Zinnia Huq

About

Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director of Unilever Bangladesh since 2023, having joined the company in 2019 and led the acquisition of GSK's consumer healthcare business, a transaction of more than 2,000 crore taka. She spent five years as Finance Director of GSK Bangladesh and earlier held finance roles at British American Tobacco, including Finance Controller for Bangladesh and regional operations finance across Asia-Pacific. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and read Finance at the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.

Expertise

Experience

1. CFO and Finance Director- Bangladesh

   Unilever

   2023 — PresentBangladesh

2. Director- Finance Excellence and BPC Finance

   Unilever

   2021 — 2023Dhaka, Bangladesh

   In this role I was leading the performance management of the organisation as well as supporting the 2 largest business units: Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care in landing their business strategy. I was also responsible for landing pricing methodologies and for brand investments attribution to growth across all Business Units. I oversaw innovations across the organisation and effectively managed overheads.

3. Director- Financial Controls and M&A

   Unilever

   2020 — 2021

   In this role, I integrated the newly acquired Consumer Healthcare business into the Unilever platforms through a shared services platform between the 2 entities thus facilitating seamless decision making, technology adaptation and resource optimisation. I further set up the performance management dashboard across the company, while leading the controller's function.

4. Head - Finance Controls and M&A

   Unilever

   2019 — 2020Dhaka, Bangladesh

   In this role I led the acquisition of the GSK Consumer Healthcare business. This was a BDT 2000cr+ transaction on the Dhaka Stock Exchange- the largest on market transaction in the history of the Exchange. My core responsibilities included being responsible for financial reporting and controls, treasury, accounts payable and corporate overheads. During this time I started to chair the Diversity and Inclusion Council of the organisation.

5. Finance Director- GSK Bangladesh

   GSK

   2014 — 2019Dhaka

   In this role I was responsible for reporting and governance around statutory financials, risk management programs, procurement processes, legal support and IT functions for the GSK entity in the country. Additionally the role reported into the Africa + Developing Countries Cluster (based in London) & responsible for the pharmaceutical business performance in Bangladesh. In 2015, the role double hatted the Integration lead for implementing the global GSK-NVS 3 part transaction in the local market. Under this role I was the project manager for developing the 5 year pharma business unit's strategy. During 2016-17, I was the project sponsor for the SAP implementation in Bangladesh which was completed on time with full delivery. Over 2018-2019 I spearheaded the restructure of GSK business in Bangladesh while ensuring the continuity of the Consumer Healthcare business.

6. Finance Controller- BAT Bangladesh

   British American Tobacco

   2012 — 2014Dhaka Bangladesh

   In this role I was responsible for delivering key business and financial results through leading the teams in financial planning & reporting, tax & treasury and statutory financials. The role directly interacted with other senior management and board members to ensure smooth integration of business assumptions, key drivers to enable delivery and keep external stakeholders on board with business & industry development. Under this role, I contributed to overall Finance talent pipeline development and worked towards maintaining a congenial work environment & culture at BATB. In 2013 my teams were also heavily involved in the transition to OneSAP which went live smoothly from January 2014.

7. Regional Manufacturing Manager- ASPAC

   British American Tobacco

   2011 — 2011Singapore

   Under this role I was responsible for the financials under manufacturing processes across the Region, including Regional capital expenditures. I was also leading the operating finance team of the Singapore Factory, a first-mover toll factory leading innovations in Asia Pacific, and was responsible for the entity's cashflow and P&L.

8. Regional Operations Finance Manager- Projects (International Assignment)

   British American Tobacco

   2010 — 2011Singapore

   Under this role I led the finance workstreams of multiple above market Supply Chain projects (with an objective of remodelling operations across the Region which would enhance shareholder value for the Group). I further led the 5-year strategy review for operations in Asia Pacific.

9. Operations Finance Manager (Head of Operations Finance)

   British American Tobacco

   2007 — 2010Dhaka

   I led the operations finance team in BAT Bangladesh, which was responsible for end-to-end supply chain financials. This includes product costing, working capital management, capital investment, price negotiations & analysis, logistics finance, operations controls, KPI reportings, operations cashflow management and regional & local reportings.

10. Supply Chain Finance Manager

    British American Tobacco

    2006 — 2007Dhaka, Bangladesh

11. Senior Internal Auditor

    British American Tobacco

    2004 — 2006

12. Deputy Treasury Manager

    British American Tobacco

    2001 — 2004

13. Assistant Manager Corporate Finance

    British American Tobacco

    2001 — 2001