There's always a new learning curve: Mohit Malhotra signs off from Dabur

Mohit Malhotra, who last week announced his decision to resign as Global Chief Executive Officer and Whole-time Director of Dabur India, has penned an emotional note on LinkedIn looking back at his 32-year-long journey with the company.

“32 years. One company. A lifetime of friendships. In 1994, I walked into Dabur India Limited as a young Management Trainee, with a degree, plenty of confidence and the dangerous belief that I knew how businesses should be run. Dabur cured me of that very quickly.

  What followed was the journey of a lifetime: From India to Europe; Bangladesh to Egypt; the Middle East, Turkey, the US, Africa, and finally back home to lead Dabur globally. We built the India business from just Rs 250 crores to over Rs 10,000 crores and the international business from scratch to over Rs 2,500 crore across 100+ markets. We came through the Arab Spring, tough audits and COVID, and came out stronger every time.

  The biggest lesson? Businesses don't overcome crises. People do. People who refuse to panic, who take ownership, and who send the CEO a WhatsApp at 11 pm that begins "Sir, small issue… ho jayega!" And it always did.

To young professionals: don't plan every step. Take the difficult assignment. Learn more from the setbacks than you worry about the blame. And stay curious. The day you think you're the smartest person in the room is the day you stop learning.

 I came to Dabur hoping to build businesses. I leave having built friendships, and those don't come with a retirement date. As I step into my next chapter in Dubai, I carry the same butterflies I had on Day 1 in 1994. Perhaps that's a good thing: there's always a new learning curve.

Malhotra joined Dabur in 1994 as a management trainee and held several sales and marketing roles before taking charge of its European Union business in 2001. He moved to Dubai in 2004 to head marketing for the international business and became CEO of Dabur International in 2008.

During his time leading the international business, Dabur made its first overseas acquisitions, buying Turkey’s Hobi Kozmetik Group and US-based Namaste Laboratories. The deals broadened Dabur’s personal care portfolio and extended its reach in international markets.

Malhotra went on to head Dabur’s India business before succeeding Sunil Duggal as CEO of Dabur India on April 1, 2019. He was reappointed for a five-year term running through January 2029. In February 2026, Dabur redesignated him as Global CEO and appointed Herjit Singh Bhalla to lead the India business, reporting to him.

Dabur’s brand strategy under Malhotra

As CEO, Malhotra put established brands such as Dabur Red Paste, Dabur Amla, Réal, Dabur Honey and Dabur Chyawanprash at the centre of the company’s marketing and distribution strategy. He also made reaching younger consumers a priority, with a focus on developing new formats and uses for Dabur’s Ayurvedic products.

His tenure saw Dabur expand its foods portfolio with the acquisition of a 51% stake in Badshah Masala, completed in January 2023. The deal gave Dabur a foothold in branded spices and an opportunity to bring Badshah into its wider distribution network.

Dabur also began using online channels to test new brands and products. In 2025, it launched Siens, a direct-to-consumer supplements brand, through Amazon and its own online store. Malhotra identified quick commerce as a driver of online sales and a channel for introducing premium products.

Dabur has yet to name a successor to Malhotra as Global CEO. Whole-time Director P D Narang will continue to oversee international operations. Bhalla will continue to lead the India business and join the board as a Whole-time Director from November 14.