Parle Biscuits Appoints George Kovoor as First CEO

Parle Biscuits, India’s largest biscuits and confectionery maker, has appointed George Kovoor as its first ever chief executive officer, effective Sept. 1, strengthening its top leadership team as the company seeks to drive its next phase of growth.

Kovoor joins Parle after a career spanning more than three decades at PepsiCo, where he held roles across consumer businesses and markets.

“We welcome George and look forward to working closely with him to build on Parle’s strong foundation, strengthen our capabilities and open new opportunities for sustainable growth,” Ajay Chauhan, managing director of Parle Biscuits, said in a statement.

“As our business continues to evolve with the changing needs of Indian consumers, his ability to drive results, develop talent and navigate complex markets will be invaluable,” Chauhan said.

The appointment comes as Parle, founded in 1929 in Mumbai’s Vile Parle, looks to strengthen its leadership team amid intensifying competition in India’s packaged food market.

The privately held company sells biscuits and confectionery brands including Parle-G, Monaco, Krackjack, Hide & Seek and Melody. Parle-G is among the world’s largest-selling biscuit brands by volume.

Parle has a distribution network spanning more than 7.5 million retail outlets across India and has expanded its presence in international markets, including in Asia and Africa.