Independent consulting to Consumer Healthcare (Food & Beverages and Over The Counter Medicine) Industry in the area of overall R&D strategy and management; Alignment of R&D effort priorities to the Business Vision, Restructuring R&D Organisation and Capacity Building; Cost & Product Innovation Processes; Claims generation; Regulatory Strategy.

Lead the integeration of Global R&D operations in India with the R&D operations of the Indian business alongwith the change in reporting from local business to centrally within the Global R&D management.

As Executive Vice President R&D and Regulatory Affairs, I established a strong, best in class R&D organisation that successfully delivered: several new products using different processing technologies (Extrusion, Spray Drying, HTST, Baking, Forming, etc.); successful major re-launches of mega brands like Horlicks & Boost; cost innovation projects delivering over ₤5m worth of annualised savings; a landmark Nutritional Clinical Study conducted through National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad – testing impact of nutritional supplement on physical and mental performance. With responsibilities covering R&D and Regulatory Affairs for the Indian Sub Continent as well as innovation for the Horlicks brand globally, I have a broad and unique experience of innovation leadership and product development for India and other East Asian markets.• As member of the India Executive Team, played a key role in formulating the strategic vision for the company leading to strong double digit CAGR.• Developed a critical talent pool and built capability in the R&D organization; this coupled with re-engineering of the R&D processes, doubled R&D productivity• Member of key Food Regulatory Committees at the national level (Scientific Panel for Labelling and Claims/ Advertisement)• Lead Crisis Management Teams

Overall responsibility for the development and implementation of R&D strategy for India, providing organisation and infrastructure to deliver a significantly enhanced NPD programme, ensuring that the R&D efforts are aligned to business key drivers; manage external relations with KOLs in the scientific arena (Nutrition and Food Reseach). • Expanded and relocated R&D to Delhi to help recruit talent.• Delivered Horlicks extensions in Junior and Mothers segments.• Introduction of Oral care products under Aquafresh brand.• Leading edge packaging innovations on Horlicks & Boost brand.• Modernising processing technology for a mega Nutritional brand.• Development of ‘Horlicks 3-In-1’ for launch in East Asia.

As a single point liaison from R&D with the International Markets on Nutritional Brands (Horlicks, Ribena & Lucozade), responsible for screening & prioritising development requests from markets to brief Central R&D teams for undertaking developments; get their buy-in for key R&D projects to maximise return on R&D investment; provide scientific and Regulatory inputs on claims and approve final communications.• Championed RTD Horlicks project for launch in Asian Markets• Implemented Horlicks reformulation with savings worth > ₤1m

Responsible for setting up and manage an R&D facility for development of Cosmetics, Oralcare and OTC Medicine products from global product portfolio for launch in India• Developed and launched a range of shampoos, toothpaste and Anti-dandruff variant of Brylcreem; significantly enhanced formulation and packaging for Brylcreem and Silvikrin range• Reformulated ENO (Antacid Powder) with significantly enhanced efficacy and profitability