DBT Bureau
Pune, 1 March 2025
Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd., a leading player in the lubricants industry, reported the appointment of Aarthy Sridhar as Chief Marketing Officer. With over 13 years of extensive experience in brand building and category leadership at Hindustan Unilever, Aarthy brings proven expertise in marketing strategy, portfolio transformation, and P&L management. In her new role, she will spearhead Gulf Oil’s marketing initiatives and brand strategy, driving the company’s continued transition towards becoming a marketing-driven organization.
Aarthy brings extensive FMCG expertise from her tenure at Hindustan Unilever, where she spearheaded strategic growth across multiple high-value portfolios including beauty, home care & ice creams. Her track record includes successful brand launches, category creation and driving premiumization and portfolio transformation across diverse brands such as Lakme, Surf excel, Comfort & Magnum.
Commenting on the appointment, Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO of Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd., said, “We are excited to welcome Aarthy Sridhar to the Gulf family. Her deep FMCG expertise and proven success in brand building align perfectly with our marketing excellence agenda. In today’s rapidly changing industry landscape, where customer expectations are continuously evolving, she brings a fresh perspective that will accelerate our transition from traditional industrial marketing to a more dynamic, consumer-centric approach. Aarthy’s proven track record in brand architecture, product innovation, and strategic portfolio management will be instrumental in strengthening Gulf Oil’s market position and brand equity.”
Speaking about her new role, Aarthy Sridhar said, “I am delighted to begin my journey with Gulf Oil at this transformative time. Gulf Oil’s storied heritage combined with its progressive outlook presents immense potential for growth. I look forward to applying my consumer-centric experience to strengthen Gulf Oil’s market presence, foster innovation, and build sustainable growth through a comprehensive marketing approach.”
Aarthy holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and a B.Tech in Information Technology from V.J.T.I. Mumbai. Her consistent track record of business transformation and expertise in modern marketing approaches will be crucial in elevating Gulf Oil’s brand presence and market share in an evolving industry landscape.
The appointment underscores Gulf’s commitment to strengthening its marketing capabilities to stay ahead of market dynamics and deliver superior value to its stakeholders while maintaining the brand’s heritage of trust and excellence in the lubricants industry. In her new role, she will report to Abhijit Kulkarni who has recently been appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer of the company.
