Harish Devarajan
Harish has more than 35 years of experience in the corporate and consulting sectors. He started his professional career with TVS Sundram Fasteners Ltd. in 1985.
In 1989, he joined Hindustan Lever Ltd., India’s leading multi-national company and has worked in different roles across functions.
Harish has been involved in the management, review and launch of various HR processes, policies and systems. As part of the management development efforts in Hindustan Unilever Ltd., he has been personally involved in training, mentoring and coaching Senior managers on leadership skills, team building and performance development.. He was the Head – Employee Relations in HUL (2001 – 2004). As Vice President – HR, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (2004 -2007), Harish was responsible for the entire HR function across South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal). As the CHRO of Hindustan Unilever Limited, Harish was also a member of the HUL Management Committee between 2004 and 2007.
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Harish has rich experience in Change management in a global business context, having worked in Unilever plc. at UK as a Global project manager – Enterprise Culture (1999-2001) and having worked as the Vice President – HR Services, (2007-2008) when he managed a major transformation agenda in 40 countries across 3 continents (Asia, Australia, Africa).
Harish has been a free-lance Organisation Consultant and Leadership Coach since 2008, when he started his own consulting practice company 'People Unlimited' providing support in the areas of Organisation Performance and Leadership Effectiveness. He has been an Associate Coach with Centre for Creative Leadership (CCL), a world renowned leadership development organisation. He was accredited by the Centre for Credentialing & Education as a Board Certified Coach (BCC). He was a Senior Fellow, Human Capital of The Conference Board. He is accredited by the International Coach Federation, USA as a Master Certified Coach (MCC).
Harish is an Advisory Board member for a couple of start-up companies and Civil Society Organisations (CSO). He served as an Independent Director on the board of Bank of India from 2104 to 2015 and from 2017 to 2020.
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Harish is a past President of the National HRD Network, Bangalore Chapter and he was the convener of the NHRD Network’s 15th National Conference held in Bangalore in November, 2011. He is a co-author of the Best-selling book “HR Here and Now” (SAGE Publications).
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Harish was honoured with the “Exemplary Leader Award” as part of the Employer Branding Awards, India 2007 (recognising excellence in Human Resources) and with the “Most Talented Coaching Leader” award at the World Coaching Congress 2017.
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Harish's current focus is to :-
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( i ) Coach Senior Executives, Entrepreneurs and High potential leaders to help them become better and more effective in their leadership and managerial roles
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( ii ) Guide and steer companies in the pursuit of their vision and objectives
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