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Anand Kripalu Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth2 October 1958

Age64 Years

BirthplaceMumbai, Maharashtra

ProfessionBusinessman

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSukanya Kripalu

FamilyTwo sons: Saurav Kripalu and Abhinav Kripalu

Anand Kripalu Biography

Anand Thirumalachar Kripalu is an Indian businessman and senior corporate leader with a long career across consumer goods and beverages. Born in Mumbai in

Early life and background

Anand Thirumalachar Kripalu was born on 2 October 1958 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He grew up in a family where his father served in government service and experienced schooling in multiple cities. His early education included time in London, followed by schooling in Delhi and Lucknow, where he attended La Martiniere College for part of his studies. He completed school at St. Columba’s School, New Delhi, and later pursued higher education at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, followed by an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata. He also attended an Advanced Management Program at The Wharton School.

Career

Kripalu began his professional life in sales, initially working at DCM Data Products selling computers, and later at Ponds India. In 1983 he joined Hindustan Unilever in the sales and marketing team and remained with the company for 22 years, rising to senior leadership and serving as head of marketing. His work there included a posting as Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 2005 he moved to Cadbury, where he was appointed Managing Director in India. During his time with Cadbury he led initiatives to improve growth and reduce promotional spend, and later became Asia President. Under his leadership Cadbury India recorded notable performance improvement and launched products and campaigns that won industry awards.

Kripalu joined Mondele9z International in March 2010 as President for India and South East Asia. He also served on the board of Marico Limited as a non-executive director from 2007 to 2017.

In 2013 he became Managing Director and CEO of Diageo India and was a member of Diageoe28099s Global Executive Committee. During his tenure he introduced changes in hiring practices and navigated regulatory challenges unique to the alcoholic beverages industry. In 2014 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of United Spirits.

His role in sports administration emerged in October 2020 when he was named Chairman of the Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. In August 2021 Kripalu took on the role of Managing Director and Global CEO of EPL Limited (Essel Propack Limited), a company backed by Blackstone. He described EPL as a multinational consumer company with strengths in innovation and sustainability and spoke of working closely with investors and the board to create value for stakeholders.

Kripalu also serves as Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies and in March 2019 became a member of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Management Jammu and Kashmir. In September 2022 he made an investment in Superfoods Valley, a Bangalore-based nutrition and food-tech startup.

Public profile

Kripalu is known for a disciplined approach to fitness and maintains a regular workout routine. His time leading Royal Challengers Bangalore deepened his interest in cricket and fitness. He has been recognized within industry circles: in 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Millers Association (IMA).

Personal life

Anand Kripalu is married to Sukanya Kripalu, who was his classmate at IIM Kolkata and serves as a director at Sukanya Consulting. She also sits on boards of several large companies. The couple have two sons, Saurav and Abhinav. His father, Thirumalachar Kripalu, is a retired brigadier, and his mother is Ammanni Kripalu. He has a brother, Vinod Kripalu.

Latest updates

In 2020 Diageo India, the company Kripalu led, contributed resources to pandemic relief efforts, including donations of extra neutral alcohol for sanitiser production and protective equipment for healthcare workers. In August 2021 he assumed leadership of EPL Limited as Managing Director and Global CEO. In 2022 he invested in a food-tech startup based in Bangalore.

Kripalu continues to be active in corporate leadership roles, industry bodies, and a small number of directorships, maintaining a public profile that bridges consumer goods, beverages and sports administration.
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Recent Work

Managing Director and Global CEO, EPL Limited (Essel Propack Limited)

Appointed Managing Director and Global CEO of EPL Limited, a multinational consumer company backed by Blackstone.

2021
Chairman, Royal Challengers Bangalore

Appointed chairman of the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

2020
Managing Director and CEO, Diageo India / CEO, United Spirits

Led Diageo India as Managing Director and CEO and served as CEO of United Spirits.

2013-2014
Investment in Superfoods Valley

Invested in a Bangalore-headquartered nutrition and food-tech startup.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Head of marketing and long-term senior leader at Hindustan Unilever
  2. Managing Director, Cadbury India and later Asia President
  3. President, Mondele9z International for India and South East Asia
  4. Managing Director and CEO, Diageo India; CEO, United Spirits
  5. Chairman, Royal Challengers Bangalore
  6. Managing Director and Global CEO, EPL Limited
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Anand Kripalu born?

2 October 1958

What is Anand Kripalu known for?

Businessman

What is Anand Kripalu’s marital status?

Married

Who is Anand Kripalu married to?

Sukanya Kripalu