Harsh Mariwala – Keynote Speaker

Harsh Mariwala is the Chairman of the Board, and Managing Director of Marico Ltd. He is an innovative and award-winning leader, renowned for maintaining Marico’s business at a sustainable and profitable growth pace.

In three decades Mariwala transformed a traditional commodity driven business, into a leading consumer products and services company in the beauty and wellness sector. In 2012 Marico’s products and services in hair care, skin care and health foods generated an annual turnover of Rs.4550 crores, compared to a turnover of Rs.50 Lakhs in 1971. Today one out of three Indians is a Marico consumer, and Marico has also established strong consumer franchises in its overseas markets in Asia and Africa, increasing its revenue 10 fold over the last 7 years.

Mariwala and Marico Ltd. have achieved over 100 awards in the last few years. Mariwala received; the 2009 Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award in the Manufacturing category; the 2009 ‘Talent Management Award’ at the CNBC India Business Leader Awards; the NDTV Profit ‘Best Business Leadership’ Award in the FMCG category, in 2007 and 2009; the Asia Pacific HRM Congress ‘CEO with HR Orientation – Global Excellence HR Award’ in 2007; and the ‘Teacher’s Achievement Award in Business’ in 2006. Marico Ltd. was rated amongst ‘India’s Most Innovative companies’ by Business Today in 2008.

Mariwala was the President of The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2011. He has served as a Non Executive Director to many leading companies, including Cadbury India Ltd, Unichem Laboratories Ltd., MIRC Electronics Ltd., and MIC Electronics Ltd. Mariwala is also a part of the Young President Organization (YPO) and World Presidents Organization (WPO), and has held the position of YPO Education, Membership and Chapter Chair.

His entrepreneurial drive and passion for innovation, prompted him to establish the Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF) in 2003. MIF plays the role of a catalyst for innovation in India, through its awards scheme, as well as cutting edge research, knowledge creation and dissemination. He also launched ASCENT – Accelerating the Scaling up of Enterprises, to identify growth-stage entrepreneurs with potential, and support them on their journey to success.