Blurb: ITC has named former NITI Aayog CEO and India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant as an independent director from January 2026, while reappointing long-serving executive Hemant Malik for an extended term on its board.
FMCG major ITC Ltd on Tuesday announced the appointment of former NITI Aayog chief executive and India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant as a director and independent director of the company for a five-year term, effective January 1, 2026.
In a separate decision, the company said it has reappointed senior executive Hemant Malik as a director and whole-time director for an additional two-year term beginning August 12, 2026, subject to the necessary approvals.
Amitabh Kant Joins ITC Board
Kant, 69, is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with over four decades of experience in public administration, governance reforms and public policy. He joined the IAS in 1980 in the Kerala cadre and most recently served as India’s G20 Sherpa during the country’s presidency in 2022–23.
Over the course of his career, Kant has held several key positions, including Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Chief Executive Officer of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, and Tourism Secretary to the Government of Kerala.
He is also a noted author, having written books such as Made in India, Incredible India 2.0 and Branding India – An Incredible Story, and is a recipient of multiple national and international awards. Kant currently serves on the boards of several leading companies, including HCL Technologies, Larsen & Toubro and InterGlobe Aviation.
Hemant Malik Reappointed as Whole-Time Director
ITC also announced the reappointment of Hemant Malik, 49, who currently serves as Divisional Chief Executive of the company’s Foods Business Division and oversees its Personal Care Products business.
Malik joined ITC in June 1989 after completing his BA (Hons) in Economics from Delhi University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. With more than 35 years at the company, he has held leadership roles across ITC’s tobacco, foods, trade marketing and distribution businesses.
According to a stock exchange filing, Malik played a key role in the launch and scale-up of several of ITC’s flagship brands, including Aashirvaad, Sunfeast, Bingo!, YiPPee! and Kitchens of India.
Extensive Leadership Experience
Before assuming charge of the Foods Business Division in October 2016, Malik served as Chief Executive of ITC’s Trade Marketing and Distribution vertical. He had earlier held the role of Chief Operating Officer for cigarette brands and the supply chain in the company’s India Tobacco Division.
Beyond ITC, Malik currently chairs the Food Processing Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Advertising Standards Council of India.
The latest board-level appointments underline ITC’s focus on strengthening leadership and governance as it continues to expand across its diversified FMCG portfolio.
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