Unilever veteran appointed as co-head of India branch at Sugar Cosmetics' investor, L Catterton
In a strategic move to capitalise on the growing consumer market in India, global consumer-focused investment firm L Catterton has announced the launch of its maiden India-focused fund. The fund, which aims to invest in mid-market companies across various consumer sectors, is poised to capture market share and enlarge the pie, according to Sasidharan.
The fund primarily targets investments in sectors such as restaurants, branded retail, healthcare-led services, and food and beverages. L Catterton plans to make around seven to nine investments within these categories, focusing on companies with sustainable competitive advantages amid long-term consumer trends and structural tailwinds in India.
L Catterton's unrivaled proficiencies in the sector, further amplified by the appointment of Vikram Kumaraswamy as a partner and co-head of India operations, make it well-positioned to be the partner of choice for founders and management teams seeking to build enduring brands and capabilities.
Kumaraswamy, a former executive at Unilever PLC Group, brings extensive experience in strategic capital allocation and portfolio development to L Catterton. Most recently, he served as the group's global head of corporate development and treasury in London. Prior to this, he held positions such as chief financial officer of PT Unilever Indonesia, vice president of mergers and acquisitions, and home care category finance director at various locations.
The firm's India-focused fund has already made significant strides, with investments in notable consumer brands such as Sugar Cosmetics. This reflects L Catterton's broader strategy of investing in well-positioned consumer businesses within the Indian market.
L Catterton, which manages approximately $37 billion across private equity, credit, and real estate platforms, typically invests between $5 million and $5 billion in these consumer-focused businesses. The firm has a team of over 200 investment and operating professionals across 18 offices.
Kumaraswamy, who will work closely with Sanjiv Mehta, Anjana Sasidharan, and the L Catterton Asia and global leadership teams, expressed his excitement to return to India at a time when the consumer market is becoming increasingly discerning and organized.
With its strategic investments and experienced leadership, L Catterton's India fund is set to be a key player in the Indian consumer market, partnering with founders to build strong brands and capitalise on growth trends.
The investment focus of L Catterton's India-focused fund primarily lies in sectors like finance (capital allocation and portfolio development), technology (strategic decisions and financial management), business (building enduring brands and capabilities), and investing (investing in consumer businesses).
With its strategic investments, experienced leadership, and focus on key sectors, L Catterton aims to be a significant player in the Indian consumer market, partnering with founders to create strong brands and capitalize on growth trends.
