Manwani will leave current position as COO of Unilever PLC.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Harish Manwani has been elected to the Board of Directors at Qualcomm Inc., one of the leading mobile and wireless technology companies in the world.
A 35-year veteran of the industry, Manwani’s election was announced on Monday morning. By taking up his new position with Qualcomm, Manwani will be abdicating his current job as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Unilever PLC, a Europe-based consumer goods company whose products are sold worldwide.
“We are pleased to welcome Harish as a member of Qualcomm’s Board of Directors,” said Paul Jacobs, Chairman of the Board at Qualcomm. “His experience managing Unilever’s global businesses, and particularly his expertise in emerging regions and consumer products, brings insights to Qualcomm’s board as advances in wireless technologies enable new industries and geographies.”
Manwani earned his bachelor’s degree from Mumbai University, then went to the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies for his master’s degree. He joined the Hindustan Lever Company in 1976, eventually becoming a board member and overseeing the company’s efforts in Central Asia and the Middle East.
In 2001, he became the Senior Vice-President of Global Hair Care and Oral Care for Unilever. Three years later, Manwani was appointed President, Home and Personal Care portfolio in North America, and in 2005, he became the President for Asia, Africa, Middle East and Turkey. Manwani has also served as President, Home and Personal Care in Latin America, and was also Chairman of Unilever’s Latin America Advisory Council.
In addition to his titles with Unilever, Manwani is on the Board of Directors for Whirlpool Corporation, Pearson PLC, and also serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of Hindustan Unilever Ltd. He is also a Director of The Economic Development Board in Singapore, and a member of the Executive Board of the Indian School of Business.