BS People: P Balaji

Man in control - Sony Ericsson's new MD

Sony Ericsson, known for its Walkman series handsets and striving for a leadership position in the Android-based mobile phone space, has appointed P Balaji as the managing director for its Indian operations.

Balaji, who joins Sony Ericsson from Ericsson India, where he was vice-president for business development, corporate affairs and communications, has also overseen marketing, strategy and technical solutions at Ericsson India earlier. Before Ericsson, he worked at AT&T, Lucent India and the Tata group and brings with him an experience of 18 years. He will assume his new role from July 1.

Being an expert of the Indian telecom sector, he would be expected to play a key role in Sony Ericsson’s long-term growth, besides strengthening relationships with local operators, retailers and consumers.

An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad who holds an electronics engineering degree from IIT Roorkee, Balaji is confident about his new role.

He is based out of Delhi and has interests in music and sports. He has also been associated with several taskforces and expert groups set up by the Department of Telecommunications and Planning Commission on policy matters, besides serving as a member of the National Council for CII and Assocham and a co-chairman of the CII and Assocham convergence/ telecom national sub-committees.