Cipla Ltd has appointed Sameer Goel as country head - India with effect from January 20, 2014, according to a company statement. Goel will be reporting to the managing director and global CEO Subhanu Saxena.
Prior to the new appointment, Goel worked with GSK Consumer Healthcare Africa as vice-president and general manager. He also served as a vice-president of sales, and managing director of Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Ltd and managing director and director of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria plc.
"Sameer brings a keen sensibility and understanding of the India market, and drivers for success in this market. This, combined with his strong reputation for managing teams for stakeholders - both external and internal - makes him well placed to lead our India business into its next level of growth," Saxena said in the statement.
Goel did his graduation in Economics from St. Stephen's College, New Delhi and then MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
"Cipla has been a pioneer in the healthcare industry ensuring access to high quality and affordable medicines, thus being a support apparatus for millions of patients across the world. It will be a great privilege and honour for me to be a part of the Cipla team and I look forward to an exciting journey that lies ahead of us," Goel said.
In the recent past, the drug major witnessed several senior management level changes. Saxena, who joined the company as CEO in February 2013, was given additional responsibilities of Managing Director and global chief executive in mid-July. Cipla’s board appointed MK Hamied as executive vice-chairman, effective mid-July. In the same month, the company also appointed Ashok Sinha as an additional director on the company’s board.
Mumbai-based Cipla, which was founded in 1935, has a turnover of $1.5 billion and presence in over 170 countries, including the US, Japan and Australia. The company reported revenue of Rs 2,512 crore for Q2 FY14 and PAT of Rs 358 crore.