Gulf Petrochem has appointed Thangapandian Srinivasalu as the executive director for the group and member of the board of directors effective immediately.

Srinivasalu had previously held the position of CEO for Marketing and IST at Essar Oil.

Ashok Goel, chairman of Gulf Petrochem, said: “Thangapandian joins our family-owned business with the same values that puts a priority on people and his vision for a modern, innovative and globalised oil company is what will keep Gulf Petrochem at the forefront of its industry.”

In his previous role Srinivasalu assumed overall responsibility of crude procurement for the 20 MMTA (Million Metric Tonnes per Annum) Essar refinery in India. He also established an Essar marketing network of over 1,400 operational retail outlets and helped consolidate Essar’s position as the largest private sector network in the country in his responsibility to market the 20 MMTPA products from the refinery.

Joining Gulf Petrochem, he will be driving the company’s growth into new territories that includes Far East, East Africa and consolidation in the Gulf and Indian subcontinent. The growth will come from mergers and acquisitions and organic growth, especially in the local UAE and Indian markets where Gulf Petrochem has a leading position.

In managing the growth, Srinivasalu will also be responsible for uniting the six Gulf Petrochem divisions (in refining, storage terminals, trading & bunkering, bitumen and grease manufacturing and shipping and logistics) under a single system that will optimise business processes and enable trading across borders and departments.

He joins Ashok Goel; Sudhir Goyel, managing director; and group directors Manan Goel and Prerit Goel on the Gulf Petrochem board. - TradeArabia News Service