Godrej’s succession 2.0 set in motion

Eldest son of Nadir Godrej set to join Godrej Agrovet, second son to focus on chemicals business

After the leadership change at the ~9,242-crore listed Godrej Consumer Products, attention has shifted to the unlisted companies within Godrej group. Godrej Agrovet, led by Nadir Godrej, younger brother of group chairman Adi Godrej, will see the next generation step in shortly.

Burjis Godrej, 25, and eldest son of Nadir, who is chairman of Godrej Agrovet, will join the company in July as part of succession planning initiated by the group. Second son Sohrab, 23, who is already part of Godrej Industries, the holding company of the Godrej group, will focus his attention on the chemicals business. Youngest son Hormusji, 21, would be inducted into the group later, persons in the know told Business Standard.

Nadir Godrej was not immediately available for comments. Godrej Agrovet is estimated to have an annual turnover of ~4,000 crore, while the chemicals business is estimated to be ~1,100 crore in size. The chemicals business is among the group's oldest businesses, making compounds for detergents, skin care, beauty products, hair care and pharmaceuticals.

Godrej Agrovet has operations in dairy, animal feed, oil palm plantations and poultry besides farm inputs.

Another unlisted group firm Godrej & Boyce, which makes locks, cupboards and home appliances, already has the next generation in place.

Chairman Jamshyd Godrej’s son, Navroze, 35, has been part of Godrej & Boyce for some time as executive director in charge of strategy and innovation. Like cousins Nisaba, 38, and Pirojsha, 36, who are children of Adi Godrej, Navroze was being groomed to succeed his father, persons in the know said.

On Tuesday, Godrej Consumer Products announced Nisaba was taking over as executive chairperson effective Wednesday. Pirojsha had taken over as executive chairman of Godrej Properties on April 1 this year. Tanya Dubash, 48, the eldest daughter of Adi Godrej, is chairperson of Godrej Nature's Basket, the retail unit of the group.

The 120-year-old group had followed a similar strategy when Adi Godrej, his brother Nadir and cousin Jamshyd had taken over the reins from their parents around four decades ago.

In recent years, the group has formed a Godrej Family Council to aid in succession planning and to ensure the transition is smooth. The group will continue to have professional chief executive officers running company operations who will report to family members in charge of the respective companies.