Radico Khaitan Elevates CFO Banthiya to Executive Director, Names Deputy CFO

A three-year board seat for CFO Dilip Kumar Banthiya, effective October 28, 2026, anchors Radico Khaitan Limited's leadership restructuring, with Saket Somani appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer on the same date. The Board approved both moves at its meeting on October 27, 2026, and both appointments remain subject to shareholder approval.

For finance practitioners, the significance lies in structure, not titles alone. Banthiya moves from CFO to Additional Whole-time Director, designated Executive Director & CFO — placing the finance chief inside the boardroom rather than reporting into it from outside.

What does the CFO's board seat change?

The company said the appointment integrates deep financial and capital allocation expertise directly into the highest decision-making forum. In practical terms, capital allocation (the process of deciding where the company deploys its money) now has a voice at the governance table rather than only in management committees.

Banthiya's tenure runs three years from October 28, 2026. His credentials explain the board's reasoning:

• Over 35 years of experience across corporate finance, M&A, international fund raising, and risk management
• More than 18 years with Radico Khaitan, leading the finance function and strengthening governance frameworks

That depth matters as the company pursues what it calls premium-led growth — a shift toward higher-priced products that changes working capital and margin planning.

What is the Deputy CFO's expanded mandate?

Saket Somani's elevation from Senior Vice President – Finance & Strategy gives him responsibility across four areas: strategy, financial planning, investor relations, and information technology. The company framed his appointment as preparation for future growth phases.

Somani brings his own record to the role:

• A Chartered Accountant with roughly 20 years in corporate finance, strategy, and investment banking
• Joined Radico Khaitan in 2020 as Senior Vice President – Finance & Strategy
• Oversaw financial planning, control, and investor relations in that role

How does the new structure divide responsibilities?

The redesign creates a clear split within the finance function. The Executive Director & CFO provides Board-level oversight, while the Deputy CFO leads financial planning and investor engagement.

Think of it as a two-tier model: governance and capital allocation sit with the board seat, execution and stakeholder communication sit with the deputy. For a listed company (Radico Khaitan trades on the BSE, where the announcement was filed), that separation typically sharpens accountability to investors.

Why now?

The company tied both appointments to its next phase of premium-led growth. Embedding finance leadership in the board and broadening the deputy's mandate across strategy and IT positions the finance function to support expansion rather than merely report on it.

The structure takes full effect October 28, 2026, pending shareholder approval of Banthiya's directorship.