After a long and successful tenure of over 21 years at Unilever, Anandi Shankar has moved to Reckitt as regional HR director South Asia.
Shankar, who has completed an MBA in Human Resource Management and Services from Syndenham Institute of Management Studies, started off her career with Unilever back in 2004.
She joined as business leadership trainee for a year and a half and was soon promoted to HR business partner customer development. Two years into this role she was elevated to employer brand manager, in 2008.
Another promotion made her HR business partner home and personal care in 2010. By 2012 she became organisational development manager, doubling up as executive assistant to the HRVP South Asia. By July of 2014 she was heading human resources supply chain for South Asia, partnering with supply chain employees across 30 locations in South Asia. From September of 2016 to February of 2019, she served as general manager human resources customer development. Two and a half years into this role, she was promoted to general manager-HR, post merger integration and change management. After a year of leading the HR and communications vertical for post merger integration for the HUL GSK proposed merger, she was promoted to general manager HR-talent, organisation and integration.
She was promoted to head-HR, beauty and personal care and nutrition, in July 2022. By December of 2023 she had relocated to London to take on the role of global head of learning. The last two years have been witness to Anandi
Shankar building skills and leaders that are Unilever’s competitive edge. She steered the learning and leadership development agenda, impacting 1,50,000 employees across 150 countries.
In her latest role at Reckitt, the multinational consumer goods company, Shankar will lead the people function for South Asia, while partnering with the business for growth.
HRKatha wishes Anandi Shankar all the best in this endeavour!



