Unilever successfully completed acquiring 81.98 percent shares of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited (GSKBD) from Setfirst and has proposed to rename the company as Unilever Consumer Care Limited subject to necessary approvals.

The declaration was made after getting approval from the Board of Directors of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited (“Company”) at its 297th meeting held June 30, according to a press release.

KSM Minhaj’s new role as Managing Director will be in effect from July1, 2020.

Minhaj brings with him two decades of FMCG experience across multiple categories in Foods, Home and Personal Care, while leading both Marketing and Customer Development Functions as a member of the Management Committee of Unilever Bangladesh over the last 9 years.

He started his career at Nestle Bangladesh in 2000, doing stints in Supply Chain and Brand Management before joining Unilever in 2006.

He was one of the youngest Marketing Directors of the country in 2011, leading a marketing team that successfully reshaped the Laundry, Skin and Hair portfolio delivering both competitive and profitable growth.

The seeds of the future businesses like Water, Savory and Hand & Body were also sown in his leadership through introduction of brands like Pureit, Knorr and Vaseline.

In 2014, Minhaj was appointed Director of Sales & Customer Development at UBL. Over the last six years, he has successfully transformed the function, making it future-fit by driving execution excellence, expanding distribution base, and creating a fine blend of Go-to-Market talent.

The Board of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited was reconstituted post acquisition of 81.98 percent shares of GSKBD by Unilever Overseas Holdings B.V. and Masud Khan is reelected as the Chairman of the Board.

Unilever’s focus is to build a profitable and sustainable Nutrition business in Bangladesh and support government’s national agenda to combat malnutrition in all its forms.

Unilever Consumer Care Limited will continue as a public listed independent entity and all the brands of GSK Bangladesh (Horlicks, Boost, Glaxose-D) will continue to be a part of company’s portfolio.

KSM Minhaj said: “It will be a huge privilege to lead Unilever’s nutrition business in Bangladesh. I cannot help but celebrate the moment as two of the most respected global organizations operating in Bangladesh join hands to take the nutrition business to a greater height. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the Board for their confidence in me and wish to continue the great work done by my predecessors while taking the business ahead. I believe with such high quality of talent and purposeful brands we will be able to build an inspiring Foods & Refreshment business in Bangladesh."

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