Essar telecom biz head joins Mahindra Holidays

Essar’s telecom business head Rajiv Sawhney has resigned to join Mahindra Holidays as its chief executive. Sawhney will take over from Ramesh Ramanathan, the current CEO of Mahindra Holidays, before May 15.

Ramanathan will head Mahindra group’s initiative to set up hospitality schools. He also resigned as member of the board of directors, with effect from April 30. “Ramesh helped us develop the family business, which helped us build Mahindra Holidays & Resorts,” said Arun Nanda, chairman, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts.

Sawhney, an Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore alumnus, has 29 years’ experience in fast moving consumer goods and telecom. “Sawhney’s past experience will add great value to the organisation and we are certain that he will take Mahindra Holidays to greater heights,” said Nanda.

Essar group spokesperson did not comment on who would head the group’s telecom business. Essar group has 33 per cent stake in India’s second-largest telecom company, Vodafone Essar, and 9.9 per cent stake in Loop Telecom.

It also has operations in Kenya, Uganda and Congo.