By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Universal Corp. appointed Anubhav Mittal as SVP and CFO, effective Feb. 17, 2026.
- Mittal most recently served as CFO of ADM Nutrition, an approximately $8 billion business segment of Archer Daniels Midland.
- Current CFO Johan C. Kroner will retire on Feb. 17 and remain with Universal as an advisor until July 1, 2026.
Universal Corporation said it has appointed Anubhav Mittal as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective Feb. 17, 2026, concluding the company’s previously announced CFO search.
Mittal brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning finance, corporate strategy, and business transformation across global consumer products, agriculture, and ingredients businesses, the company said.
Most recently, Mittal served as CFO of ADM Nutrition, Archer Daniels Midland’s approximately $8 billion global nutrition, flavors and ingredients business, overseeing financial strategy, portfolio management and growth initiatives across multiple geographies.
Universal said Mittal also held several senior roles at ADM, including CFO of its Global Pet Solutions business and Global Head of Business Development and M&A. Prior to joining ADM, Mittal spent four years at Kellogg in senior finance, corporate development and strategy roles.
“Anubhav joins Universal as a proven finance executive and global business leader with a strong track record of strategic execution and value creation,” said Preston D. Wigner, Universal’s chairman, president and CEO, adding that Mittal’s background will support strategy across Universal’s tobacco and ingredients businesses.
Mittal said he was “honored” to join Universal and looked forward to working with senior leadership and the board “to help Universal deliver meaningful value (to) our shareholders and other stakeholders.”
Universal said Johan C. Kroner will retire as CFO effective Feb. 17, 2026, and remain a Senior Vice President until July 1, 2026, serving as an advisor to Wigner and supporting the CFO transition.
