Nikhil Rao

Nikhil Rao is a seasoned senior commercial leader with an extensive 24-year career in the FMCG industry. His professional journey has spanned global, regional, and BU roles across diverse regions, including India, SEA, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Europe. Nikhil brings a wealth of functional expertise encompassing Marketing, Creative, Strategy, Digital, Product Innovation, Sales, and eCommerce.

His deep category knowledge extends to Chocolate, Bakery, Beverages, Gum & Candy, and Meals. As an adaptable and effective business leader, Nikhil has consistently delivered outstanding results throughout his career. His passion lies in generating both strategic and creative ideas that transform brands, ultimately enhancing consumers' lives.

In his former role at Mondelēz, Nikhil Rao envisioned the company as "the undisputed leader in snacking in Southeast Asia." With a remarkable portfolio of beloved brands and a dedicated, capable team, he aimed for nothing less than reaching the pinnacle of success. Nikhil's journey has been marked by significant milestones, having spent over 22 years at Cadbury, Kraft, and Mondelēz.

He began his leadership journey as VP of marketing at Cadbury in Mumbai, overseeing a diverse portfolio that included Cadbury Dairy Milk, 5Star, Gems, Bournville, Celebrations, and Bytes. This was followed by roles at Kraft Foods Group and a return to Mondelēz, where he served as Cadbury's global brand equity director, working from both London and Zurich. Subsequently, Nikhil relocated to Singapore to take on the roles of regional marketing director for chocolate and regional marketing director for gum and candy in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions.