Kewal Handa takes over as Pfizer MD

After a gap of almost 16 years, an Indian is back at the helm of affairs at Pfizer India. The US-based multinational today appointed Kewal Handa, director-finance as the company's new managing director. The post was vacant after Hocine Sidi Said resigned in early March 2005.

Kewal Handa told Business Standard, "I am looking forward to be taking over as the MD". Handa has been with Pfizer in various capacities for the last 15 years. He was the finance director of Pfizer India Ltd since 1996.

A post-graduate in commerce, he is a member and vice-chairman of the Pricing Committee of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and is also on the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Committee of the CII.

A sector analyst with a domestic broking firm said, "It's a positive development for Pfizer as Handa is prudent with Indian markets." Handa was last year conferred with the India CFO Award 2004 - 'Excellence in Finance in an MNC' by Indian Management Association.

Hocine Sidi Said had spent four years in India and over 19 years with the parent company. His career-graph saw him posted as country manager in several countries such as Denmark, Egypt and Indonesia.

In India, Sidi Said's tenure witnessed the merger with Parke-Davis (India) and Pharmacia.