Britannia Industries , a leading FMCG company in India, has announced the appointment of Rajesh Kumar Batra as an Additional Non-Executive Independent Director. The appointment, which is subject to shareholder approval, is for a five-year term starting from August 25, 2025, to August 24, 2030.

Board Approval and Appointment Process

The Board of Directors of Britannia Industries approved the appointment through a circular resolution on August 23, 2025, at 9:07 P.M. IST. This decision was based on the recommendation of the company's Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The appointment will be put to a vote through a postal ballot, allowing shareholders to have their say in this significant corporate governance move.

About Rajesh Kumar Batra

Rajesh Kumar Batra brings a wealth of experience to his new role at Britannia Industries:

• He is a second-generation entrepreneur and currently serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of Cravatex Limited.
• Batra completed his schooling at Campion School, Mumbai, and graduated from Elphinstone College in 1975.
• He holds a Diploma in Systems Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute, obtained in 1978.
• Batra is the son of Late Mr. Ram Batra, a prominent businessman and former sheriff of Mumbai.
• He currently serves as an Independent Director on the boards of two other listed companies.
• Batra is actively involved in philanthropic activities, serving as a trustee on several charitable trusts.
• He promotes sports through the Ram Batra Memorial Foundation.

Independence and Compliance

In line with regulatory requirements, Britannia Industries has confirmed that Rajesh Kumar Batra is not related to any existing director of the company. This appointment adheres to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Listing Regulations, 2015, ensuring the independence of the board.

Furthermore, the company has stated that Batra is not debarred from holding the office of Director by virtue of any order from SEBI or any other authority, as per the circulars issued by BSE and NSE in June 2018.

Implications for Britannia Industries

The appointment of Rajesh Kumar Batra as an Independent Director is expected to bring fresh perspectives to Britannia Industries' board. His extensive experience in entrepreneurship, corporate governance, and philanthropic activities could potentially contribute to the company's strategic decisions and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on this appointment through the upcoming postal ballot, the details of which will be circulated by the company in due course.

Britannia Industries , a leading Indian food products corporation, is reevaluating its pricing strategy following a setback in its cake segment. The company's decision to increase cake prices from Rs 10 to Rs 15 in February has resulted in unexpected volume and revenue losses, prompting a reassessment of its approach.

Price Hike Impact

Executive Vice-Chairman Varun Berry acknowledged that the price increase, implemented to counter rising costs of palm oil and cocoa, has backfired. The cake segment, which previously showed promising growth, is now experiencing single-digit growth rates. This stands in stark contrast to the company's bread segment, which continues to perform well.

Financial Performance

Despite the challenges in the cake category, Britannia Industries reported mixed financial results:

The consolidated profit fell short of analyst estimates of Rs 568.95 crore.

Strategic Outlook

Britannia believes it has addressed most inflationary pressures through previous price increases. Moving forward, the company is focusing on:

1. Reassessing its pricing strategy, particularly in the cake segment
2. Implementing territorial competition strategies
3. Anticipating stable commodity prices in the near future

Market Implications

The company's experience highlights the delicate balance between managing costs and maintaining market share in the competitive food industry. As Britannia navigates this challenge, investors and industry observers will be watching closely to see how the company adapts its strategy to regain momentum in the cake segment while maintaining growth in other product lines.

Britannia's situation serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in pricing decisions, especially in price-sensitive markets. The company's ability to quickly recognize and address the issue demonstrates its responsiveness to market dynamics, which will be crucial as it works to optimize its product pricing and maintain its strong position in the Indian food products market.