Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, September 2025 – Hargovind Adhikari has been appointed as Director HR AMEA (Asia, Middle East & Africa) at AAK. In this regional leadership role, he will drive people strategies, talent development, and organizational effectiveness across AAK’s diverse operations in AMEA, supporting the company’s mission of “Making Better Happen™.”
Prior to joining AAK, Hargovind spent nearly five years with Mondelēz International, most recently serving as Global People Lead R&D & AMEA HR Lead R&D. In this role, he managed HR for global R&D teams across categories such as Beverages, Gum, Candy, Meals, Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs. He also played a key role in global mergers and acquisitions and in driving engagement planning for Mondelez’s worldwide R&D function. Earlier, as Global People Lead RDQ (BGCM), he was responsible for HR strategy across multiple categories within the global R&D organization.
Before Mondelez, he built a strong foundation at Citi over a decade, where he held multiple HR leadership roles. As Talent, Performance, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor for the Global Consumer Bank in India, he shaped learning, OD, and diversity strategies. Earlier, as HR Lead – Strategy & Planning, South Asia, he partnered with the CHRO to drive HR strategy across India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. He also held roles as HR Generalist Lead Business Partner across Citi’s Commercial Bank, Cards, Personal Loans, SME, and Retail businesses, where he focused on talent pipelines, employee relations, and leadership development.
Hargovind’s career began at Aon Hewitt, where he worked as a Consultant and later Senior Consultant, supporting clients across industries on HR strategy, compensation, performance management, and organizational design. He also gained early experience as an intern with Ernst & Young, focusing on organizational design for the insurance sector.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management & Labour Relations from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), equipping him with advanced capabilities in strategic HR leadership and organizational transformation.
About AAK
AAK is a global leader in plant-based oils and fats, delivering value-adding ingredients that make products taste better, healthier, and more sustainable. With a strong focus on customer co-development, AAK serves industries including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice, and Personal Care.
Headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, AAK employs over 4,100 people worldwide and operates through 25 regional sales offices, 16 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and more than 20 production facilities. For 150 years, AAK has been committed to its vision of Making Better Happen™ by combining innovation, sustainability, and close customer collaboration.
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