Jyothy Laboratories has said that it has appointed S Raghunandan as its new Chief Executive Officer and whole-time director. Mr. Raghunandan, who was working as the managing director at Reckitt Benckiser India, is expected to play a key role in turning around Henkel India, which was acquired by the company in 2011. It is believed that even as Mr. Raghunandan would have reached a global role at Reckitt, he would not enjoy a freedom of leadership. However, Jyothy has offered him a leading role in the company.

Mr. Raghunandan was working as chief executive officer of Ahmedabad-based Paras Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Reckitt in December 2010 for Rs3,260 crore. After the acquisition, he was appointed as managing director for Reckitt's India operations.

He even underwent six-month training at Reckitt's UK headquarters but he remained as the head of the company only for six weeks as Jyothy continued to attract him towards he company.

"This company can reach great heights in the coming years. Jyothy has a huge rural penetration and is a market leader or the number two player in all categories it is present in. With Henkel, too, a lot of work that can be done," Raghunandan said.