Two of the most crucial are that of executive director-marketing at tyre flagship Ceat, and president of International Computers India (ICIL), the group's software arm, which has seen its fortunes leapfrog in recent months.

The group has made a coup of sorts by roping in Lal C Singh, one of the pillars of Tata Consultancy Services, as the head of ICIL. Singh was the senior vice-president at TCS responsible for product development, and one of the main drivers of India's largest software company.

Singh is expected to guide ICIL, subsidiary of Fujitsu-ICIM in which Jardine Fleming has a 25.1 per cent stake, through the ongoing software boom.

The other major recruitment is that of Sashi Mudgal, the former chief executive of Arvind Mills' European operations, as the new executive director-marketing of Ceat.

The crucial slotat Ceat had fallen vacant with Jal Khodaiji being redesignated to take up an important position in the RPG group's retail operations.

Group sources, however, chose to remain tightlipped on Khodaiji's new assignment, but added: "The RPG group is exploring some new opportunities in retailing, the feasibility study for which is currently on. Khodaiji will be playing an important role in this foray if we decide to go ahead with our plans."

It is learnt that Khodaiji, an old MRF hand, will be reporting to Pradeep K Mohapatra, the group's retail business division head. Unconfirmed sources say that Khodaiji could be heading RPG Music International's overseas operations.

Ceat has also decided to create two new positions who would be reporting to Mudgal as with the auto industry faced with a major recession, it has become crucial for the company to evolve innovative marketing strategies.

While AK Singh, who has earlier had a stint with Apollo Tyres, has joined as the new general manager-sales, the search iscurrently on for the position of general manager-marketing.

Another important change in the group's diverse operations is Venky Pavoor, the former executive director of Ficom Organics, joining RPG-BTP as president. The RPG group, as part of its decision to get out of non-core businesses, has recently diluted its stake in RPG-BTP to just around 20 per cent.

Another chief executive to have joined the group in recent weeks is Vijay Sachdev, the former CEO of Bharat Forge. Sachdev has joined the transmission powerhouse KEC International as vice president-materials.