VSNL sets up apex body decision-making

Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL), a part of the $29 billion Tata Group, has set up an apex decision-making body, Global Management Committee (GMC), that will formulate strategies, bring in consensus and increase transparency.

"The formation of GMC is in line with the Tata Group's philosophy of a consensual style of decision-making. It also reflects the company's desire to get possible inputs from across the world," a senior company executive said.

This move also reflected the company's globalisation plans, even as it was one of the major Indian companies with presence across various geographies such as the US, Sri Lanka, Nepal and South Africa, he added.

The telecom and internet major has set up a seven-member team comprising senior management personnel, headed by its managing director N Srinath.

The other members include Vinod Kumar, president, global data and mobility solutions, VSNL, Michel Guyot, Head of VSNL's global voice business, John Hayduk, CTO, VSNL, Rajiv Dhar CFO, VSNL, Srinivasa Addepalli, vice-president, corporate strategy and Sandeep Mathur, head of corporate affairs, M R Madhusudhan, chief officer, global operations, VSNL, and Govind Sankaranarayanan, CFO, VSNL International.

GMC is being positioned a tier below the VSNL managing director and would give critical inputs across functions in the company.

Over 4,000 foreign nationals are working with the company, with about 25 per cent stationed outside the Indian shores.

Michel Guyot and John Hayduk are foreign nationals, with Guyot joining the company after its acquisition of Teleglobe. Guyot heads the company's global voice business, which is managed out of Canada since a majority of voice traffic emanates from Teleglobe.