Amritanshu Khaitan to be director of all Williamson Magor firms

Decision follows demise of non-exec vice-chairman Deepak Khaitan; currently Amritanshu is only on Eveready's board

In the wake of Williamson Magor Group's non-executive vice-chairman Deepak Khaitan's demise, the boards of the group companies are set to be restructured, as a part of which his son Amritanshu will have board representation in all the companies.

Eveready Managing Director Amritanshu Khaitan, who was so far only in the board of the battery-maker, is likely to be inducted on the board of group's plantation company, McLeod Russel India. He is also likely to join the board of two other group companies -- Kilburn Engineering Limited and McNally Bharat Engineering Company Limited.

“The idea is both Aditya Khaitan, younger son of Brij Mohan Khaitan, and Amritanshu Khaitan to have board representation in all companies. Aditya Khaitan is already on the boards of all the companies. Now, following Deepak Khaitan's death. Amritangshu too will have representation in all group companies' board,” a source said.

Amritanshu Khaitan, who joined Eveready in August 2011 as executive director soon after graduating from the London Business School and has been spearheading day-to-day operation of the dry-cell battery maker since then. On the other hand, McLeod Russel -- world's largest bulk tea producer -- all these yaers is being run by Deepak's brother Aditya Khaitan, younger son of Brij Mohan Khaitan.

While their father, Brij Mohan Khaitan, continues to be the non-executive chairman of all the group companies; his eldest son Deepak Khaitan used to serve as the non-executive vice-chairman of all the group companies.

Despite this board restructing there is unlikely to be any change in key area of functioning for both Aditya Khaitan and Amritanshu Kahitan as they will continue to spearhead the day to day function of Mcleoed Russel and Eveready, respectively as managing directors. Amritanshu Kahitan, however, may assume the post executive vice-chairman in Eveready as part of the broad rejig.

“Kilburn Engineering and McNally Bharat Engineering, on the other hand, will continue to be run by the professionals as it is the case now,” the source added.

Deepak Kahitan, the eldest son of Brij Mohan Khaitan, who is best known for the acquisition of the Eveready brand from the Union Carbide and restoring the group's famed status as world's largest bulk tea producer, died on March 10 after a prolonged spell of illness.