Ice cream maker Vadilal appoints Himanshu Kanwar as first non-family CEO

Vadilal Industries has named Himanshu Kanwar as its first non-family CEO, following a major restructuring to settle long-standing family matters within the promoter Gandhi family.

“Based on the recommendation of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee, the Board has appointed Himanshu Kanwar as the Chief Executive Officer and Key Managerial Personnel of the company, effective 29 September 2025,” the frozen dessert maker said in a regulatory filing.

“With his proven track record of building iconic brands and shaping new-age consumer ventures, Kanwar is widely recognized as a leader who can seamlessly bridge the worlds of established FMCG and emerging digital-first businesses,” Vadilal Industries said in its BSE filing.

Kanwar joins Vadilal from start-up scaling platform Xto10x, where he was General Manager, and previously spent 15 years at Unilever managing personal care and ice-cream businesses across various markets. 

Under the family settlement, the Gandhis separated ownership from management, staying on as promoters while professional managers take charge to boost shareholder value.

The ₹1,200-crore ice-cream and frozen food company, which competes with Amul and HUL’s Kwality Walls, announced the restructuring after months of discussions within the Gandhi family.

Under the restructuring, three promoter-owned entities—Vadilal International Private Limited (VIPL), Vadilal Finance Company Private Limited (VFCPL), and Veronica Constructions Private Limited (VCPL)—will be merged into Vadilal Industries. Bringing the brand under direct ownership will simplify royalty payments and streamline operations.

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At the time of restructuring, Vadilal also announced leadership changes, with Rajesh R. Gandhi and Devanshu L. Gandhi stepping down as managing directors after litigations were resolved, making way for professional management.

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