Ashok Ramachandran to join Aditya Birla Group as group executive president – group human resources

The move comes after his successful stint, with Vodafone India, of over six years.

Ashok Ramachandran who recently called it quits at Vodafone, is all set to join the Aditya Birla Group as group executive president – group human resources. Sources close to the development have confirmed the news to HRKatha. He will take over the position vacated by HR Shashikant, who moved to Novelis in May 2015 as CHRO.

An internal communique has been sent to the senior employees of the Aditya Birla Group on this development.

Ramachandran, director, human resources, Vodafone India, is currently serving his notice period and will be with the company till September. At Vodafone he will be replaced by Suvamoy Roy Choudhury, who moves from Reckitt Benckiser. 

He will take his new role on or before October 1. Based out of Mumbai, Ramachandran will report Santrupt Misra, director, HR&CEO, Carbon Black business.

The CHROs of pulp & fibre, chemicals, apparels & retail, mining, textiles, overseas spinning and acrylic fibre, trading, solar power and ecommerce will have a solid line reporting to him with a dotted line reporting to their respective directors, business heads and CEOs.

He will assist the HR director, periodically in redefining and reviewing HR strategy for the group to achieve a leading edge of HR practices and contribute effectively to the ‘One HR’ transformation journey.   

Ramachandran who spent a good six and a half years at Vodafone India, is an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur. He began his career with Asian Paints, as a personal assistant. In the 11 odd years that he spent there, he grew to become a factory manager.

He moved to GE Money as VP-HR in 2000, to complete a successful stint of two years. In 2002, he joined TATA AIG Life as Sr VP-HR, and spent a good six years there.