Mahindra & Mahindra has announced the appointment of Dr. Pawan Goenka as Executive Director, the first such appointment to the Board since 1992. He will now be designated Executive Director and President (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors).
Commenting on this appointment, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, said: “Pawan has played an integral role in transforming the group’s automotive product development capabilities, and has provided growth and strategic direction to both automotive and tractor businesses. I am confident that he will add tremendous value to the Board by providing fresh insights and invaluable guidance on key issues facing the company.”
Said Dr. Pawan Goenka: “I am truly honoured and delighted to join the Mahindra Board. I am fortunate to have been guided by one of the most respected Boards in the country, and have worked with an excellent team in my 20 years at Mahindra. I look forward to the future with a greater sense of responsibility, and will strive to contribute my best to meet the long-term aspirations of all stakeholders”.
Dr. Goenka joined M&M in 1993 as General Manager (R&D) and made the company’s Auto Sector R&D into a potent product development organization. He was responsible for the development of several new products, including the iconic Scorpio SUV. He became Executive Vice President – Product Development in September 2001 and, was promoted to the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Automotive Sector in April 2003. In September 2005 he was appointed President (Automotive Sector) and in April 2010 he became President (Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors).
Dr. Goenka is a Mechanical Engineer with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and a Ph.D. from Cornell University, USA. He has also done the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at the Harvard Business School, USA.
He joined M&M in October 1993 as General Manager R&D after 14 years of experience at General Motors, USA, in various capacities in R&D. Under his leadership M&M R&D launched a slew of new products, such as PikUp, Marshal, Armada 98, Bolero, Load King, etc. His most acknowledged contribution, both within the company and outside, is his leadership of the Scorpio project, which brought laurels to M&M both in India and abroad.
Currently, Dr. Goenka is the Chairman of the Ssangyong Motor Company, Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturers, Mahindra USA, Mahindra Reva, Mahindra Heavy Engines, Mahindra South Africa and Swaraj Automotives.