Swiss FMCG giant Nestle SA has appointed India-born Nandu Nandkishore as the Executive Vice President for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East (ME) with effect from October 1, 2011.
"The Board of Directors appointed Nandu Nandkishore (as) Executive Vice President responsible for Zone Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East, effective 1 October, 2011," the Vevey (Switzerland) based firm said in a statement.
He will succeed Frits van Dijk, who is retiring in September after a long and distinguished career of 41 years with Nestle, it added.
Nandkishore, 52, currently Deputy Executive Vice President and responsible for Nestle Nutrition, acquired extensive practical business experience in a global context over his past 22 years with the group, the statement said.
He is an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and an electrical engineering graduate from IIT Delhi.
"The Board also appointed Kurt Schmidt Deputy Executive Vice President responsible for Nestle Nutrition, effective September 1, 2011, in succession to Nandu Nandkishore," it said.
Schmidt, 54, is currently Regional Business Head for Infant Nutrition and responsible for the coordination of Nestle Nutrition North America.
The company, which reported sales of 20.3 billion Swiss francs (around Rs 10,100 crore) in the first quarter of 2011, said its sales in Africa and Asia, which includes India, did well during the period under review.
"In ambient culinary, Maggi saw strong growth across its range, including noodles in India and seasonings in Africa and elsewhere," it said
Chocolate continued to perform well in many markets, including in China with 'Shark', and in India with 'Munch'. Growth was also strong in ambient dairy and ready-to-drink beverages among other categories, Nestle said.
