Interview Times 
Vivek Gupta will take over as Managing Director and CEO of United Breweries Limited (UBL), a HEINEKEN Company subsidiary, on September 25, 2023.
Vivek, aged 47, has an engineering degree and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
Vivek is a one-of-a-kind professional having both domestic Indian and international business and leadership expertise.
His extensive background in commercial and leadership roles in MNCs and new-age start-ups across foreign markets and India has provided him with a thorough grasp of go-to-market channels and the nuances of running complex businesses in both analogue and digital settings.
Vivek worked for P&G for almost twenty years in a variety of leadership and commercial capacities, spanning everything from mass market to high end products. Formerly, he oversaw operations at P&G’s Australian and New Zealand division as its Managing Director. He comes to UBL from Udaan.com, one of India’s unicorns with the quickest growth. While serving as Chief Business Officer, he was instrumental in developing India’s largest and most innovative e-B2B company.
Vivek will work closely with the rest of the UBL management team to ensure the company’s long-term success. To this end, he will spearhead the premiumization of UBL’s portfolio, working to elevate brands like Kingfisher to even greater prominence.
“We are thrilled to have Vivek lead UBL at such a critical time,” stated Jacco van der Linden, Regional President APAC of HEINEKEN and Member of the UBL Board. We admire his fortitude in developing successful companies and recognisable brands in a competitive and challenging market. He has extensive success in commercial and sophisticated enterprises in both analogue and digital settings, and he brings a wealth of worldwide expertise with him.
Independent Director Anand Kripalu said, “On behalf of the Board, we welcome Vivek, a youthful and yet seasoned leader for UBL. Our new CEO has the ideal balance of progressive thinking and respect for established norms. His direction should be invigorating, with the power to revolutionise and leave an indelible mark on the Indian beer market.
As the new Managing Director and CEO of UBL, Vivek Gupta, sums it, “It is an honour to stand on the shoulders of greatness and lead UBL into the future. I consider it a great honour to represent two of the world’s most recognised brands, Heineken® and India’s own Kingfisher beer. With the UBL’s guidance and the help of my coworkers, I’m excited for what the future holds.
