Dadiseth, 55, who is in the midst of formulating the `dream' Project Millennium for the company, will be inducted on the executive committee of the $50 billion Anglo-Dutch parent Unilever. A resolution to this effect will be presented before Unilever shareholders on May 3 this year at an annual general meeting to be held in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

Operationally, Banga will be instrumental in steering the FMCG giant into the new millennium and to implement Project Millennium in the years to come.Banga, 46, comes back to HLL after a year's stint with Unilever at the post of senior vice-president, Haircare, Oral care and HPC (home and personal care) category, Unilever, based in London.

Unilever plc announced the development in London on Tuesday. Among other changes, HLL director (personal products) Harish Manwani, 46, will move over to Unilever in place of Banga once the latter becomes HLL chairman. Besides, Arun Adhikari (48), who is currently HLL's divisional vice-president, marketing (detergents), has become the head of HLL's personal products division, which is considered the growth driver for the FMCG major.

Banga, an early entrant on HLL's board at the age of 41, was elevated to the current post in London early last year. Prior to this, he was director (detergents) at HLL. A B-tech from IIT Delhi, and a post-graduate diploma holder in business management from IIM-Ahmedabad, Banga joined HLL in 1977, and has risen through the ranks after serving in various departments of sales and marketing in personal products and detergents. In 1993, Banga elevated as general manager in charge of personal products. A year later, he became the divisional vice-president of the personal products division.

Both Banga and Manwani joined the company around the same time and were considered the ``bright sparks'' possessing unique qualities of leadership. Manwani and Banga, having etched out excellent track records, were running a close race to the top post. With age on his side, Banga is said to be aiming for a full term -- usually five years, at least -- as HLL chairman, point out industry observers.

Meanwhile, Dadiseth has been asked to undertake a review of Unilever's top organisation and submit a report in the next three months.

Says Dadiseth, the outgoing chairman, on his successor: ``Vindi is an outstanding anager and I am certain that under his stewardship he will take Hindustan Lever to new heights. I warmly congratulate him and wish him all success in his new responsibilities.''

After taking over the baton from former chairman SM Datta who propelled HLL's growth in India through a massive mergers and acquisition drive, Dadiseth had a challenging task ahead. While continuing with the M&A spree, Dadiseth fuelled the growth of the company to catapult its gross turnover to over Rs 10,000 crore in 1998. During his tenure as chairman -- which saw the company storm through bad times like the infamous insider trading issue -- HLL has emerged as the country's fastest growing consumer goods company.

Dadiseth was instrumental in mega M&A deals such as the acquisition of Lakme's stake in Lakme-Lever Ltd, the merger of Pond's India with the company and the recent acquisition of Modern Foods. The company's current turnover stands at Rs 9,481.85 crore. When Dadiseth was pronounced chairman, the group's turnover in India was over Rs 5,000 crore. Dadiseth, joined HLL in 1973. During these 27 years with the company, he has worked in various operations within the company. Seconded to Unilever plc in 1984, he held senior financial and commercial positions.

On his return to India in 1987, Dadiseth joined the management committee of HLL as vice-president (personnel) in 1989. Dadiseth firmly believes that HLL is a ``people's company'' and that its employees are its greatest strenght -- indicating that a people-led initiatives is to be watched for under Project Millennium. ``In the ultimate analysis, a company is nothing but a collective intellect. The dynamism we wish to inculcate in our organisation is proportional to the dynamism we unlock in the minds of our employees. Businesses are ultimately built by the spirit of the women and the men behind them, fired with the capability and desire to succeed,'' says Dadiseth.

DADISETH'S INNINGS :