Bata India appoints Rajeev Gopalakrishnan as new Managing Director

MUMBAI: Footwear and accessories maker Bata India today said Rajeev Gopalakrishnan has been appointed as the company's new Managing Director with effect from October 1, 2011.

Gopalakrishnan will take over from Marcelo Villagran, who has been promoted to the position of Group Managing Director to look after the business of the entire region in the 'Bata Emerging Markets'.

"Marcelo Villagran, therefore, will be resigning from his current position as the Managing Director of the company with effect from September 30, 2011," the company said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Gopalakrishnan has been working with Villagran for the past seven months to ensure continuity and smooth transition for achieving the business plans of Bata India as well as that of Bata Shoe Organization (BSO), the filing said.

Gopalakrishnan has been the Managing Director of Bata Thailand and Bata Bangladesh.

The company's scrip closed at Rs 694.65 apiece on BSE, down 1.55 per cent from its previous close.