Unilever Appoints Prakash Kakkad as Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary
Hindustan Unilever Limited appoints Prakash Kakkad as Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary, effective March 1, 2026.
Unilever Appoints Prakash Kakkad as Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary
Prakash Kakkad has been appointed as the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and Group Company Secretary (Group CS) of Unilever, UK, following the departure of Maria Varsellona. The appointment marks a significant leadership transition within the global consumer goods giant.
Kakkad, a 2008 alumnus of King’s College London, brings with him extensive experience as a senior legal and governance executive. Over the years, he has worked closely with boards and executive leadership teams, leading multi-jurisdictional legal functions and supporting business growth while managing risk and protecting long-term organizational value.
He has been associated with Unilever for the past two years, most recently serving as General Counsel – Corporate and Deputy Group Secretary. Prior to that, he held the role of General Counsel Corporate Governance & Group Corporate Legal, contributing significantly to strengthening Unilever’s global governance framework.
Expressing his gratitude on the appointment, Kakkad said,
"I’m honoured to have been appointed Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary of Unilever, and to be joining the Unilever Leadership Executive from 1 March 2026. When I first began my journey, I could never have contemplated an opportunity like this. Unilever is an organisation where potential, values and contribution matter, and where anything can be possible. I’m incredibly proud to work for Unilever, whose brands are part of everyday life for billions of people, and whose focus on growth, performance and long-term value is so clear."
He further acknowledged the contributions of outgoing CLO Maria Varsellona,
"I’m very grateful to Fernando Fernandez and the Board for their trust and confidence. I also want to thank Maria Varsellona for her outstanding leadership in building a strong, modern global legal organisation. Maria has had a profound personal impact on me, and I’m thankful for her guidance, integrity and example."
"I look forward to building on the foundations she has put in place - continuing to evolve the legal function to help accelerate growth while protecting value, in close partnership with our businesses around the world. Thank you to the many colleagues who have supported and challenged me along the way. I’m excited for what lies ahead - and for what we can achieve together."
Before joining Unilever, Kakkad held senior positions at leading global organizations including BHP, Barclays, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Herbert Smith Freehills, where he developed deep expertise in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic legal advisory.
He is also actively involved in the wider legal community and currently serves as a Non-Council Member of The Law Society’s Company Law Committee and a GC100 Member.
Kakkad will officially assume his new responsibilities on 1 March 2026, joining the Unilever Leadership Executive and overseeing the company’s global legal and governance strategy.
Unilever is a global leader whose brands—like Dove, Hellmann’s, and Rexona—are used by 3.4 billion people every day. Operating in 190 countries, the company thrives on innovation and a diverse, ambitious workforce. Unilever offers endless career opportunities for those looking to redefine markets and create a global impact.
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