DEBABRATA MUKHERJEE TAKES CHARGE AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LOTTE INDIA

LOTTE India Corporation Ltd. (Havmor Ice Cream) has appointed Debabrata Mukherjee as its new Managing Director, marking a significant step toward its next phase of growth. Known for his strategic clarity and innovative leadership, Mukherjee is expected to drive fresh momentum, strengthen brand excellence, and accelerate the company’s long-term expansion plans.  

LOTTE India Corporation Ltd., the parent company of Havmor Ice Cream, has announced the appointment of Debabrata Mukherjee as its new Managing Director, marking a pivotal moment for the company as it prepares for an ambitious new phase of expansion and innovation. Mukherjee, a respected industry leader known for his strategic clarity, people-first leadership style and deep understanding of consumer markets, steps into the role with a mandate to accelerate growth, sharpen the company’s competitive edge and steer Havmor toward its next chapter of brand and product evolution.

Mukherjee’s appointment signals a renewed focus on building a future-oriented organisation—one that combines LOTTE’s global capabilities with Havmor’s strong equity in India’s highly competitive and rapidly evolving ice cream market. The decision reflects the company’s belief that the next phase of the category’s growth will demand a sharper strategic outlook, fresher thinking and the ability to innovate at scale. For LOTTE, which acquired Havmor in 2017, this leadership transition comes at a time when India’s ice cream sector is undergoing dramatic change driven by premiumisation, new entrants, shifting consumer behaviour and rising interest in novelty formats and experiential indulgence.

Known within the consumer goods industry for his clarity of vision and ability to build high-impact teams, Mukherjee brings decades of experience across leadership roles in India and international markets. His track record includes guiding legacy brands through transformation while nurturing a culture of creativity, collaboration and operational excellence. At LOTTE India Corporation, he is expected to infuse the organisation with fresh energy, encouraging bold thinking and a more aggressive approach to innovation—both in product development and in go-to-market strategy.

For Havmor Ice Cream, which has carved a strong identity rooted in craftsmanship, quality and joyful indulgence, Mukherjee’s leadership is expected to deepen the brand’s aspiration to become a national powerhouse. The brand has steadily grown its presence across India, expanding from its original Gujarat base to major metropolitan and mini-metro markets, while also building a network of Havfunn parlours and investing in modern manufacturing capacity. Mukherjee’s arrival is expected to accelerate this journey, strengthening the company’s ability to scale while retaining the consumer trust it has built over decades.

LOTTE India Corporation described the appointment as a milestone that aligns with its long-term ambition for the Indian market. According to the company, Mukherjee embodies the qualities essential for steering Havmor through a period where consumer expectations are shifting rapidly, competition is intensifying and innovation cycles are shortening. His leadership is seen as crucial in shaping a forward-looking organisation capable of anticipating trends, embracing new technologies and delivering products that resonate deeply with consumers seeking both value and experience.

The company also emphasises that Mukherjee’s approach to leadership—marked by openness, empathy and a belief in empowering teams—will play an important role in strengthening organisational culture. In an industry where frontline execution, agility and collaborative problem-solving are essential, LOTTE believes his style will help unlock new levels of performance and creativity across the business. Employees welcome the shift, viewing his arrival as a moment that could pave the way for new ideas, renewed purpose and a more cohesive growth strategy.

Mukherjee’s appointment comes at a time when the ice cream category is experiencing significant momentum driven by urbanisation, rising incomes, experimentation with global flavours and a younger consumer base that prefers premium offerings and experiences. The success of international trends—such as artisanal gelato, Korean-inspired desserts and experiential dining—has opened new opportunities in India for brands willing to innovate boldly. Havmor, which already has a reputation for novelty formats and beloved classics, aims to leverage this momentum under Mukherjee’s leadership to expand into newer territories, formats and distribution channels.

Technology, digital engagement and data-led insights are also expected to play a larger role as Havmor reimagines its consumer engagement. With India’s retail landscape shifting toward omnichannel models and quick-commerce platforms becoming key drivers of impulse categories like ice cream, Mukherjee’s strategic mind-set is expected to help Havmor sharpen its digital-first approach and build stronger, more personalised consumer relationships.

As LOTTE India Corporation looks ahead, the appointment of Debabrata Mukherjee reflects both confidence in his capabilities and the organisation’s readiness to explore new possibilities. His visionary outlook, combined with Havmor’s strong brand equity and LOTTE’s global backing, sets the stage for a bold new era. The company believes this leadership change will not only support its next phase of expansion but also reinforce its long-term commitment to delivering excellence, quality and innovation to millions of consumers across India.

For Mukherjee, the opportunity represents a meaningful new chapter—one that brings together his passion for building brands with his enthusiasm for shaping organisations that are dynamic, future-ready and deeply connected to the consumer. For Havmor and LOTTE India Corporation, his arrival marks the beginning of renewed determination: a moment to think bigger, innovate faster and strengthen their position as a leading force in India’s ever-evolving ice cream landscape.