elevating the company’s Channel business and aligning these key segments with its broader commercial goals, as per the company.
Kulkarni’s leadership roles in both Indian and international markets have equipped him with a unique perspective on driving business success in dynamic environments.
Speaking on his appointment, Kulkarni said, “Gulf is an aspirational brand and its strong legacy and brand presence offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the company’s growth story. The company’s commitment to continuous innovation and excellence makes it an exciting time to join the organisation. I look forward to working with the passionate team at Gulf Oil to deliver value to our customers, partners, and stakeholders.”
Commenting on the appointment, Chawla said, “We are delighted to welcome Abhijit Kulkarni to Gulf. His extensive leadership experience and proven track record in delivering accelerated business growth by driving brand, sales and marketing initiatives and contributing to the strategic agenda make him a valuable addition to our team. With his deep expertise across markets and sectors, I am confident that Kulkarni will bring fresh energy in our B2C and B2B profitable growth trajectory as we continue to expand our market shares.”
