Orkla India, a subsidiary of Orkla ASA, has appointed Murali S as the CEO of Eastern, a prominent player in Kerala's spices and masala market. This move aligns with Orkla India's recent restructuring into three business units Eastern, MTR, and international business.

Sanjay Sharma, CEO of Orkla India, expressed confidence in Murali's strategic acumen, expecting him to lead Eastern to new success in the Kerala market. Murali, currently CEO designate, will officially take over from Navas Meeran on April 1 and will be based in Cochin.

With a background in the telecommunications and consumer goods sectors spanning over three decades, Murali aims to strengthen Orkla India's presence in Kerala and drive innovation to enhance brand visibility in core geographies. His previous leadership roles include positions at companies like Blow Plast and Vodafone Idea, where he served as operations director and senior vice president.