Leo Puri, an Independent Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), has announced his resignation, effective June 30, 2025. Puri has been serving on HUL’s board and has also held positions on other boards, including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Fortis Healthcare. The reasons for his resignation are twofold. Firstly, he has taken on new board commitments, including a proposed appointment to the board of a global entity. Secondly, he is constrained by the overboarding criteria for Independent Directors, as per European Corporate Governance requirements.
With his resignation, Puri will cease to be the Chairperson of the Risk Management Committee, ESG Committee, and Independent Committee at HUL. He will also step down from his directorships in Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Fortis Healthcare. In his current role at Dr. Reddy’s, Puri chairs the Stakeholders Relationship Committee and serves on the Nomination, Governance, and Compensation Committee, as well as the Science, Technology, and Operations Committee. Additionally, he has recently been appointed as the Chairperson of Fortis Healthcare’s board.
In a letter, Puri clarified that his decision is solely based on increasing professional commitments, and there are no other material reasons for his departure. His resignation takes effect on June 30, 2025, and his responsibilities will be assumed by other directors on the board. Puri’s departure from HUL’s board marks the end of his tenure as a director, which has been marked by his active involvement in various committees and his contributions to the company’s governance and decision-making processes.