Mr. S. M. Datta was Chairman of Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) (presently known as Hindustan Unilever  Limited) as well as all Unilever companies in India and Nepal from 1990 to 1996. He joined HLL as a Management Trainee in 1956 after completing his university education in Chemical Engineering. He is a Past President of Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry and The Council of EU Chamber of Commerce in India, Past President of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry and of Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association and Past Chairman of Bombay First.