Gulf Oil Expands India Leadership with Appointment of Abhijit Kulkarni as Chief Commercial Officer

Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd., a leading player in the lubricants industry announced the appointment of Mr. Abhijit Kulkarni as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). With over two decades of diverse experience across top-tier MNCs including Unilever, Castrol and Coca Cola, Mr. Kulkarni brings a wealth of expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, sales, and general management. In his new role, he will assume responsibility for overseeing Gulf Oil’s B2C and B2B business segments (excluding OEM), synergy, marketing, and will report directly to Mr. Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd.

Mr. Kulkarni joins Gulf Oil from Unilever, where he held several leadership positions over 16 years, including Cluster General Manager for Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam in the FMCG major’s ice cream business with P&L responsibilities. Throughout his career, he has led several high-impact initiatives, such as turning around Unilever’s Thailand ice cream business and launching premium brands like ‘Magnum’ in India. His strong business acumen, combined with his expertise in driving competitive growth, portfolio management, and building high-performance teams, will be instrumental in elevating Gulf Oil’s Channel business and aligning these key segments with the company’s broader commercial goals.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd., said, “We are delighted to welcome Abhijit Kulkarni to Gulf. His extensive leadership experience and proven track record in delivering accelerated business growth by driving brand, sales & marketing initiatives & contributing to the strategic agenda make him a valuable addition to our team. With his deep expertise across markets and sectors, I am confident that Mr. Kulkarni will bring fresh energy in our B2C and B2B profitable growth trajectory as we continue to expand our market shares.”

Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Abhijit Kulkarni said, “Gulf is an aspirational brand and its strong legacy and brand presence offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the company’s growth story. The company’s commitment to continuous innovation and excellence makes it an exciting time to join the organization. I look forward to working with the passionate team at Gulf Oil to deliver value to our customers, partners, and stakeholders.”

Mr. Kulkarni holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) and a Bachelor of Engineering from Government College of Engineering, Pune (COEP). His diverse leadership roles in both Indian and international markets have equipped him with a unique perspective on driving business success in dynamic environments.